Auckland Itinerary | Where to Eat, Stay and Play
Image: View of Auckland Harbour from Intercontinental Hotel in Auckland
Auckland is often seen as a fly-in, fly-out city, a place where you land before heading off to Waiheke, the Bay of Islands, or Queenstown. But stay a few days and the city reveals itself as a unique, small city filled with interesting local architecture, and a dining scene that’s genuinely world-class.
This three-day itinerary is an insider's guide to all of Auckland’s must-see regions, each with their own distinctive appeal. Explore charming coastal wineries, thought-provoking local art exhibitions, and dine on the waterfront at some of Auckland’s best restaurants.
3-4 Day Auckland Itinerary
Day One | Explore Auckland’s Art Galleries
Start your morning in the heart of the city with a visit to the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. The building itself is striking, with glass and timber rising from a 19th-century stone base. And the collection moves from the big names (Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian) to powerful works by Māori and Pacific artists that speak directly to New Zealand’s history and culture. It’s the kind of gallery that invites unhurried wandering, and an early arrival will help you skip the crowds.
From there, walk down through High Street and Fort Lane to Britomart, where brunch awaits. Ortolana, The Store and Amano all serve excellent espresso alongside eggs, pastries, and light, beautifully plated dishes. Each with an aesthetic setting that’s casual enough for a relaxing morning getting caught up in the latest newspaper.
Spend midday browsing the boutiques around Britomart and Commercial Bay. Here you’ll find New Zealand’s best fashion designers, including Maggie Marilyn, Wynn Hamlyn, and Karen Walker, alongside international luxury heavy-hitters like Van-Cleef & Arpels, and Louis Vuitton at the bottom of Queen Street.
Everything is walkable, and the precinct’s design is worthy of your time, with heritage brickwork facades, stone laneways, and stylish storefronts that make shopping feel more like a city stroll than a retail mission.
By mid-afternoon, pause for a glass of wine at Somm, a smart, minimalist bar tucked at the entrance to Princes Wharf. The list leans local, the mood is relaxed, and it’s an easy place to reset before the evening stretch.
Alternatively, head to Queens Rooftop Bar, located above Commercial Bay, hidden at the back of a wine shop. A private elevator delivers you straight to some of the city’s most impressive views, with standout seafood platters, a well-stocked raw bar, and some stellar margaritas.
Finally, catch the sunset at the Viaduct and walk toward Wynyard Quarter, where the city slips into a slower gear. This stretch of waterfront is especially calm in the late afternoon, when the sun goes down behind the Auckland Harbour Bridge and the marina turns golden.
Watch the footbridge lift for a passing yacht or settle in for dinner at one of the Viaduct’s standout restaurants, Bivacco, for Italian classics, or Hello Beasty, a bold waterfront spot serving modern Asian plates worth sharing.
Day 2 | Wineries on Waiheke Island
Catch the morning ferry to Waiheke Island. The Fullers 360 departs from downtown Auckland and travels across the Hauraki Gulf (past the Auckland Harbour Bridge) in under 40 minutes. Waiheke Island is an absolute must for first timers in Auckland, lined with quaint coastal wineries, and olive groves.
Book a small-group tour with Ananda Tours or The Waiheke Wine Tour, ideal if you want someone else to take care of the driving (and the wine math). Start at Tantalus Estate, where the architecture is striking and the wines are equally as impressive. Beneath the tasting room, a working brewery gives beer enthusiasts a chance for a bonus tasting.
Images: The Heke Brewery on Waiheke Island
Next, head to Mudbrick. An island classic that’s consistently ranked among Waiheke’s top wineries and restaurants. Set in terraced gardens and housed in a Tuscan-style villa, it offers long lunches with sea views and a refined, white-tablecloth menu. For something more relaxed, The Heke serves wood-fired pizzas, and house-brewed beers. It’s spacious, unfussy, and great for groups or families, with lawn games and plenty of room to roam.
If you’re not rushing back to the city, stay the night. Waiheke slows down in the late afternoon, ferries thin, the beaches clear, and the locals head out to enjoy the restaurants free from the crowds.
Where to stay in Waiheke
Blackpool House and Loft
Just outside Oneroa, this architectural stay balances privacy with proximity. Natural timber floors, and sun-drenched mid-century modern interiors. A stylish home away from home that’ll inspire your next renovation.
Workroom Waiheke
A hilltop cabin with gorgeous french-countryside interiors. With a cozy fireplace, timber framed ceilings, and a private pool that looks out over sweeping sea views. It’s the kind of place you want to arrive, sit down, and stay put for a while.
