NZ · Auckland Region · 36.85°S 174.77°E

auckland

Harbour ferries, volcanic hills and island walks from New Zealand's biggest city.

Best time
November–April is warm and good for ferries, beaches and walks. June–August is cool and wet; the weather changes fast in any season, so pack a rain layer.
How long
3 days
Getting there
About 11 hours direct from KL on Malaysia Airlines. The airport is about 40 minutes from the city by road. New Zealand is 4 hours ahead of KL, 5 during daylight saving (late September to early April).
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NZ · Auckland Regionauckland36.85°S 174.77°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Harbour ferries, volcanic hills and island walks from New Zealand's biggest city.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingAucklandNZ, Auckland Region
KLauckland
≈ 8,727 km from KL, as the crow flies
A few snaps around the North Island, NZ. Locations include Waiheke, Auckland city, Devonport, Whangamata, Mt Eden

Photo: elpinto007 · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Auckland sits on a narrow neck of land between two harbours, dotted with dozens of extinct volcanoes and with islands a short ferry ride away. Give it a few days before heading south.

Makan

  1. Fish and chipsTakeaway snapper or tarakihi, eaten on the beach at Mission Bay.Map ↗
  2. Green-lipped musselsBig New Zealand mussels, usually steamed. Ask whether they're cooked in wine.Map ↗
  3. Hokey pokey ice creamVanilla ice cream with crunchy bits of honeycomb toffee, a Kiwi classic.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Waterfront and Viaduct HarbourThe harbourfront from the ferry terminal to Wynyard Quarter, lined with boats and places to eat.Map ↗
  2. Maungawhau / Mount EdenThe city's highest volcanic cone, a short climb to a grassy crater with views over the whole city.Map ↗
  3. Waiheke IslandAbout 40 minutes by ferry, for sandy beaches, coastal walks and olive groves.Map ↗
  4. Auckland War Memorial MuseumThe country's best collection of Māori and Pacific treasures, in the Domain park.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Halal is easy in Auckland, with Indian, Turkish and Malaysian places all over the central city.
  • New Zealand biosecurity is strict: declare all food on arrival, and clean the mud off your hiking shoes before you fly.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.