Auckland—Tāmaki Makaurau—sprawls between two glittering harbors, built on more than 50 volcanoes and shaped by centuries of Māori and Pacific migration. It’s a city of sails and seaside suburbs, where ferries stitch together neighborhoods and sunsets bleed gold across the Hauraki Gulf. You’ll find world‑class galleries, a powerhouse food scene, and quick escapes to rainforest and beach, all within an hour’s drive.

In ten days, you can live like a local in a central apartment, road‑trip to black‑sand Piha, sip syrahs on Waiheke, climb a volcano on Rangitoto, and venture south to the glowworm caves and the Hobbiton Movie Set. Expect coffee as serious as the sailing, menus rich with kaimoana (seafood), and a calendar that hums year‑round. This itinerary favors apartment‑style stays (think Airbnb vibe), a rental car for day trips, and a relaxed but rich pace.

Practical notes: New Zealand drives on the left, roads are well signed, and distances can be deceptive—plan extra time for winding coastal routes. Dress in layers for changeable weather, carry sun protection, and book popular experiences in advance. For flights to Auckland, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; nonstop times are ~3–3.5 hours from Sydney and ~12–13 hours from Los Angeles.

Auckland

Ringed by water and rainforest, Auckland is equal parts urban and outdoors. Start in the Britomart precinct and Viaduct Harbour for cafés, fashion, and marina views; wander up to Albert Park and the Auckland Art Gallery; and watch the city shrink below you from the Sky Tower. When hunger hits, Auckland’s culinary talent shines—Japanese robata, Māori‑inspired fine dining, natural‑wine bistros, and excellent fish and chips by the beach.

Top sights include the Auckland War Memorial Museum (Māori taonga and Pacific collections), the volcanic cones of Maungawhau/Mt Eden and Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill, ferry‑flung Devonport and Takapuna on the North Shore, and the west coast’s dramatic Piha and Karekare beaches. For island escapes, Waiheke (wine) and Rangitoto (lava fields and views) are local favorites.

Where to stay (apartment‑style or hotels):

• Search self‑contained apartments and houses on VRBO Auckland. Neighborhoods: Britomart/Viaduct for waterfront convenience, Ponsonby for dining/nightlife, Parnell for leafy streets and the museum.
• Compare serviced apartments and hotels on Hotels.com Auckland; filter for “Apart‑hotels” or “Kitchens”.

Getting in and around: Book flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pick up a rental car at AKL airport or downtown (typical day rates NZ$45–85 plus insurance). Allow 45–60 minutes to Piha, ~35 minutes to the Arataki Visitor Centre, 35–50 minutes to Matakana (longer on weekends), and 2–2.5 hours to Waitomo; parking in the CBD is metered—look for secure lots around Britomart and Wynyard Quarter.

Day 1: Arrival, Waterfront Wander, and a Taste of Britomart

Afternoon: Land in Auckland and settle into your apartment. Stretch your legs along the Viaduct Harbour boardwalk—watch superyachts and harbor ferries—then dip into Commercial Bay’s boutiques. For an excellent coffee and snack, try Williams Eatery in Wynyard Quarter (seasonal plates, house‑made labneh) or Daily Bread’s flaky pastries at Britomart.

Evening: Dine at Amano (hand‑made pasta, wood‑fire, seafood—book ahead) or Ahi at Commercial Bay (hyper‑local New Zealand produce with harbor views). For a nightcap, slip into Caretaker (classic cocktails, speakeasy vibe) or the rooftop at HI‑SO for skyline lights.

Day 2: City Highlights, Parnell, and the Sky Tower

Morning: Get oriented with a narrated small‑group tour that hits the best viewpoints and neighborhoods.

2025 Award Winning: Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour

Afternoon: Taxi/Uber to the Auckland War Memorial Museum in the Auckland Domain to see world‑class Māori carvings and a vast waka (canoe). Coffee at Chuffed on High Street (house‑baked brioche, creative toasties), then browse the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and stroll Albert Park’s Victorian pathways.

Evening: Sunset from the Sky Tower’s observation deck. Dinner on Federal Street at MASU by Nic Watt (yakitori, sashimi, robata) or head to Pici on K’ Road for handmade pasta and natural wine. Finish with gelato at Giapo’s successor pop‑ups are gone—go for Duck Island Ice Cream in Ponsonby instead (inventive flavors like roasted white chocolate miso).

Day 3: West Coast Black‑Sand Beaches and Rainforest

Morning: Pick up your rental car. Drive 30–40 minutes to the Arataki Visitor Centre for sweeping views over the Waitākere Ranges. Continue to Piha; clean your shoes at the kauri dieback stations and take the short track to Kitekite Falls if open (check onsite notices).

Afternoon: Lunch at Piha Café (hearty sandwiches, great coffee) or The Piha Store for pies. Wander the black sands beneath Lion Rock—swimming is only between the lifeguard flags; rips are powerful here. If time allows, detour 10 minutes to Karekare Beach for moody dunes and a quick walk to Karekare Falls.

Evening: Back in the city, eat on Ponsonby Road: Azabu (Nikkei, ceviche to robata) or Blue Breeze Inn (roast duck, Sichuan eggplant, tiki cocktails). Nightcap at Clay on K’ Road (natural wine bar) or The Broken Lantern in Ponsonby for craft beer and cocktails.

Day 4: Hauraki Gulf Eco‑Safari and Wynyard Quarter

Morning: Light breakfast at Best Ugly Bagels (wood‑fired Montreal‑style; try the King Salmon with cream cheese and capers). Check in at Viaduct Harbour for a marine wildlife cruise—common dolphins, Bryde’s whales, and seabirds are frequent visitors.

Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco‑Safari Cruise

Afternoon: Lunch at Baduzzi on North Wharf (signature meatballs, seafood linguine). Walk the Wynyard Quarter promenade, pop into Silo Park, and browse design stores. If energy remains, hike up Maungawhau/Mt Eden for crater views of both harbors.

Evening: Dinner at Hello Beasty (modern Asian with coastal flavors) near the Viaduct. Drinks at Dr Rudi’s rooftop for harbor views and casual bowling lanes.

Day 5: Waiheke Island Wine, Olive Groves, and Beaches

Make a day of Waiheke—30–40 minutes by ferry from downtown and a world away. This guided tasting day includes transport on the island so you can focus on syrah, chardonnay, and platters with a view.

Taste of Waiheke Food and Wine Tour

Before the ferry, grab breakfast burritos and filter coffee at Williams Eatery or pastries from Daily Bread. The tour typically includes tastings and a vineyard lunch; bring a hat and sunscreen. On return, dinner at Ponsonby Central (a lively complex with options from Dante’s Neapolitan pizza to El Sizzling Chorizo’s wood‑grilled meats) suits every appetite.

Day 6: Rangitoto Island Hike and Mission Bay Sundown

Morning: Catch the ferry to Rangitoto (check sailing times the day prior). Hike the 1–1.5 hour summit track through scoria fields and pōhutukawa forest for immense Hauraki Gulf views. Pack a picnic—there are no cafés on the island—and sturdy shoes.

Afternoon: Return via Devonport or the CBD and taxi along Tāmaki Drive to Mission Bay. Swim if it’s warm, or walk the coastal path to Kohimarama with an ice cream stop at Movenpick. Coffee heads can detour to Atomic Coffee Roasters in Kingsland on the way back.

Evening: Dinner at Azabu Mission Bay (izakaya and sushi with ocean views) or Onemata at the Park Hyatt (refined New Zealand produce). For an elegant digestif, the SkyBar above SkyCity pours local gins with skyline vistas.

Day 7: Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworms (Full‑Day from Auckland)

Today is your Middle‑earth and underground‑wonder day. Drive or take a guided coach south through rolling Waikato farmland to the Hobbiton Movie Set, then continue to Waitomo for a glowworm cave boat ride under a galaxy of bioluminescence—an unforgettable North Island highlight that fits seamlessly into an Auckland‑based trip.

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch

Back in town, keep dinner easy: The Kimchi Project on Lorne Street serves modern Korean in a leafy courtyard; or MASU’s bar menu if you didn’t go earlier.

Day 8: Matakana Coast: Markets, Vines, and Tawharanui

Morning: Drive 50–70 minutes north to Matakana. If it’s Saturday, start at the Matakana Farmers’ Market (local cheeses, pastries, olive oils). Otherwise, head straight to Brick Bay for a coffee and a wander of the Sculpture Trail.

Afternoon: Lunch at Sawmill Brewery’s Smoko Room (seasonal plates; great for families) or Matakana Market Kitchen by the river. Continue to Tāwharanui Regional Park for beaches and short walks among nesting birds—watch for dotterels; respect wildlife zones.

Evening: Drive back before dark (traffic builds on Sundays). Celebrate with dinner at Ahi (inventive Kiwi cuisine) or Pōni at Commercial Bay (Asian‑leaning share plates). Nightcap at Caretaker if you missed it on Day 1.

Day 9: Volcanic Cones, Parks, and Auckland’s Creative Side

Morning: Coffee and cabinet treats at Ozone Coffee Roasters (Grey Lynn) before a stroll through leafy Ponsonby. Then head to Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park for volcanic history, sheep‑dotted lawns, and city panoramas.

Afternoon: Explore the revitalized Morningside and Kingsland precincts—Crave Café for lunch (community‑run, generous salads and sandwiches) and a wander to Auckland Zoo or the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) if you’re traveling with kids.

Evening: Book a special dinner at Sid at The French Café (tasting menu showcasing Aotearoa’s best) or try Cassia at SkyCity for modern Indian in a chic setting. Finish on K’ Road with a glass at Clay or a cocktail at Sir Winston’s (classic martinis, polished service).

Day 10: Devonport Village, North Shore Beaches, and Departure

Morning: Ferry to Devonport for a slow brunch at Manuka (eggs with halloumi, pancakes, excellent coffee). Walk up to Maungauika/North Head or Mount Victoria for postcard views back to the CBD and the Hauraki Gulf.

Afternoon: If time allows, taxi to Takapuna for a quick dip and a takeaway flat white from Takapuna Beach Café. Grab last‑minute treats from Devonport Chocolates, then head to the airport for your afternoon departure—allow at least 3 hours including rental‑car drop‑off and security.

Evening: Fly home with a phone full of sunsets, volcano views, vineyard lunches, and glowworm galaxies—Auckland has a way of living under your skin.

Optional tweaks if you have specific interests:

• Adventure: Swap Day 4’s cruise for America’s Cup sailing on the Waitematā (thrilling on‑deck action), or add a guided canyoning session at Piha in summer.
• Family: Add Auckland Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s on Tāmaki Drive and a picnic at Mission Bay playground.
• Art & design: Half‑day gallery crawl—Gus Fisher Gallery, Objectspace, and dealer galleries on K’ Road and Ponsonby.

Getting to and from Auckland: Compare flight times and fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Within the region, driving is the most flexible; for islands, use local ferries from downtown. Plan weekday departures early to avoid peak traffic.

Ten days based in Auckland lets you sample the city’s creative pulse, its islands and volcanic cones, and two of New Zealand’s bucket‑list experiences: Waiheke wine and the Hobbiton‑Waitomo double. With apartment‑style living, a trusty rental car, and this day‑by‑day plan, you’ll travel like a savvy local—and leave ready to return.