3 Days in Auckland

3 days in Auckland is a short amount of time to see everything the city has to offer. However, you can still see a lot during this time.

Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand, but it’s not so big that you can’t get around it easily. Walking around you can get to most of the main sights in the city.

There are plenty of things to do in Auckland to keep you occupied such as hiking up Mt Eden, checking out Queen Street and visiting the incredible nearby beaches!

Auckland is a thriving metropolis, which means there is always something. Coupled with the number of day trips from Auckland you can take makes it a fantastic destination!

My Auckland itinerary will provide you with everything you need to know on how to enjoy your short stay in the city!

Read on for more info!

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How to Spend 3 Days in Auckland

Some of The Best Things to do in Auckland

If you plan on backpacking New Zealand, Auckland is one place you will certainly visit. There are a lot of things to do in Auckland, especially as it’s the biggest city in the country.

You’ll find lots to do outside the centre of the city too, with walks on the North Shore, islands you can visit and day trips too! Auckland has a lot going for it!

With so many things to do, it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re wondering what to do in Auckland, you can’t go wrong with visiting these places!

Mt Eden

Mt Eden is one of the best places to visit in Auckland if you want a cracking view of the city’s skyline!

Mt Eden is an ancient volcano that overlooks the city. It’s located a few miles outside of the city, but it’s worth the trip for the view alone!

The mount itself is impressive and the ancient cone is gigantic as you walk around the top of it. If you clambered to the bottom, you would have a hard time making it out again!

The walk from the city centre to the mount and back is beautiful, and one I highly recommend you do during your 3 days in Auckland!

Mission Bay

There aren’t many beaches close to the city centre of Auckland, but Mission Bay is one of the best in the outer reaches of the city.

It’s a bit of a walk from the city centre. Depending on whether you like walking or not, it may be best to get a bus there. However, once you reach Mission Bay, you will be presented with a great place to relax.

There are numerous cafes and restaurants nearby if you get peckish, while the views out across the beach are spectacular.

I would advise walking there from the city centre. It’s a pleasant walk and will present you with some great photo opportunities along the way!

Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is a 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland and is one of the most beautiful places you can visit close to the city.

There is a lot to do on the island, such as hiking one of the numerous trails or relaxing at some of the sandy beaches such as Oneroa or Palm Beach.

If you’re into history, you can head to the eastern side of the island to the Stony Batter walkway, which will lead you to World War II gun emplacements and underground tunnels.

You can even do a food and wine tour of Waiheke Island, which is a great way to check out this beautiful place while you’re in Auckland!

Auckland Itinerary – Day 1

Free Walking Tour

The first thing I do when I arrive in a new city is to go for a wander. I feel it’s the best way to get acquainted with a city.

While this may not be to everyone’s taste, you should definitely do a walking tour of Auckland while you’re there!

Most hostels offer a free walking tour. It’s a great way to get a feel for the city and learn more about the city’s past.

The tours are normally very informative and helpful, and you will leave them with a better idea of where to go during your 3 days in Auckland!

Sky Tower

The Sky Tower is an iconic image of Auckland, it dominates the city skyline. Aside from the tower, there is a lot to do in the complex it’s next to!

The building is the tallest in Australasia, and with this being New Zealand, that means you can do a bungee jump off it! If you’re brave enough that is!

Apart from the bungee jumping, the complex boasts a number of restaurants and bars. Plus, there is also a casino on the site, if you fancy a gamble.

It’s a place you definitely check out when you visit Auckland!

Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island is the most iconic of the islands close to Auckland. There is a shield volcano on the island, and there are plenty of things to do here.

It’s only a 25-minute ride from Auckland by ferry, and is well worth checking out while you’re in the city!

You can take a guided tour in a 4-wheel drive, or you can opt to hike to the summit on foot, which will take about an hour.

There are numerous lava caves and fields to explore on the island. Plus, you’ll be blessed with some spectacular views of Auckland as well!

Rangitoto Island is one place you can’t leave off your 3-day Auckland itinerary!

Auckland Itinerary – Day 2

Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is a good place to start your second day in Auckland. You can hop on the ferry early in the morning and explore the island for a few hours before heading back.

You could spend the majority of the day there if you wish. There is a lot to see and the choice is entirely up to you. With so many things to do north of Auckland, Waiheke Island is one place you can’t miss out on!

