Explore a neighbourhood

Central Auckland is so much more than shiny high-rises and harbourside dining. The vibrant suburbs around the CBD have long served as the backbone of inner-city living. To find these pockets of hidden gems, ditch the car and do as the locals do. With an open mind and comfortable footwear it is worth getting lost in its laneways and unassuming corridors to find the best boutiques and cafés.

1. Downtown and waterfront

Auckland's commercial district attracts opposites. The daily grind brings together the suit-and-ties from the high-rises with the high-street garb of the university students. Workers and students buzz around Queen Street and Britomart Train Station's historic precinct (where the long lunch reigns) before trickling into laneways for some of the finest food and drinks the city has to offer. As the sun goes down, those with energy to burn head towards the water, either to the Viaduct Harbour (known as the Viaduct) for rooftop cocktails or nearby Wynyard Quarter – an urbanised former section of Waitematā Harbour, where posh bistros intersect with pedestrians and e-scooters whizzing by, making for a perfect people-watching moment.

DAY TRIP

Tuck into an omelette and batch-brew coffee in Chuffed's hidden courtyard (43 High Street, chuffedcoffee.com), before hitting flagship stores on Queen Street and boutiques on adjacent High Street. Break for a bowl of authentic Japanese noodles at Tanpopo Ramen (13 Anzac Avenue, tanpoporamen.co.nz) and burn it off en route to the Viaduct.

Wash down the quintessential harbourside view with some bubbly at Headquarters

(115 Customs Street W, hqviaduct.co.nz).