North Auckland accommodation from AU$124

One of Auckland North’s must-visit suburbs is Devonport, a seaside village with amazing views of both the Auckland CBD and the Rangitoto Island volcano. Pick up some boutique clothing or jewellery from one of the shops housed in heritage-listed buildings. Drop into a restaurant or cafe for lunch with harbour views or take a journey back through history at the Devonport Museum or the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, which is in an old submarine mining station.

Ready to hit the beach? You’re in the right place, with 20 beaches to pick from including Cheltenham Beach, a long stretch of sand with lovely grassy picnic areas. For a brilliant view, take a walk to the top of North Head Historic Reserve that takes you past tunnels and guns from New Zealand’s military past.

The North Shore is bursting with art and culture, and suburbs from Devonport to Takapuna have galleries worth dropping into. You might even be able to visit a local painter or potter’s private studio. The Pumphouse in Takapuna is an old water pumping station given new life as a community theatre, and you can catch everything from drama to dance and children’s shows. Pick up some unique reminders of your trip at one of the many local markets, including the Albany Farmers Market or the Takapuna Flea Market, or browse an antique shop or head to a Westfield Mall for some air-conditioned comfort.

There’s still plenty more to do in Auckland. Take a ferry to Rangitoto Island and walk to the summit to explore the amazing views, or take a detour to explore the lava tunnels and caves. Along the way, the path will take you past rocky areas, bushlands and heaps of Pohutukawa trees. While you’re here, you’ll obviously want to experience the best of the Auckland CBD too, so check out the excellent food and shopping, Sky Tower and the Auckland Museum. Book your North Auckland accommodation and flight to Auckland with us to see it all.