Written by: Rashawn Khamari Merchant

New Zealand is the farthest stop on Earth. Inhabited around 1300 AD, the island nation is the last major land mass occupied by people. With its vast richness of diverse cultures and scenic landscapes, Auckland, New Zealand, is a beautiful city to visit for a week. Please note: New Zealand is several thousand kilometers away from most major airports (some direct flights take up to 16 hours). Travel time will consume your first and last days, so this list includes the days spent within the country. The weather in Auckland is typically mild, with average temperatures ranging between 15 °C to 20 °C.

Day 1

Start your Auckland adventure by visiting Mount Eden. At 196m, Mount Eden, also known as Maungawhau, offers unparalleled views of the city. It is the tallest volcano in Auckland, and from the top of Mount Eden, you can see most of the 27 other volcanoes in the area. The short climb up Eden’s built stairways rewards you with a 360° view. It is a site that will leave you breathless. 

Next, in the spirit of experiencing wildlife, visit  Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium. A local taxi driver advocated for the aquarium, and it is easy to see why. This underground aquarium is a main attraction in Auckland and is famous for its open-touch tanks, sea turtles, and sharks. The aquarium features 30 live animal exhibits and an arrangement of underwater viewing tunnels where you’ll see giant rays and tropical fish. 

Located nearby is the Viaduct neighborhood, one of Downtown Auckland’s most popular areas. The Viaduct region has luxury shops, restaurants, and easy access to Auckland’s ferry systems and nearby islands.

For this trip, it is highly recommended that you visit Waiheke Island. Truthfully, you could spend your entire vacation on Waiheke. The island’s beaches are beautiful, with crystal clear waters and clean sand. While it is popular, Waiheke does not feel touristy as you’ll witness many local families and island inhabitants enjoying day-to-day life. The beach is a quick bus ride from the ferry departure and arrival location. The island is extensive, with opportunities to hike and visit several waterfalls. Waiheke is also a prime location for surfing, so bring a board!

Day 2

On day two, bask in New Zealand’s nature with a trip to the Auckland Botanic Gardens. New Zealand is a Pacific tropical island with no shortage of plants that can thrive there. The gardens boast over 150 acres of land featuring 10,000 plants from all over the world.  The African Plants Gardens is a highlight, where beautiful aloe, other dessert succulents, and tropical trees grow together. The herb garden is a fun section where you can smell and experience many familiar plants for cooking and recreational activities. Lastly, the Japanese Cherry Blossom trees make a perfect setting for pictures. The Auckland Botanic Garden should last a few hours to a half day.

Upon your return to Auckland’s city center, this is an excellent time to become immersed in the city’s rich culture. Take a walk along Karangahape Road. Karangahape Road is quant but robust as it has many local shops and restaurants. There is no shortage of thrift stores along Karangahape either. There are several places to shop for second-hand clothing, reminiscent of Greenwich Village in New York. A great place to visit along Karangahape is St. Kevin’s Arcade. You’ll find an indoor/outdoor mall featuring a nice mix of boutique stores. A highlight of St. Kevin’s Arcade is Junktion NZ, a vintage camera store selling a wide arrangement of film cameras and accessories. 

Day 3

By day three, you will have a well-established grounding of New Zealand’s northern island. Midway through long trips, it’s helpful to pace yourself so that you aren’t burnt out for the rest of the vacation. Enjoy a hop-on-hop-off bus tour so that you can still get outside while not straining yourself too much.

The Auckland Explorer Bus is an excellent way to see Downtown Auckland. You’ll pass familiar sites such as Sky City. This area is a joy as it features the Sky Tower, New Zealand’s tallest building, as well as restaurants, casinos, and other entertainment attractions. Adult passes cost $65 for 24 hours. This gives you plenty of time to stop and check out additional sites around the city.

Day 4

On day four, a splendid idea is to participate in New Zealand’s rich cultural history. The Auckland War Memorial Museum is not just a museum but a place that displays a rich culmination of New Zealand’s history in and throughout the Pacific Ocean. The museum emphasizes Māori significance, and it’s important to note that the museum was built on the crater of Pukekawa, a dormant volcano and a pivotal place for Māori people. 

Day 5

Lastly, you can not leave Auckland without visiting The Shire. This special place is a fan favorite of the cult classic blockbuster hits, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. The Hobbiton Movie Set is the real-life creation of the central village from the movies. People flock from all over the world to visit The Shire, and it is something you can not miss. Most notably, the house of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins is located along the hillside, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture photos.

The film, set on the Alexander Family Sheep Farm, is beautifully decorated with colorful Hobbit Holes, the famous houses in which The Hobbit characters live. The landscape is breathtaking as the surrounding areas are flocked with over 13,000 lamb and Angus cows. The walking tour will take you on a journey featuring facts from Sir Peter Jackson’s directed films while observing magnificent details.

It does take some effort to get to the Hobbit Movie Set however. If you leave from Auckland, we suggest booking with Great Sites, which will provide a chartered bus to take you on the two-hour journey from Auckland to Matamata. The journey is well worth it. Spending the day in the land of the Hobbits will never leave your memory.

Thanks for reading!

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