48 Hours in Auckland, New Zealand: Harbors, Haka, and Heavenly Bagels
Our 12-day New Zealand adventure kicked off in Auckland, and WOW, what a welcome it was! Located on the North Island, Auckland is nestled between two sparkling harbors and absolutely packed with sailboats and yachts. (Fun fact: Of New Zealand’s 5 million residents, 1.7 million live in Auckland!) It’s a bustling, beautiful city full of personality, and the perfect starting point for an epic trip.
Morning arrival in Auckland, NZ. Post Best Ugly Bagel breakfast and coffee stop in front of Sudima Auckland City hotel.
Arrival, Coffee & Jet Lag
After a 17.5-hour direct flight from JFK to Auckland (yes, you read that right, seventeen and a half hours), we landed in the early morning. Thanks to the time change, we were running on fumes, but determined to power through.
Everything bagel, freshly baked, with avocado, bacon, and tomato with a iced caramel latte!
We dropped our bags at Sudima Auckland City, which turned out to be a total gem (more on that in a sec), and made a beeline across the street to Best Ugly Bagels. And let me just say: holy bagel bliss. These fresh, handmade bagels were the best I’ve ever had, and the staff were so genuinely proud of their food, it showed! Add in a delicious coffee, and suddenly we didn’t feel quite so tired.
Pro Tip: New Zealand takes their coffee seriously, even the coffee on our Air New Zealand flight was surprisingly amazing! Let me tell you, I needed that coffee to survive.
Weta Unleashed: A Movie Lover’s Playground
We kicked off our first day with something a little outside the norm for us, Weta Unleashed. It’s like a “please touch” museum for movie lovers. Think: behind-the-scenes magic, special effects, miniature models that look life-size on screen, costume and makeup design, and more. Honestly, it was something my kids would have totally geeked out over. It was immersive, fun, and definitely a surprise hit. It’s something I wouldn’t have chosen for myself, but did enjoy it and wished my kiddos were there to experience it too.
If you have a film buff or a creative mind in your family, don’t skip this!
All Blacks Experience: Feel the Power of the Haka
Next up was the All Blacks Experience. If you don’t know, the All Blacks are New Zealand’s legendary rugby team, and this country LOVES them. The experience walks you through the team’s culture, history, and heart, and even lets you stand "on the field" and feel the power of the haka (their traditional Māori war dance). More on Māori culture in a later post.
Between large screens, interactive games that test your reflexes, and a final training room where you can kick, pass, and sprint, it was immersive, educational, and just plain fun.
If you're visiting during an off-peak time, try going on a weekend, some of the interactive components are even more exciting with a bigger crowd!
Dinner in the Sky
Despite running on empty, we rallied for dinner at the SkyCity Tower, featuring a rotating restaurant that gives you 360-degree views of the city as you dine. The lights, the atmosphere, it was dreamy. The prix fixe meal was solid, but you’re mostly paying for the view and the unique experience.
A 3 course meal menu is offered for dinner while a 2 course menu is offered for lunch. You can also enjoy brunch on the weekends.
Pro Tip: Go for lunch instead if you’d rather take in views of the harbor and coastline. If you want to skip a meal, just snag a general admission ticket.
Our Stay: Sudima Auckland City
Sudima was chef’s kiss. We were upgraded to a Junior Suite, and let me tell you, it was everything. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a soaking tub in the main room, dual vanity bathroom, soft, crisp (iykyk) king-sized bed facing the skyline, and even a pillow menu!
Other highlights:
Local bath products (with shower steamers and bath bombs!)
A coffee/tea station with a kettle and coffee maker
Tons of USB and USB-C ports (yes, finally!)
Alexa
Tip: Don’t forget an NZ-compatible adapter! This is my go-to global adaptor.
Whale, Dolphin & Water Spray Adventures
The next day was magical. We went out with Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari, and within minutes, hundreds of dolphins swam alongside the boat. We even spotted three whales from a distance, which was a first for me.
Not only was the marine life awe-inspiring, but the tour also supports research and conservation efforts, which made it feel even more meaningful.
Heads up:
You will get wet if you stand out front (guilty- my jeans got soaked and it was cold).
Bring waterproof layers if you’re visiting in cooler months.
The boat can get rocky, if you’re prone to motion sickness, prep accordingly.
Harborfront Vibes: Food, Margaritas & Flash Tattoos?!
Nachos to feed an entire football, I mean rugby team.
After our dolphin adventures, we had the tough decision of where to eat on the harbor to make. There were so many great spots. We wandered into Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina for some Cinco de Mayo margarita specials. There was music, face painting, and even flash tattoos happening. Our waitress was from Florida, and we had the best conversation about her life in New Zealand. There are so many young adults there on work visas, it’s such a warm, vibrant mix of people and cultures.
Final Thoughts on Auckland
Our first impression of New Zealand? Diverse, welcoming, and packed with cool experiences. Auckland had so much to offer, from world-class coffee and cultural immersion to once-in-a-lifetime wildlife sightings. While I could have happily stayed longer, the next morning we hopped on a Great Sights bus tour to Rotorua with a stop at the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. This is the time I tell you I’ve never seen Lord of the Rings, but I’ll save that and the details of the tour for the next post.
The bus transfer was a great way to travel hassle-free while still taking in the scenery (and moving our luggage along with us!).
✈️ Ready to Start Planning Your New Zealand Adventure?
Whether you're dreaming of exploring city sights, chasing dolphins across the harbor, or geeking out over film and rugby culture, Auckland delivers.
Let Modern Family Travel® help you plan a trip packed with purpose, fun, and unforgettable moments. We’ll handle the details so you can focus on the memories. 💙
Auckland, NZ - Viaduct Harbour
This trip was made possible by our partners at ANZCRO in which I won this New Zealand trip through one of their raffles. In this article the following companies gifted the services/experiences for the raffle and I’m grateful for their partnership:
Air Zealand
Weta Unleashed
All Blacks Experience
Sudima Auckland City
Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari
Great Sights Tours
This blog contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on any products and/or tours purchased via the links.
