“I will have only one full day in Auckland, can you suggest a day of sightseeing mixed in with some interior shops for me to visit?”
This question was asked by Cyndi, a lovely blogger out of California who will be visiting at the end of the month. I’ve been asked this question a few times before and I have to admit, I’ve been pretty slack with my answers, giving only a few suggestions here and there. Earlier in the year I met up with another blogger visiting Auckland and took her on a mini interior and homewares tour which she enjoyed. We did get a bit carried away at lunch so didn’t manage to see everything intended, but it was fun all the same. So I’ve taken this and coupled it with a few sightseeing suggestions. I hope that by posting this, a few other locals or visitors might add their “must sees” in the comments. We can start a bit of a conversation here for Cyndi and future travellers to Auckland!
One day is difficult. There are so many incredible places to visit centrally, north, west and south. But if that’s all you have, then you need to stay central where there’s loads of lovely shopping that can be mixed with the sights. Everything suggested here is tried and tested by me in my three years living here and on writing this, I’m tempted to come back with another post in the future for a two days in Auckland, three days and so on.
I’m suggesting this with a hire car, however if you’re relying on public transport, you can plan your journey here.
Early morning drive to the bottom of Mount Eden, 250 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden, an extinct volcano about 5-10 minutes from downtown. Walk up to catch the beautiful 360 degree views of the city and beyond. You can always drive up if you don’t have time, or if you are less mobile. It’s a gentle steep walk and takes about 15-20 minutes to walk to the top by memory.
Dear Jervois, 235 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay
From there, drive to Wallace Road Corner Stores which houses some beautiful homeware and design shops, but first start with breakfast or at least a coffee and cake at Dear Jervois, 235 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay.
Father Rabbit, 232 Jervois Road, Herne Bay
On that small strip you will find some beautifully curated homeware and design stores: Father Rabbit (full shop tour post here), Simon James Concept and Tessutti along with a shoe boutique by NZ designer Kathryn Wilson and Melanie Roger Gallery who represents established and emerging contemporary NZ artists.
Simon James Concept Store, 230 Jervois Road Herne Bay
Tessuti, 224 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay
Hop back in the car and drive a couple of minutes in the direction of College Hill to visit two more homeware and design stores Douglas & Bec 9 St Marys Rd, St Mary’s Bay. Leave your car there and walk down to Everyday Needs 270 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby.
You could either stroll around and look at the many lovely clothes stores (if time allows) or, if it’s lunch time, drive down to Ponsonby Central marketplace for a bite to eat at one of the many cool street food style eateries in The Lane. 146 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby (corner of Richmond Rd).
Ponsonby Central, 146 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby
After lunch, walk down Ponsonby Rd to Flotsam & Jetsam (corner Williamson Ave) for some very cool bric-a-brac and curios. You can read a full post I did on the store here. If it happens to be on the weekend you might even be served a great coffee (Cameron the owner once owned a popular cafe) and grab a Little & Friday donut. After that, hop back in the car and visit The Vitrine for some beautiful European industrial and antiques. I also did a full post on The Vitrine here.
Flotsam & Jetsam, 84 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby
The Vitrine, 1A Grosvenor St, Grey Lynn
Mid afternoon, drive to Silo Park corner of Jellicoe and Beaumont Street, Auckland and walk along the Wynard Quarter waterfront taking in all of the yachts (and super yachts). You could also hire a bike outside the information centre located in a shipping container.
Wynyard Quarter with Silo park in the background
If you’ve got a book that you’ve finished in your travels, you could always offload it and swap it for another in a shipping container set up as a book swap or borrow library. You won’t miss this along the way. Continue on to Quay Street and then make your way into Tyler Street and surrounds in Britomart. This walk should take about 20 minutes without stopping. Citta Design has a pop up store there, along with many gorgeous clothing boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars.
A perfect way to finish the day would be dinner at Ostro (Level 2 52 Tyler St, Britomart T +64 9 302 9888) Be sure to ask for a table with water views!
Book swap, borrow or browse container library, Wynyard Quarter
If you’d prefer for someone to organise it all for you, Tina from Roomie organises half day design days.
I’d love to hear from anyone in the comments with suggestions of what to do and see if they had only one day in Auckland.
Have a wonderful time in my adopted city Cyndi!
Mel x
Wynyard Quarter Auckland
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Bookmarking this, Mel!!! Merci!!!
Good stuff. It seems like you’ll be staying near Dear Jervois, great location!! x
Lovely images Mel. I’ve only been up to Auckland a couple of times since having children and I can tell you, this looks like my kind of excursion without the children in tow.
Thanks Leanne. Yes, I totally agree with the without children in tow… This requires full absorption. When you do pop up to Auckland, make sure you squeeze in a coffee with me. x
Such a great idea for a blog post, and makes me even more jealous of your home city
Well you’ll have to save your pennies and come visit! x
Oh I have to say, you’ll probably have a hard time getting me off Mount Eden ;) It sounds wonderfull. Love that container library. A city can get overwhelming sometimes, so it’s nice to get insider tips for some ‘quiet’ spots as well. xx
I agree and you want to avoid the obvious tourist places. You should visit this side of the world some time Yvonne! x
Yes, always avoid the tourist places. Oh, I wish… xx
Awesome itinerary! So many people come to NZ and the firs thing they do is get out of Auckland. Good to see some great treasures mentioned. I walked up Mt Eden yesterday morning around sunrise. It takes about 15 minutes as you say and the sunrise is glorious from there.
Such a great way to start the day Genie! Glad you like my suggestions:) x