If you’re staying over, catch the Fullers 360 ferry back the next morning. If not, return to Auckland in time for dinner, or keep things quiet and order in. There’s a kind of fullness you carry back from Waiheke that doesn’t always need a second act.
Day Three | Hobbiton Tour
Leave early for a full-day escape into the countryside. It’s a two-hour drive to Matamata, home of the Hobbiton Movie Set, a detour that's completely worthwhile. Even if you’re not a fan of the films, there’s something disarmingly charming about it.
The set has been left intact in all its detail. With blooming vegetables, picket fences, overflowing flowers, perfectly painted hobbit holes, and laundry fluttering from miniature clotheslines. It’s cottage-core in the best kind of way.
The tour finishes at the Green Dragon Inn, where you’ll sip ale or ginger beer beside a roaring fire or in the flower-framed courtyard. From there, drive back via Cambridge, a small town lined with plane trees and old villas. Stop for lunch at Alpino, a light-filled Italian spot with house-made pasta, a well-priced wine list, and a relaxed, unpretentious setting.
Back in Auckland by late afternoon, head to the spa at the Sofitel or Park Hyatt for a final reset. Both offer wellness spaces with indoor pools, saunas, and steam rooms. We recommend trying one of their facials, or let the afternoon drift away with a post-road trip massage. It’s restorative, completely relaxing, and a perfect way to finish a long day.
For dinner, go out with a bang with a final table at Ada. Located in Ponsonby, an area of Auckland renowned for its dining and bars, the former convent provides a moody, intimate dinner setting, with a menu of contemporary bistro-style mains.
Optional Day Four | A Day in Matakana
If you’ve got an extra day, head north to Matakana. Just over an hours drive from the CBD, this quiet countryside town runs at a much slower pace than the city, and is one of Auckland’s best day trips. With roadside produce stands, orchard-lined streets, and quiet beaches that feel empty even in summer.
Start your morning at the Matakana Farmers’ Market (Saturdays only), where stalls cluster beneath old trees beside the river. There’s fresh sourdough, handmade cheese, orchard peaches, pastries, and proper coffee, all from the region's best artisans and producers.
Next, head to Brick Bay Wines & Sculpture Trail, where a modernist glass pavilion floats over a lake, and a 2km trail winds through native bush and vineyards, dotted with striking local sculptures.
Stay for lunch at the winery. The menu features ingredients from the surrounding countryside, including the on-site vegetable garden. With dishes like line-caught fish, estate olive oil, and wine tastings that are perfect for a long vineyard lunch.
In the afternoon, drive ten minutes to Omaha Beach, a pristine stretch of coastline popular with families and beginner surfers. The area is mostly residential, with a laid-back, small-town vibe.
You can head back to Auckland that evening or stay overnight at one of the nearby vineyard cottages or glamping spots.
Where to Stay in Auckland
InterContinental Auckland
Newly opened, the InterContinental is a sleek, stay with modern interiors and standout suites in an unbeatable location. Just steps from the downtown ferry terminal and set within the Commercial Bay precinct, you’ll have direct access to some of Auckland’s best dining, bars, and shopping.
The Hotel Britomart
Tucked into the heart of the Britomart precinct, this boutique hotel is New Zealand’s first 5 Green Star hotel, but it doesn’t lean on that as its only credential. Rooms are tastefully appointed, with natural timber walls, built-in oak furniture, and locally sourced ceramics and textiles. Step outside and you’re surrounded by some of the city’s best boutiques and cafes. Aesthetically pleasing, central, and genuinely thoughtful in every detail.
The Convent Hotel
In Grey Lynn, this former 1920s convent has been reimagined as a 22-room boutique hotel with moody interiors, arched windows, and a lot of character. Rooms are simple but well designed, and Ada, the onsite restaurant, is one of Auckland’s best dinner spots. It’s exactly the kind of intimate, well-priced boutique hotel we love.
Park Hyatt Auckland
For full-scale luxury, the Park Hyatt delivers. Set on the water’s edge in Wynyard Quarter, this 2020-built hotel has quickly established itself as one of Auckland's best hotesl. Even the entry-level rooms are generously sized, with Scandinavian-style furniture, marble bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling views. The wellness facilities are a standout, with hydrotherapy suites, a Himalayan salt sauna, steam room, and a state-of-the-art gym. Ideal for longer stays or travellers who want space, service, and a refined retreat in the city.
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