Twenty-Four Hours in Auckland, New Zealand
What can you do with 24 hours in Auckland, New Zealand? Take a look at what we did; hopefully you’ll glean some inspiration for your next trip.
Viaduct Harbour is the maritime hub of Auckland. From regattas to the America’s Cup competition, this locale is a main attraction for boating lovers. The harbor is also full of incredible restaurants and places to meet for drinks with friends. We walked, soaked up the views, checked out some of the boats, and even caught a glimpse of a couple racing sailboats. We stopped in at Marvel Grill for a delicious bite to eat.
Downtown Auckland
Downtown is, as you’d expect, much like most cities. It’s busy with people, street vendors selling food, restaurants, and bars. We took a short stroll through downtown just to get a sense of where we were. I didn’t see much to do other than shop, but hey there isn’t anything wrong with helping out the local economy!
Looking for a little breathtaking adventure? Take a walk around the sky tower’s Plexiglas deck—or take a leap of faith with the SkyJump. Either way your journey begins 380 meters above the ground, but the added bonus is the incredible view of the city. I personally am not brave enough, but my friend Ashley did it without hesitation—well, maybe just a little.
On Waiheke Island there are loads of boutique shops and galleries to visit. We met with a local artist who gave us a glimpse into Maori culture and art and were also treated to a special visit with goldsmith artist Christine, where we watched her craft her gorgeous jewelry by hand.
Take a drive about 30 minutes out of the city and you will find vast landscapes of rolling hills and green grass and vineyards. We spent a good part of our morning visiting and drinking at a multi-award winning winery: Matua Valley Winery. This is considered the grandfather of Sauvignon Blanc wines in Auckland, so I think we got a pretty good introduction to the country’s wine growing region.
