Port guide: Auckland, New Zealand

The cruise terminal could hardly be better located to explore New Zealand’s breezy, sea-gazing capital, so get walking.

Who goes there

You aren’t short of choice. Auckland is the start or finish port for New Zealand cruises and also features on itineraries across the South Pacific or from Australia. Cruise lines that call in include Azamara, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, P&O Australia, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn and Silversea. Expedition cruise lines such as Heritage, Lindblad and Ponant visit too.

The long white roof of Queens Wharf cruise terminal in Auckland.Credit: Tourism NZ

Sail on in

Get up early. Your ship will sail past Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula before slipping by ancient Rangitoto volcano and into Auckland’s harbour. City skyscrapers are on your left, Devonport on the right and the Auckland Harbour Bridge is straight ahead. The terminal is adjacent to busy commercial wharfs where container ships from China and South Korea have cargo unloaded in a mesmerising ballet of cranes and forklift trucks.

Berth rites

Most ships dock at Queens Wharf, some at adjacent Princes Wharf. You’re right at the foot of main downtown drag Queen Street and just along from lively Viaduct Harbour waterfront. Queens Wharf has a puffy white roof that looks like a series of marshmallows squashed together – or is it a long white cloud? The terminal is small and efficient, so you’ll be into the thick of Auckland in no time.

Before and after

Stay on. Auckland itself isn’t that exciting, but surrounding landscapes are as gorgeous as everywhere in New Zealand. The Pohutukawa Coast has vineyards and bird-twittering forests, and beaches at Piha Beach and Karekare are wild and magnificent.

Going ashore

Seafaring history is showcased at the terrific National Maritime Museum just along the quay. The attractions of downtown are also a walk away, and include Sky Tower and Auckland Art Gallery, which is especially good for New Zealand landscapes and Maori portraits. Family-friendly Sea Life Aquarium, a little further away, has endearing penguins.

Auckland’s popular Sky Tower.Credit: Phil Carrick

Don’t miss

Auckland Domain for leafy green space and Auckland Museum. Its exhibits cover wildlife, volcanoes and civilisation but are especially good for Maori and Pacific Island artefacts. Just beyond the far edge of the Domain you’ll find Parnell Farmers’ Market (Saturdays only) and Ewelme Cottage, which showcases the Victorian middle-class life of its fabulously named 19th-century owner Blanche Lush.

Get active

Turn right as you step off the ship and you can jog through Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter. Hire a bike and turn left and you can follow Tamaki Drive all the way to St Heliers and Mission Bay, which is 10 kilometres away. Breezy waterfront harbour and island views follow you the whole way. Alternatively, you can also rent kayaks and sailboats and hit the water. Numerous golf courses are scattered outside Auckland.

Best bites

If you’re after an upmarket treat, The French Cafe delivers outstanding contemporary New Zealand cuisine with dishes such as smoked venison and roast duck breast. Hit inner-city Ponsonby and Karangahape roads if you’re after informal dining and a bohemian atmosphere. Otherwise, you could stay at Viaduct Harbour for a sunny cocktail or lunch at venues such as Soul Bar & Bistro, or FISH at the Hilton Auckland.

Further afield

A popular shore excursion takes you to Waiheke Island for cellar doors, zip-lining and beautiful bays. Excursions further afield visit the Matakana Coast, Hobbiton film set or Waitomo Glowworm Caves, but you’ll spend long hours in a coach (Hobbiton is considerably closer to Tauranga if your ship is stopping there). The easiest do-it-yourself excursion is to Devonport, a ferry ride across the harbour, which features colonial-era architecture, fine beaches and a host of cafes. Hoof up Takarunga/Mount Victoria for Auckland’s best outlook.