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What to see in Auckland in 1 day | 7 must-sees
Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and although it is not the capital, it is home to approximately one third of the country's total population. It is known as "the city of sails» due to its important port and the passion of the Kiwis for sailing. It is the economic and cultural center of the country and if you travel to New Zealand almost certainly this will be your first stop. To give you a good first contact with the country we share with you The best things to see in Auckland in 1 day.
We couldn't resist and added 2 places on the outskirts of Auckland which you can reach by private vehicle in less than an hour. Whether you have more than one day or you don't like cities and prefer natural landscapes, you will surely be interested in these recommendations.
Itinerary of 1 day – What to see in Auckland
Due to the historical importance of the city and its large size, there are quite a few places What to see in Auckland and surrounding areasBut since you've probably just arrived from a very long international flight, it's best not to opencar Too many things to see and do, so start with a relaxed plan to see Auckland in one day, before you begin exploring New Zealand by car or camper van for rent.
The most accessible area of the city is the Central Business District (CBD) which is basically the city center and where the iconic places to see in Auckland are concentrated before starting your route through New Zealand.
Do you already know what they are? List the 15 best places What to see on New Zealand's North Island
1. Viaduct Harbor and Wynyard Quarter
Start the day with a pleasant walk along the sea in the port area, which is especially beautiful on a sunny day. In the morning, it is one of the areas where most people gather for sports and walking, and you can walk around the whole area.
You can start from the building Ferry Building Located on the Auckland Waterfront, passing through the Viaduct Harbour and reaching the Wynyard Quarter, from where you have good views of the city skyline.
If your visit to Auckland coincides with the weekend, you can return to the Viaduct Harbour area at night. There are many bars and restaurants, making it one of the liveliest areas of the city.
2. Queen Street
This is Auckland's quintessential shopping street. We stayed right next to it on both occasions we were in the city and walked along it many times. This important commercial axis connects the sea with the beautiful Auckland Town Hall building.
It is a rather curious street because the lower part is full of luxury brands and as you go along the street it starts to deteriorate with many small food shops, souvenir shops and even closed shops. Our visit coincided with the street being under construction which perhaps contributes to its more decadent appearance.
Best places on Queen Street
Queen Street is lined with historic buildings that now house shops and offices, many of the most interesting buildings things to see in Auckland in 1 day are here. Take note of the places you will see if you go from the port to the city hall:
- Britomart railway station: Station built inside the baroque building that housed the old Central Post Office.
- Vulcan lane: It is a charming little pedestrian alley where many cafes and restaurants are concentrated.
- The Civic: Built in 1929 to be the country's first cinema, it is currently the city's most famous theatre. It has a unique interior design that stands out for its soft roof that floats over the auditorium, allowing for a starry sky effect.
- Aotea Square: This square in front of the town hall always has a lot of young people's atmosphere. It is very common to find exhibitions of different kinds.
- Auckland City Council: One of the most beautiful neo-baroque buildings in the city. It is home to Auckland Philharmonic concerts and the Town Hall organ, the largest instrument in the country.
3. Sky Tower – The most famous building to see in Auckland in 1 day
I would dare say that no tourist travels to New Zealand for its cities, but if there is any emblematic building of the country and that is known worldwide is the Sky Tower. The telecommunications tower is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere and is located in the heart of Auckland.
Although it can be seen from almost any point in the city, thanks to its height of 328 metres, it is worth going up to its feet. What's more, if you are not satisfied with seeing it from below, you can also visit it from the top of the mountain. You can go up to its viewing point, where you can have a coffee, eat something or even try the skyjump, the most adrenaline-pumping activity to do in Auckland.
4. Auckland Art Gallery
To get to know the most important city in the country well, there is nothing like visiting one of its museums. We opted for the Auckland Art GalleryNot only does it have an interesting and complete exhibition with international and local works, but it is located in the center of the city, access is free and the building is beautiful.
Personally, the best thing about the museum is being able to see some Maori works since they are not at all common to find in other museums in large cities, and even less so with free admission.
5. Albert Park
One of the best things about New Zealand's cities and towns is that they are full of green spaces and beautifully maintained parks where you can stroll, practicecar Whether you're looking to play sports or simply relax on the grass in the sun, Albert Park is a great example. In this park, you'll find several statues of historical figures, a fountain surrounded by flowers, and some old wooden buildings. During our time in Auckland, we loved going to Albert Park to sit and enjoy some takeaway food.
The most notable thing about this park, apart from its gardens, are the buildings that surround it, such as the art gallery we just talked about, the Clock Tower of the University of Auckland and the former Governor's House.
