Shopping
Milford Centre
24 Milford RdDesigner shopping and supermarket
Ponsonby
A wide range of boutique clothing and home ware stores
Britomart
1150 Shortland StA new development of upmarket clothing stores
Sightseeing
North Head is the old army barracks within the suburb of Devonport (around a 15 min drive from the house) and is a great place for a walk, with views across the Hauraki Gulf and the city, and an adventure, with lots of tunnels to explore left over from the old army days (bring your phone or a torch).
From here you can easily walk to Devonport Villiage to wander around the many shops and cafes or take a ferry to Downtown Auckland.
NB: there is essentially one road in and out of Devonport so aim to leave before 3.30pm so you don’t get stuck in traffic.
85 locals recommend
North Head
North Head is the old army barracks within the suburb of Devonport (around a 15 min drive from the house) and is a great place for a walk, with views across the Hauraki Gulf and the city, and an adventure, with lots of tunnels to explore left over from the old army days (bring your phone or a torch).
From here you can easily walk to Devonport Villiage to wander around the many shops and cafes or take a ferry to Downtown Auckland.
NB: there is essentially one road in and out of Devonport so aim to leave before 3.30pm so you don’t get stuck in traffic.
The walk between Milford and Takapuna beach talks around 40 mins and involves both walking on the beach, concrete paths and uneven surfaces.
Milford beach is a 10 min walk from the house. At the bottom of Heathcote Road take Commodore Parry Road, straight ahead, and you’ll see the bridge across to Milford Beach reserve.
Once at Takapuna Beach, the Takapuna Beach Café is a great place to stop for coffee, lunch or an award winning ice cream.
You can take a bus back from Takapuna to Milford if you want.
27 locals recommend
Milford Beach Area
63 Milford RdThe walk between Milford and Takapuna beach talks around 40 mins and involves both walking on the beach, concrete paths and uneven surfaces.
Milford beach is a 10 min walk from the house. At the bottom of Heathcote Road take Commodore Parry Road, straight ahead, and you’ll see the bridge across to Milford Beach reserve.
Once at Takapuna Beach, the Takapuna Beach Café is a great place to stop for coffee, lunch or an award winning ice cream.
You can take a bus back from Takapuna to Milford if you want.
Waiheke Island is a wine and food lovers paradise. You can take a 30 min ferry from either Devonport or downtown Auckland and the many wineries and restaurants are easily accessed on the local buses or taxis that meet you from the ferry.
Waiheke is also home to many beautiful beaches and walkways.
407 locals recommend
Waiheke Island
25 Karaka Rd
Waiheke Island is a wine and food lovers paradise. You can take a 30 min ferry from either Devonport or downtown Auckland and the many wineries and restaurants are easily accessed on the local buses or taxis that meet you from the ferry.
Waiheke is also home to many beautiful beaches and walkways.
To visit Downtown Auckland, you can either take the ferry from Devonport, a bus from East Coast Road (5 mins walk from the house) or take the car and park in the Auckland Council Downtown car park.
Wander along the waterfront, Wynyward Quarter and the Viaduct Harbour with many bars and cafes to visit or shop at the precint at Britomart
34 locals recommend
Auckland
To visit Downtown Auckland, you can either take the ferry from Devonport, a bus from East Coast Road (5 mins walk from the house) or take the car and park in the Auckland Council Downtown car park.
Wander along the waterfront, Wynyward Quarter and the Viaduct Harbour with many bars and cafes to visit or shop at the precint at Britomart
Matakana is a lovely villiage around 1 hours drive north of Auckland. On both Saturday and Sundays there is a market that is worth a visit and the area boasts many wineries and restaurants.
Within Matakana villiage, The Market Kitchen by the river serves a lovely lunch and Plume Restaurant, not far out of town, also does very good food.
A good way to explore the local area is to follow the Matakana Collectables Trail for both modern and vintage treasures.
http://www.collectablestrail.co.nz/
69 locals recommend
Matakana
Matakana is a lovely villiage around 1 hours drive north of Auckland. On both Saturday and Sundays there is a market that is worth a visit and the area boasts many wineries and restaurants.
Within Matakana villiage, The Market Kitchen by the river serves a lovely lunch and Plume Restaurant, not far out of town, also does very good food.
A good way to explore the local area is to follow the Matakana Collectables Trail for both modern and vintage treasures.
http://www.collectablestrail.co.nz/
Drinks & Nightlife
Ponsonby Road
Ponsonby is a vibrant suburb close to downtown Auckland with a multitude of boutique shops and a never-ending supply of good quality bars, cafes and night life.
Ponsonby Central houses a number of “Cheap Eats” restaurants and cafes and as the name suggests is a good central place from which to explore the area.
227 locals recommend
Ponsonby Road
Ponsonby RoadPonsonby Road
Ponsonby is a vibrant suburb close to downtown Auckland with a multitude of boutique shops and a never-ending supply of good quality bars, cafes and night life.
Ponsonby Central houses a number of “Cheap Eats” restaurants and cafes and as the name suggests is a good central place from which to explore the area.
