3 Days in Auckland: The Complete Itinerary
A good three-day Auckland itinerary spends day one on the city and its volcanoes, day two out on an island in the gulf, and day three on the west coast or a bigger day trip. That mix gives you the city, the water and the wild coast.
How should you spend three days in Auckland?
Split the days by theme so each shows a different side of the region. Day one covers the central city, a volcanic cone and the waterfront. Day two heads out on the harbour to an island. Day three goes wild, to the west coast or further afield on a day trip. Three days is enough to see the city properly and get a taste of what surrounds it, without rushing.
Day one: city, cones and waterfront
Start high and work down to the water. Climb Maungawhau (Mount Eden) for the big view, then explore the central city, the Viaduct and the Wynyard waterfront. In the evening, eat where the locals do, in Ponsonby or along Dominion or Sandringham Road, rather than the harbour chains. It is a full day that orients you to the whole city. See the guides to the cones and where locals eat to fill it in.
Day two: an island in the gulf
Spend the day on the water. Take the ferry from downtown to Waiheke for vineyards, beaches and restaurants, or to Rangitoto for a volcanic summit walk through lava fields. Both are short crossings with great views back to the city, and either fills a relaxed day. Waiheke suits food and wine, Rangitoto suits walking, so pick by the kind of day you want.
Day three: west coast or a day trip
Go wild or go further. The west coast beaches like Piha, under black cliffs with powerful surf, are about an hour away and feel a world apart, though you will want a car and should swim only between the flags. Alternatively, use the day for a bigger trip south to Hobbiton, booked ahead. Either way, day three takes you out of the city and into the landscapes that make the region.
Plan the perfect three days
Guide AKL pulls the cones, islands, beaches and day trips into one offline guide, so three days come together easily. Works offline.
Explore Guide AKLRelated: Auckland in one day, the best day trips, and a first-timer's guide.