Auckland waterfront
Experience · Auckland & Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Auckland's waterfront wraps from Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter through to Britomart and the Ferry Building — the easiest, most walkable introduction to the city. It's where the America's Cup syndicates are based, where most of the better restaurants have ended up, and the launch point for ferries to Devonport, Waiheke, and the wider Hauraki Gulf.
What to do
Walk from the Ferry Building west through Viaduct Harbour into Wynyard Quarter for lunch on the water. Ride the ferry to Devonport (12 minutes) for a half-day with North Head and Mount Victoria. Climb the Sky Tower for orientation, then spend an afternoon at the Auckland Art Gallery or the Maritime Museum.
Where to eat
Ahi (Commercial Bay) for modern New Zealand tasting menus, Amano in Britomart for Italian, Soul Bar at the Viaduct for harbour-side classics. For coffee, anywhere in Britomart will do — this is the city that exported flat whites.
Getting around
The waterfront is flat and walkable end-to-end in about 25 minutes. Ferries leave the Ferry Building every 30 minutes for the Gulf islands.
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