Takapuna boasts many bars, restaurants and cafes and is a lively place at any time of the day.
You can find live music at the Elephant Wrestler on Hurstmere Road and live DJs often play at the Garden Bar within The Commons (also off Hurstmere Road).
101 locals recommend
Takapuna
Takapuna boasts many bars, restaurants and cafes and is a lively place at any time of the day.
You can find live music at the Elephant Wrestler on Hurstmere Road and live DJs often play at the Garden Bar within The Commons (also off Hurstmere Road).
Parks & Nature
The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
The Waitakeres is a national park on the Western fringe of Auckland City with 16,000 hectares of native forest and coastline. The Waitakeres are home to a multitude of walking tracks and beautiful beaches.
http://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/waitakereranges
Te Henga walkway that begins from Bethels Beach is a must. Piha is a beautiful, wild West coast beach with opportunities to surf, as is Muriwai, which is further up the coast.
114 locals recommend
Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
The Waitakeres is a national park on the Western fringe of Auckland City with 16,000 hectares of native forest and coastline. The Waitakeres are home to a multitude of walking tracks and beautiful beaches.
http://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/waitakereranges
Te Henga walkway that begins from Bethels Beach is a must. Piha is a beautiful, wild West coast beach with opportunities to surf, as is Muriwai, which is further up the coast.
Cornwall Park
For an escape from the city, Cornwall Park is a lovely place for a picnic, a walk or a High Tea at Cornwall Park Café. Easily accessed from the Greenlane Exit on State Highway one.
There are multiple parking spots within the park and from here you can walk to the top of One Tree Hill (an old volcano) with spectacular 360 degree views of the city.
NB: traffic starts building on the State Highway one from as early as 3.30 pm on weekdays so aim to head home before then.
155 locals recommend
Cornwall Park
Green Lane WestCornwall Park
For an escape from the city, Cornwall Park is a lovely place for a picnic, a walk or a High Tea at Cornwall Park Café. Easily accessed from the Greenlane Exit on State Highway one.
There are multiple parking spots within the park and from here you can walk to the top of One Tree Hill (an old volcano) with spectacular 360 degree views of the city.
NB: traffic starts building on the State Highway one from as early as 3.30 pm on weekdays so aim to head home before then.
Tawharanui Regional Park
The turn off to this park is not far past Matakana villiage (around 1 hours drive north of Auckland on State Highway one). One of the most beautiful spots within an easy drive from Auckland, this park has white sandy beaches, a lovely peninsula walk and nature trails.
On a sunny day bring your swimming gear and take a dip in the crystal clear waters or bring a picnic and sit under one of the many trees that line the beaches.
26 locals recommend
Tawharanui Peninsula
Tawharanui Regional Park
The turn off to this park is not far past Matakana villiage (around 1 hours drive north of Auckland on State Highway one). One of the most beautiful spots within an easy drive from Auckland, this park has white sandy beaches, a lovely peninsula walk and nature trails.
On a sunny day bring your swimming gear and take a dip in the crystal clear waters or bring a picnic and sit under one of the many trees that line the beaches.
Essentials
Countdown Milford
143 Kitchener RdLarge supermarket with everything you need
New World Milford
141 Kitchener RdLarge supermarket with a good deli and all the other essentials
Arts & Culture
Auckland Museum sits within the Domain, a large park, in the suburb of Parnell. Housing a large collection of Maori artifacts and many other constantly changing exhibits this a family friendly day trip.
787 locals recommend
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Auckland Museum sits within the Domain, a large park, in the suburb of Parnell. Housing a large collection of Maori artifacts and many other constantly changing exhibits this a family friendly day trip.
Auckland Art Gallery sits within an impressive building in downtown Auckland right by Albert Park. See the website below for the latest exhibits.
606 locals recommend
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki
Wellesley Street EastAuckland Art Gallery sits within an impressive building in downtown Auckland right by Albert Park. See the website below for the latest exhibits.
Entertainment & Activities
If you want to take a trip up the Sky Tower you can easily walk from downtown. You can also bungy jump off the Sky Tower if you are feeling brave.
Within the Sky City complex there is a casino and bars and restaturants.
If going in the evening, the Sugar Club is a cocktail lounge great for pre-dinner drinks (bookings are essential) or visit one of the more family friendly restaurants.
https://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/attractions/sky-tower/
Federal Street below the Sky Tower also has multiple restaurants (Depot, which doesn’t take bookings or The Grill are well worth a visit).
597 locals recommend
Sky Tower
Victoria Street WestIf you want to take a trip up the Sky Tower you can easily walk from downtown. You can also bungy jump off the Sky Tower if you are feeling brave.
Within the Sky City complex there is a casino and bars and restaturants.
If going in the evening, the Sugar Club is a cocktail lounge great for pre-dinner drinks (bookings are essential) or visit one of the more family friendly restaurants.
https://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/attractions/sky-tower/
Federal Street below the Sky Tower also has multiple restaurants (Depot, which doesn’t take bookings or The Grill are well worth a visit).
Berkeley Takapuna
34 Anzac StSmall local cinema and bar