The island is beautiful and has a lot of interesting and scenic hikes to do. You can also visit numerous beaches, and this would be an alternative to heading back to the mainland and going to Mission Beach.

Whether you decide to spend the whole day or a few hours there, Waiheke Island is somewhere you should go during your trip to Auckland.

Mission Bay

If you’re visiting Auckland during the summer, a trip to Mission Bay should be on your list.

It’s one of the best places to visit in Auckland when the sun is shining. It’s a great place to hang out with numerous cafes, bars and restaurants, and there are some stunning views of Rangitoto Island too.

The beach here is brilliant, and it’s a lovely place to relax and enjoy your surroundings. There is a big field behind the beach too, should you feel like playing football or something similar!

There isn’t an awful lot to do in Mission Bay, but it’s a beautiful place and a great one to spend a few hours relaxing!

Auckland War Memorial Museum

The Auckland War Memorial Museum is one of the most interesting places to visit in the city.

Even if you don’t like history, it’s still worth a visit. You will learn a lot about New Zealand and its role in the wars of the 20th century. The building itself is beautiful, and reason alone to visit!

As the name suggests, a lot of the collections focus on military history. But, there are also exhibits about the history of New Zealand and natural history.

I enjoyed the museum, as I’m a history buff. But even if you don’t like history as much as me, I’m sure you’ll still enjoy the museum. You’ll learn a lot, and get some amazing pictures of a beautiful building in the process!

Auckland Itinerary – Day 3

Eden Park

If you’re a sports fan, Eden Park is one place you have to visit during your 3 days in Auckland.

It’s the spiritual home of the All Blacks, New Zealand’s almost mythical national rugby team.

The stadium itself is an impressive sight, and is a lot bigger than I imagined it to be! If you get the chance to do a tour, you should. You will learn a lot about this special ground and its importance in New Zealand culture.

Even if you don’t like sport, it’s still worth visiting Eden Park. The area around the ground is beautiful, and you will understand why the country loves rugby so much once you visit!

Mt Eden

Not far from Eden Park, a trip to Mt Eden is one thing you absolutely must do while you’re in Auckland.

As I mentioned before, Mt Eden is an extinct volcano cone that offers spectacular views of the city!

It’s a short hike to the top, and it’s well worth it! Walking around the cone is an experience as you take in the sheer scale of the mount. It is ginormous!

Mt Eden is one place you should visit in Auckland while you’re there! It’s arguably the best place to visit in the city, and the views will blow you away!

Queen Street

Queen Street is the main street in the city of Auckland and an ideal place to end your 3 days in the city.

As the main street, there are plenty of things to see. The street has several great shops, which you should check out while you’re there.

Queen Street also has many restaurants and cafes you can frequent too if you’re feeling a little peckish.

You could spend a few hours walking up and down Queen Street, seeing everything. Give yourself lots of time and enjoy your final activity in Auckland!

Other Places to Visit in Auckland

• Hobbiton – Although Hobbiton isn’t in Auckland, it can be reached easily by car. A visit to Hobbiton is an ideal day trip from Auckland to do if you’re staying in the city for a bit longer. I’m a huge fan of The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit and thoroughly enjoyed myself. If you’re not a fan, it may not be worth going, but the scenery is brilliant and you do get a free beer at the end of the tour too! Click here to book your ticket!
• Auckland Viaduct Harbour – Auckland has a huge harbour, and it was home to the America’s Cup on a few occasions. It’s worth checking out as you can see the old boats, and even go on an America’s Cup sailing boat. If you fancy, you can also go on a sailing tour, which will give you some background about sailing, Auckland and fantastic views of the city from the water! Click here to book your tour!
• Hauraki Gulf – The Hauraki Gulf is close to the Auckland region and is home to a variety of marine life. Unfortunately, you can’t access the gulf by yourself, but you can go as part of a tour. You’ll learn a lot about the diverse marine life that exists in Auckland’s waters and you’ll get fantastic views of the city, Rangitoto Island and the Gulf itself! Click here to book your tour!

Check out some of the other activities and Auckland multi day tours you can do by clicking the link below:

Auckland Travel Tips

This section contains practical tips to help you plan your trip to Auckland whether you’ve been there before or not. You’ll find tips on where to stay, the best time to visit, rough costs and much more!

