Auckland City and Day Trips
Auckland city plus Waiheke Island, Hobbiton and the glowworm caves, with a night on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Based in the city centre and radiating out from there. The first two days cover the city and Waiheke Island. Day three is a long day trip to Hobbiton and the Waitomo glowworm caves. Days four and five take you to the Coromandel, where you'll see Cathedral Cove, dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach, and spend a night in Hahei. The last two days fill in Mount Eden, the museums and Devonport. Suited to first-time visitors with limited time who don't want to change hotels every day.
Visit Hot Water Beach within two hours of low tide, and note that Hahei accommodation is tight in summer.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival and Sky Tower Harbour
Auckland City（Sky Tower、Viaduct Harbour、Wynyard Quarter）
The Airport Express takes about 45 minutes into the city. Explore the city centre harbour area on foot.
Stay: City Centre and Viaduct Harbour
Day 2 · Waiheke Island Day
Take the ferry about 40 minutes to Waiheke Island. On the island, take a bus or sightseeing bus to visit the wineries and beaches.
Stay: City Centre and Viaduct Harbour
Day 3 · Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Rotorua & Taupo（Hobbiton Movie Set、Waitomo Glowworm Caves）
Join a tour or self-drive. It takes about 2 hours to Matamata, then about 1 hour 15 minutes to Waitomo. The return to the city takes about 2.5 hours.
The day takes about 12 hours. Book tickets for both attractions in advance.
Stay: City Centre and Viaduct Harbour
Day 4 · Coromandel Kauri Forest and Cathedral Cove
Coromandel Peninsula（Waiau Falls & Kauri Grove (309 Road)、Shakespeare Cliff Lookout & Lonely Bay、Cathedral Cove (Mautohe)、Hahei Beach）
Rent a car and take State Highway 309 via Thames to Hahei, about 2.5–3 hours. The mountain roads have many bends.
Conditions on the Cathedral Cove track change often. Check DOC notices before setting out, or see it by boat instead.
Stay: Hahei
Day 5 · Hot Water Beach and Back to Auckland
Coromandel Peninsula（Hot Water Beach、Tairua & Mount Paku）
Hot Water Beach is about 15 minutes from Hahei. From there, it's about 2.5 hours via Tairua back to Auckland.
Plan around the tide tables. You can rent spades nearby.
Stay: City Centre and Viaduct Harbour
Day 6 · Mount Eden and War Memorial Museum
Auckland City（Mount Eden、Auckland War Memorial Museum、Auckland Domain & Wintergardens）
Take a bus about 20 minutes to Mount Eden, then on to the Domain and Parnell. Walk back to the city centre.
Stay: City Centre and Viaduct Harbour
Day 7 · Devonport and Departure
Auckland City（Devonport、Maungauika / North Head）
Take the ferry about 12 minutes to Devonport. After a morning stroll, return to the city and take the Airport Express.