6. Auckland Domain – The best green area to see in Auckland in 1 day
Since we're talking about parks and green spaces, we can't forget to recommend a visit to Ackland Domain. We have a carI have a special fondness for this huge historical park because it's where we bought our campervan to travel around New Zealand. Many locals and tourists explore this park, which has small trails like the Lover's Walk that They make you forget that you are in a city for a few minutes.
There are two particularly popular areas in the Ackland Domain that you cannot miss, the Wintergardens and the Auckland War Memorial MuseumThe first of them is a set of two beautiful glass greenhouses separated by a fountain. Inside you will find a large collection of tropical plants and flowers.
The museum is housed in a large neoclassical building and, despite its name, it doesn't just have military exhibits but houses a wide variety of exhibits on many different topics. Entry costs $32 and is one of the best things to do in Auckland, especially when it's raining.
7. Mount Eden Viewpoint
There are around 50 ancient volcanoes in Auckland and Mount Eden is the most famous of them all. Its importance is due to the fact that it was a sacred place for the Maori who inhabited this area before British colonization. In fact, the volcano is still sacred, so its crater cannot be accessed, which is why it is perfectly preserved without any paths or buildings inside.
This crater is The best viewpoint to see in Auckland And it's worth making the climb; it will take you between 30 and 45 minutes, and you could read along the way. carTVs show the Maori history of this place. From above you can appreciate the amazing volcanic crater and the entire skyline of the city.
7+1. Piha Beach and other places around Auckland
Although this is an article about things to see in Auckland, we are going to cheat a little by recommending a place that is not in the city. If, like us, You are more of nature than asphalt And if you want to start exploring its natural wonders from the moment you arrive in New Zealand, we recommend going to Piha Beach, one of the beaches we liked the most in the entire country.
Also don't stop doing the Mercer Bay Loop Walk, a 3-kilometer trail with spectacular views of cliffs and black sand beaches. In addition, there are many paths through native forest in the area to reach small waterfalls such as Kitekite Falls.
Another interesting stop very close to Auckland is the Muriwai Beach, where apart from being able to see many surfers, you can also observe a unique spectacle. Between the months of October and March you can see a large colony of gannets, a bird with a wingspan of 1,8 metres which nests in very inaccessible places and this is one of the best in the world to see them.
In October, the first couples begin to arrive to build their nests and lay their eggs, which hatch in November. From then until March, the adults constantly come and go to these rocks, trying to bring food for their chicks.
Where sleep in Auckland
We stayed in two different accommodations in Auckland, one when we arrived in the country and another 3 months later, shortly before we left. Both were in the city center and coincidentally were among the cheapest in the city. If we had to choose between them we stay with him Choice Backpackers, located just 1 minute from Auckland Art Gallery and The Civic Theatre and 5 minutes from City Hall and Albert Park.
We had practically all the points of interest in this article within easy reach. We stayed in a double room and despite not having the best rating in Booking We thought it had a great quality-price ratio.
Other good ones budget accommodation in the center of the city are the Kiwi International Hotel and the Gamma Hotel.
Getting around Auckland in 1 day
Despite being a large city, most of the points of interest to see in Auckland They are in the downtown area of the city and can be visited on foot. If you need to go to a more distant point you can use the bus system; you can find the lines and timetables on Google Maps. You can pay directly with your credit card.
How to get from Auckland Airport to the city centre
It is very likely that when you arrive whether you pick up your car or camper for rent, but if not, here are the different options you have to get from Auckland Airport to the city centre.
- Public transport: First you need to take the orange AirportLink bus line to Puhinui train station and from there take a train to Auckland Central. It usually takes 1 hours and costs around 6 NZD.
- Shuttle Bus: : Common service at many airports, in this case operated by the company Skydrive, costs 20NZD per person, takes about 40 minutes and makes a single stop in the city center.
- Uber: We used it when we arrived in Auckland early in the morning due to a delay and paid 56NZD. The pick-up point is just past the airport car park.
- Private ShuttleTypical pickup service where the driver waits for you with a carPhone with your name. When purchasing the flight through Booking They sent us an offer and it cost us €25. You can check the price of a private shuttle in Auckland.
We hope this Guide to the 7 best places to see in Auckland in 1 day It will help you plan your first few hours in the country and enjoy the city. If you have any questions or recommendations, we'll be happy to hear them in the comments!
To continue preparing your trip you can read our other articles. New Zealand, and if you're moving soon, take a look at how to work in New Zealand.
