12 Hours Auckland

Start the day with a refreshing dip at one of Herne Bay’s beautiful beaches. Favourite sandy spots include Home Bay and Cremorne, though you can’t go wrong anywhere along this peaceful stretch of coastline, and there’s every chance a majestic pōhutukawa, homemade swing or weathered boatshed will make its way into your photo reel. Check the tide times before you go (mid to high tide is best).

Morning swims have a way of making that first sip of coffee even sweeter, and as luck would have it, Honey Sundays is just a short stroll from the beach. Expect smooth Allpress Espresso coffee and sell-out scones. Perched on a sunny corner with ocean views, this café perfectly reflects owner Elyse’s passions: coffee, surfing and community.

Aucklanders take their meals seriously (don’t we all?), but breakfast holds a special place. Just a 15-minute walk from Honey Sundays, Ozone in Grey Lynn nails the morning brief. First and foremost a specialty coffee roaster, its brews are naturally exceptional and the perfect match for a menu that satisfies both purists (eggs and bacon, please) and the more adventurous (homemade spaghetti on toast with smoked onion butter and a fried egg – stop it!). With a strong focus on local suppliers and reducing waste, Ozone champions sustainable dining without ever skimping on flavour.

Ready for some sweeping views of Auckland? Lace up your shoes – there’s a climb involved. The walk to the summit of Mt Eden rewards you with spectacular city vistas and a fresh appreciation for the landscape beneath your feet (plus the perfect spot for a photo or two).

After all that effort, a treat is in order. On your way down, look for the cheerful yellow entrance of Small Mercies on Mt Eden Road and grab a couple of kkwabaegi — Korean doughnuts with a literal twist.

Now that you’ve touched some grass, it’s time to head for the urban stretch of Ponsonby Road. If you’re feeling peckish after all that walking and swimming, it’s probably time for lunch. May we suggest Bodega? A buzzing New York-style sandwich bar by day (and wine bar by night), this buzzing neighbourhood deli specialises in made-to-order sandwiches and Italian pastries. Add in a lunchtime glass of wine or cocktail for extra fun points.

After a generously stacked sandwich and a dessert cannoli, your tank will be full and ready for a mini spree down Ponsonby Road. The street is lined with boutiques that beckon with their window displays. Check out the latest from Aotearoa labels like Ruby, Deadly Ponies and Caitlin Crisp, browse timeless designer pieces at The Shelter, hunt for secondhand treasures at Tatty’s, and swoon over thoughtful homewares at Everyday Needs and Good Form & Mr Bigglesworthy. We take zero responsibility for any spontaneous purchases that may occur.

Swap boutique changing rooms for some of the city’s most exciting exhibition spaces. Perched atop the green fields of Auckland Domain, the imposing Auckland Museum is hard to miss – and even more impressive inside. Explore three floors of history, culture, science and more, telling the story of New Zealand, its place in the Pacific, and its people. Before you leave the Domain, don’t miss a stroll through the Wintergarden, a lush collection of rare and wonderful plants housed in two grand Victorian-style glasshouses.

If a stroll around the Auckland Museum has whetted your appetite for more, Auckland Art Gallery is the perfect next stop. Home to over 15,000 works, it’s Aotearoa’s largest art institution, showcasing historic, modern, and contemporary masterpieces. Come back another time for the 60-minute tour on weekdays at 1.30pm, or explore at your own pace. There’s an interactive area for kids, plus a café and gift shop to round out the visit.

The walk from the gallery to St Kevins Arcade takes you through the historic Myers Park and past Auckland landmarks like the Civic Theatre (the largest surviving atmospheric cinema in Australasia) and the iconic Smith & Caughey’s department store. Built in 1924 as a premier shopping destination, the arcade’s granite tiles and bronze detailing once guided visitors to photography studios, dressmakers, and tea rooms. Today, it’s home to boutiques, vintage stores, and eateries, many sharing the light-filled dining space at the rear.

A beloved resident of St Kevins Arcade, Pici serves a small but stellar menu of antipasti and handmade pasta, paired with a carefully curated wine list. Their love of grape juice led them to expand next door (formerly Tappo) into a larger wine bar, where they pour and sell interesting tipples and often host release parties with local winemakers. Stop by between 4.30–6.30pm for aperitivo hour specials.

No need to go far for dinner. At the end of the arcade, with windows overlooking the park and that famous tower, Gemmayze Street is a Lebanese-inspired restaurant by chef Samir Allen. Since opening in 2016, it has helped put Karangahape Road on Auckland’s culinary map. The Jeeb menu hands the meal over to the kitchen – perfect for sharing and discovering new flavours. Lebanese techniques meet local, seasonal produce, and the hummus alone is unforgettable. Pair it with Lebanese wine for a truly memorable evening.

Not quite ready to bid farewell to Auckland for the night? Okay, let’s go for one more. Cross the road, scoot around the corner to Cross Street and head underground into Bar Magda. With low-lit corners, exposed brick and warm wooden furnishings, it feels like slipping into another world — though the local drops will quickly remind you where you are. The drinks menu is thoughtfully curated to suit every course (a food menu that has earned them a spot in Metro’s Top 50 Restaurants), but they’re also reason enough to visit on their own. Sour, salty, sparkling or sweet, there’s a creative, seasonal cocktail for everyone to end the night on.

Well, it’s probably time we called it a night. You’ve got somewhere to stay, right? For the sweetest of dreams, check out our guide to some of Auckland’s best boutique stays – including the luxurious Hotel Britomart, Hotel Fitzroy on Ponsonby Road, and QT on the waterfront.