Where to Stay in Auckland

As the biggest city in New Zealand, there are plenty of places to stay in Auckland. This can make it daunting when deciding where to stay.

Choosing the best hostels in Auckland is difficult, as there are so many! The good thing is that most of them are located centrally. You’re never too far from the action!

I have detailed a few of the best cheap accommodation for backpackers in Auckland below.

If you’re not a fan of staying in hostels, there are plenty of hotels in Auckland to choose from too!

Accommodation	Description	Link
Verandahs Parkside Lodge	A warm and friendly hostel located between the city centre and Ponsonby Road.	Book Now
Haka Lodge Auckland	Clean and comfortable hostel located near the centre of the city.	Book Now
The Attic Backpackers	Modern and swanky hostel located in the centre of Auckland!	Book Now
Waiheke Backpackers Hostel	Beautiful hostel located on Waiheke Island away from the centre of Auckland.	Book Now

Cost of Travel in Auckland

As the biggest city in New Zealand, Auckland can be an expensive place if you don’t adhere to a budget. Prices are a few dollars higher than elsewhere in the country.

However, if you’re sensible with your spending and don’t go overboard, you won’t have any issues.

Eating out, tours and accommodation will be your biggest expenses. It’s important to factor these into your costs before you set off.

Below are the average prices for the essential services you will use during your three days in Auckland.

They take into account what you need to visit the city comfortably and don’t include extras such as tours, nights out, souvenirs/clothing. They are deemed as ‘non-essential’ extras!

Prices are in NZD dollars. Check out XE.com for the latest exchange rates.

Best Time to Visit Auckland

As New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere. Summer is from November to February, while winter is from June to August.

If you want to make the most out of your trip, the best time to visit Auckland may be from October to March. This is when the weather will be at its best.

I visited during January and the weather was beautiful. It barely rained during the two weeks I was in the city! If you visit during the winter, this will not be the case.

Winter in New Zealand can be brutal, even if you visit the North Island! There can be a lot of rain and storms. You won’t get to enjoy the best out of your city break if you go during winter.

Planning your trip to Auckland to coincide with the New Zealand weather is the best thing to do. It may be busier during this period, but you will be able to enjoy the city much more than you would in the wet and windy winter!

I recommend you check out my New Zealand packing list before you go so you know what to take with you. The weather can change a lot no matter the time of year, so it’s best to be prepared!

Travelling Around Auckland

Travelling around Auckland isn’t too much of a chore. Despite being the biggest city in New Zealand, it’s not that big.

Compared to spending 3 days in Melbourne, where you need to use public transport to get around, you could easily spend 3 days in Auckland without using it!

During my time in Auckland, I didn’t use public transport once. It was easy getting everywhere on foot!

That said if you want to go somewhere like Mt Eden, you might need to take a bus. It is a fair walk from the city centre, but it’s not overly excessive.

I would advise walking around Auckland as much as you can, and using buses only when necessary. You can get to most places on foot which will save you money

Is 3 Days in Auckland Enough?

3 days in Auckland is a good amount of time to enjoy the city. New Zealand’s biggest city has a lot to offer, and you can see most of it in three days. But if you choose to stay for longer, you’ll be able to uncover everything there is to see!

Auckland is one place you will almost definitely visit while you’re in New Zealand. Hopefully, this 3-day itinerary of Auckland will help you discover the best of what the city has to offer during a short stay!

Have you been to Auckland? Did you do most of the things in my Auckland travel guide? Is there anything I have missed out, that you did while in Auckland? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

For more in-depth information on visiting Auckland, check out Auckland Uncovered!

Need Travel Insurance?

SafetyWing offers coverage that will give you peace of mind while you’re on the road. If you want to protect yourself while you’re on the road, then click the image to take a look at the options available to you.

Looking For More Travel Guides?

Auckland to Queenstown Road Trip – Why not take a road trip from Auckland to Queenstown in the South Island and see as much of New Zealand as you can in one trip?

3 Days in Queenstown – Once you’re in Queenstown, here’s a useful itinerary to make the most of your time there!

Wellington to Auckland Road Trip – An alternative trip you can do is drive from Wellington to Auckland or vice versa and see a large part of the North Island.

Places to visit on the South Island – If you’re thinking of visiting the South Island, these are the places you have to check out!

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