Auckland is made up of charming suburbs, which are built up around the city centre.
From the trendy cafe and boutique laden streets of Ponsonby to the towering volcanic cone and cutesy cafes of Mount Eden, each area of the city boast its own unique personality and sights.
Here is my quick guide to what to expect from each of Auckland’s suburb…
Parnell
Parnell is the oldest suburb in Auckland and as a result, exudes heaps of character and charm.
Doused in upmarket boutiques, antique jewellers, the city’s beautiful rose gardens and the weekend Farmers’ food market, it’s the perfect suburb to visit for a busy day out (especially at the weekend!)
Must see – Rose Gardens
Must eat – Farmers’ Market
Newmarket
A shopping hub with a bunch of cafes and restaurants thrown in for good measure (#BurgerBurger), Newmarket is home to a Westfield’s shopping centre, designer boutiques as well as, high street fashion brands.
Must eat – Little and Friday
Grafton
Grafton is a suburb situated between Newmarket and Auckland City (both walkable distance). Most well-known for being home to Auckland’s hospital as well as, its Domain, Winter Gardens and museum, it is definitely a suburb worth visiting.
Thanks to the hoards of workers from the hospital, there is also a great array of cafes and sushi bars opposite to grab some food.
Must see – The Domain
Must eat – Ceremony
Mount Eden
Mount Eden is a vibrant, funky and cultural suburb, which boasts an unrivalled 360 degree view across the city at the peak of its volcanic cone.
With a street of quaint book and cake shops as well as, some great cafes, it’s a lovely place to wander around and grab a cuppa before making the easy climb up to the Mount Eden peak.
Must see – Mount Eden volcanic cone
Must eat – Return of the Rad
Ponsonby
Aka. Ponsnoby, Ponsonby is the hip, trendy and arguably, pretentious area of Auckland, which everyone wants a piece of.
You’ll find your raw eating cafes, your Asian fusion restaurants and your sophisticated beauty boutiques here, along with an impressive view of the city.
Must eat – Adam Arnold
Kingsland
Kingsland is a funky suburb situated in inner-city Auckland, which has an abundance of stylish bars, restaurants and cafes to relax in.
Enjoy an early evening bev at a bar before heading to Eden Park stadium to watch a mighty game of rugby.
Must see – Eden Park Stadium
Must eat – Monday’s
Auckland City
Unsurprisingly, Auckland City has everything you could ever need in a city visit and is where most travellers head to if they are only visiting Auckland for a couple of days.
Centred around the ferry port (where you can catch the ferry to Waiheke, Rangitoto etc.), Britomart train station and Queen’s Street, the main shopping street in the city, Auckland centre is buzzing dusk ’til dawn.
Must see – Skytower
Must eat – Chuffed, High Street
K Road
Although K Road is technically part of the CBD, I feel it deserves its own mention.
Renowned for being the ‘red light district’ of Auckland, Karangahape Road (K Road) may be seen as the ‘dodgy’ area of town but, under this shaded disguise lies a unique, quirky and cultural road full of multi-cultural food joints, shops and bars.
Must see – Third Eye shop
Must eat – Coco’s Cantina
Have you ever visited/lived in Auckland? What’s your favourite suburb?
