What do you think the capital of New Zealand is? If you said Auckland, you’re one of many people who believe the same. While Auckland isn’t New Zealand’s capital city (Wellington is!), it is the country’s largest city—as well as a great starting point for travel around the North Island. If you have a limited time to explore this wonderful city, use this guide to 48 hours in Auckland to plan your trip. With proper planning, you can fit a lot of activities into 2 days!
48 hours in Auckland: Where to start?
Are you a city person, or would you rather spend more time in nature? Even though Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, it is just a stone’s throw away from stunning black sand beaches, breathtaking nature trails, and lush rainforests! Everywhere you turn in New Zealand is strikingly beautiful, and whether you prefer a relaxing day at the beach or are itching to hit every vintage store on K Road, your trip to Auckland will be one for the books.
My recommendation is to spend one day exploring everything the city has to offer—food, vintage shops, art galleries, and local markets—and then renting a car another day to explore the areas right outside of the city. If you have more than 48 hours to explore Auckland and its surrounding areas, there are a handful of slightly longer day trips to take into consideration! There are no bad choices. No matter what activities you choose, you’ll end up having a wonderful trip.
K Road
A trip to Auckland isn’t complete without a stroll down K Road. Karangahape Road—known to the locals as ‘K Road’—is one of the main streets in Auckland’s CBD, and has an incredible array of vintage shops, unique restaurants, and local pubs.
Grab your morning coffee at Holm, grab brunch at Bestie, and then stop for an early dinner at Apero. After dinner, head over to Sly for a drink before ending the night. Each of these spots has a modern, hip feel, and are all great options for people watching over a delicious meal or unique cocktail.
As you’re wandering from one cafe to the next, don’t forget to stop at K Road’s best vintage stores, including Retro City Vintage, Smoove, and Crushes. There are also a handful of op shops (Kiwi for thrift stores), where you can find a ton of great items for cheap.
Art galleries, parks, and local markets
If you want to spend your day exploring all Auckland has to offer, take some time to wander through an art gallery, stroll through a local market, and have a picnic in a park overlooking the city.
The Auckland Art Gallery houses New Zealand’s largest art collection, including historic, modern, and contemporary art. Take a historical tour of New Zealand through Maori and Pacific artworks. The oldest piece of art at the Auckland Art Gallery is a sandstone figure from the walls of a Hindu temple—dating from the 10th-12th century!
Every night of the week Auckland hosts a night market in a different area of the city. Taste food from a wide variety of cultures, listen to live music, and watch a handful of different performances from magicians to dancers. The markets themselves are free, but you might want to bring some spending money to get the full experience!
Two of the best parks in Auckland are Cornwall Park and Mount Eden. Centered at the heart of Auckland, Cornwall Park is the perfect spot to relax. Read a book under a tree, bird watch, or visit the farm animals! You can visit with the sheep and cows, or take a stroll through the gardens. There are plenty of trails through the park for those who are looking for a bit of exercise.
Mount Eden is only 5km (~3 miles) from the center of Auckland, and is a great short walk for those who are looking for an impressive view of the city. Mount Eden is actually a dormant volcano; the last eruption was about 15,000 years ago and left a 50m deep crater. These days, it’s covered in grass and a wonderful place to have a picnic as you take in the views.
Short day trips
Piha Beach, KareKare Rainforest, and Waitakare Ranges
Just one hour away from Auckland’s CBD is an awe-inspiring black sand beach, a lush green rainforest, and both short and long tramps (Kiwi for hikes!) through the Waitakare Ranges. Explore the beauty of Auckland’s wild west coast filled with waterfalls, streams, and stunning native bush.
Waiheke Island
A quick 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland will take you to Waiheke Island, known for its vineyards and spectacular views. Spend some time tasting the local wines as you gaze out over the ocean, take a dip in the water, or use one of the island’s many walking tracks to get out into nature.
Longer day trips
If you have longer than 48 hours in Auckland, you may want to get a bit further out from the city. A few of my favorite spots on the North Island are:
Hobbiton: Visit the lush green landscapes of the Shire! Directly out of Lord of the Rings, you can visit hobbit houses, the Green Dragon Inn, and the incredible surrounding landscapes.
Rotorua: Rotorua is known for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. Wander through a landscape filled with mud pools and geysers, and then sit down and enjoy a traditional Maori dish cooked in a pit oven.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves: Take a magical boat ride through the glowworm grotto, where you’ll experience thousands of glowworms! This attraction is one of the most popular spots in New Zealand—you won’t want to miss it.
Coromandel Peninsula: The Coromandel Peninsula is the perfect place to relax. Pristine beaches and lush forests are only part of what this area has to offer. Go snorkeling, wander along one of the walking tracks, or try your luck at finding hot water beach.
If you’re ready to plan your trip to Auckland, let us help! Acanela Expeditions offers 7-10 day trips to New Zealand spanning both North and South Islands. Whether you’re only planning on spending 48 hours in Auckland or will be staying for longer, start planning your dream trip now.
This post was written by Kiri Rowan
Check out more of her adventures on Instagram @kirirowan