Auckland’s Must Do City Guide

When giving adlanders some advice on Auckland’s favourite hotspots who better to turn to than Tourism New Zealand director of marketing Andrew Fraser. Here he kindly gives LBB the run down on the best bites, stays and bungee jumping destinations.

Where to Eat In Auckland?

Auckland is home to an amazing variety of restaurants and cafes, which are sure to cater for even the pickiest of eaters! One of my favourites is Depot, which has a great atmosphere and serves up the best New Zealand ingredients. Dear Jervois (pictured) is also a great little cafe for anyone who is (or enjoys) vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free or wheat free food. I highly recommend the gluten free waffles! If you’re feeling like a little dessert, you can eat like a local at Milse where their salted caramel ice block is an absolute favourite. 

Where to Drink & Dance in Auckland?

The Britomart precinct and Auckland’s liveliest strip, Ponsonby, are both great places to let loose and enjoy a night out. Tyler Street Garage and Northern Steamship Co. (pictured) in Britomart are local favourites for drinks and 1885 is the best for anyone that wants to dance into the early hours. Two of the top picks in Ponsonby would be SPQR or Revelry, for some of the best cocktails in Auckland!

Where to Stay?

The choice of accommodation in Auckland caters to all budgets. If you’re feeling like splashing out a little, nothing beats the SKYCITY Grand Hotel. City Lodge is a favourite for those who require the necessities but also don’t want to stay at a backpackers. For mid-level budgets the art-deco themed Scenic Hotel Auckland is great.

Where to Visit?

The Auckland Skytower is a favourite for those unafraid of heights and if you’re after an adrenaline rush, I recommend the SkyWalk or SkyJump. If you want to immerse yourself in Maori culture then my pick would be Tamaki Hikoi, a guided walking tour that ends at the Auckland Museum or the Maori Culture Centre, Te Hana Te Ao, which is also a great experience. The Auckland Art Gallery, Toi o Tāmaki, is also one of my favourites for anyone looking to be inspired – it’s the largest art institution in New Zealand with a collection of over 15,000 works! 

Things to Do?

You can also do the Auckland Bridge Climb, which has another chance to bungee jump! The Bularangi Motorcycle tour is a great way to explore the city and get your bearings. For people who are after more of an adventure, you can kayak to the volcano on Rangitoto Island and enjoy a cooked dinner on the beach, followed by walking up to the summit and watching the sunset over the city.