Auckland City Walking Tour: Top Attractions, Best Shopping Spots & Route Guide

Take the picture, no thanks~ [Sneaky smile R]
🏨 I chose to stay at Horizon by Skytower, which is close to everything. The airport shuttle bus drops you right at the door. The Auckland Citywalk takes just over an hour to complete, and if you take an Uber in between, it will be even faster.

📍 Starting point: Skytower. You can go bungee jumping, sightseeing, or dining at the Skytower. There’s not much to see at the base of the tower; it looks better when photographed from a distance.

✅ First stop: St Matthew-in-the-City (St. Matthew’s Church)
p3️⃣-4️⃣
The church has a very classical style, and photos taken around it have a strong vintage feel.

✅ Second stop: Cathedral of St Patrick (St. Patrick’s Cathedral)
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When I arrived, there was a service going on, with a lot of traffic outside. It really made me feel the power of faith 👏

✅ Third stop: DFS Duty-Free Store
I stumbled upon this duty-free store. The prices are a bit higher, but they can deliver your purchases directly to the airport, saving you the hassle. Across the street, there’s a gift shop (p7️⃣) called Remarkable Gifts. The prices are a bit steep, but the items are quite exquisite, making it a good place to buy some souvenirs.

✅ Fourth stop: Auckland Ferry Terminal (p8️⃣)
From the third stop, walk through the commercial street to reach the ferry building. You can grab a meal nearby and enjoy the view.

✅ Fifth stop: Princes Wharf (p9️⃣-11)
There are many sailboats and helicopters here. On a nice day, the city views from the wharf are great, and you can also get a good shot of the ferry building [Tongue out H]

✅ Sixth stop: University of Auckland Clock Tower (p12 top)
It’s quite a distance from the fifth stop to the clock tower, and there are many uphill sections, so I recommend taking an Uber. The clock tower is definitely worth a visit.

✅ Seventh stop: Albert Park (p12 bottom)
It’s right across from the clock tower. There are fountains and flowers, but it pales in comparison to the botanical gardens on the South Island.

✅ Eighth stop: Auckland Art Gallery (p13-15)
Mainly exhibits paintings and some Maori culture. Remember to check your bags at the entrance.

✅ Ninth stop: Auckland Town Hall (p16)

✅ Tenth stop: Queen Street
For the last stop, I planned to do some shopping. You don’t need to carry things for long, as after walking down Queen Street, you can turn a corner and be back at the hotel near the Skytower. This street has Woolworths and Chemist Warehouse (p17) where you can buy souvenirs, and there’s also a store that sells very cheap lanolin.