6 Must-See Auckland Neighborhoods and How to Visit

Historic Queen Street, aka the Golden Mile, cuts through the heart of downtown Auckland to Viaduct Harbour. Explore Queens Wharf, perhaps stopping by the New Zealand Maritime Museum. Then if you’re traveling elsewhere, head to the nearby Britomart Transport Centre, and board a ferry, train, or bus to your next destination. 

If designer shops, jewelers, art galleries, and top-notch restaurants are what you’re after, this stylish suburb is the place to go. A popular sightseeing stop on hop-on hop-off bus tours, Parnell is also home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Wintergardens, and the Parnell Rose Garden.

Adjacent to St. Mary’s Bay and the Viaduct Basin, this newer district at the Auckland waterfront underwent a major revitalization project. Today, the neighborhood draws visitors to its seafood restaurants, Auckland Fish Market, and Silo Park, which hosts summer events and offers views of the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Westhaven Marina (home to the America’s Cup).

Featured on the itineraries of many wine-and-food tours, Ponsonby Road is the main artery of this diverse neighborhood. Starting from the market stalls and eclectic shops of Ponsonby Central, enjoy a leisurely stroll in search of chic cafés, hip boutiques, and plenty of bars and eateries.   

Visitors marvel at the view of the city skyline across the harbor from charming Devonport. Catch the Devonport ferry from Auckland, then wander the shops and harborfront park in one of the city’s oldest suburbs.

Sculpture gardens, art galleries, gorgeous beaches, and world-class wineries are just some of the reasons to visit Waiheke, perfect for a day trip or longer stay. Across the Hauraki Gulf, the island is a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown, but feels like another world.