Holidaying in Auckland and short on cash? Never fear, there are plenty of low-cost options that will still give you a glimpse into the myriad attractions New Zealand’s biggest city has to offer.
Start off your budget-friendly Auckland trip by getting the best flight and accommodation deals at Cheapflights.co.nz, then fill up your holiday itinerary with our top picks of the best things to do in the City of Sails for $30 or less…
Set sail
Getting out on the water is a must in the City of Sails. One of the best ways to experience Auckland is to take the ferry to Devonport for lunch. The ferry leaves from the bottom of Queen Street and is about $12 return.
A picturesque, maritime suburb with a village feel, Devonport has plenty of free activities and is a great day trip for a budget traveller. North Head and Mt Victoria, within 30 minutes of the ferry terminal, offer unbeatable views of downtown Auckland, the sea and the surrounding islands. It’s worth checking out the fortifications while you’re on North Head, though you’ll need a torch if you want to explore the tunnels. There are also a couple of white sand beaches around here and these offer great picnic spots. Watch out though, Devonport’s restaurants can be a little bit pricey.
A touch of culture
Visit the Auckland Museum or Art Gallery. The latter is free and gives visitors a rare chance to see works by indigenous New Zealand artists. What better way to while away the hours? The gallery has about 800 artworks on display by local and international artists. Guided tours are arguably the best way to get the most out of your gallery visit. Tours are free and run daily at 11.30am and 1.30pm. The Auckland Art Gallery is open from 10am to 5pm every day, except Christmas Day.
There are also plenty of art galleries dotted along Parnell Rd in the village itself. Entry is free or by gold coin donation.
Get your feet moving
Auckland has thousands of walking tracks for people who want to discover the city’s natural beauty on foot. Explore rocky coastlines and sheltered bays, lush forests and remote wildlife sanctuaries on short walks or multi-day hikes. Whatever your age, ability and experience, you’ll find a walk to suit.
At 196m high, Mt Eden is the highest of Auckland’s many volcanoes and the effort to get to the top is worth it; on a clear day you can see all of Auckland and beyond. You can walk or bus it to Mt Eden from the central city. Formed 20,000 to 30,000 years ago, the mountain features three main craters in a row and is covered in lush green parkland. Occupation terraces, storage pits and housing sites give a glimpse into the former Māori settlement. Guided walks with local Maori tribe members are also available.
For something less strenuous, walk from the CBD to St Heliers via Mission Bay. Walking along Tamaki Drive is one of the best ways to appreciate Auckland’s beautiful harbour. This walk takes in some of Auckland’s most affluent suburbs and beautiful eastern beaches. It’s especially spectacular in summer when the pohutukawa trees are in bloom. Mission Bay is one of Auckland’s most popular beaches, with its iconic 1950’s fountain, cafes and picturesque picnic spots. There are kids’ playgrounds at Mission Bay and St Heliers and, if you’re up for a detour, Bastion Point offers incredible city and ocean views.
Treat your tastebuds
Some Aucklanders claim the flat white originated in their fair city, so it’s no wonder that you’re never far from a great cafe and a delicious barista-made coffee. The city boasts everything from corner coffee shops serving up fresh pastries to stylish cafes in hip shopping and dining precincts. There are literally endless coffee shops popping up across the city, but if you are looking for your espresso served up with a side of gentrification, the trendy Ponsonby neighbourhood is where you’ll find some of the city’s best spots.
Go west
Muriwai Beach, on Auckland’s wild west coast, is a dramatic stretch of black volcanic sand home to a cliff-top gannet colony, where around 1200 pairs of gannets nest from August to March.
Just 40 minutes from central Auckland, Muriwai is the ideal day-trip destination. You can also stroll along the boardwalk that hugs the coastline, take a lesson at the local surf school, hire blokarts, kites or mountain bikes, play a round of golf at the nearby course or slide down the huge sand dunes at nearby Lake Wainamu.
- Planning to visit Auckland soon? Then check out our blog about “15 things that may surprise first-time visitors to Auckland“
