New Zealand Plog 1｜Spending Summer in Auckland 🍹

Unlike the South Island, Auckland in the North Island offers vibrant coastal city vibes, making it the perfect stop to ease into New Zealand. Auckland isn’t huge — we stayed two nights and pretty much explored the whole city, discovering some seriously delicious spots along the way (and honestly, didn’t find “white people food” this good again in the South Island 😂). Here are my top picks 💯： 🍽️ Depot Eatery Must-order: Snapper Slider — soft bun, fresh and juicy snapper, topped with a zesty lemon sauce. So good! 🐟🍔 Oysters are also super fresh — $8 each, small but sweet and flavorful. 💡 Tip: Book ahead! We walked in on a weekend and waited about 50 mins. 🍽️ ALMA Spanish restaurant near Queen Street — Auckland’s own version of “pretty food” ✨ Nice atmosphere , great flavors. The avocado ceviche appetizer was a tangy-sweet surprise, and the signature pork dish was juicy and delicious. (Not a huge fan of the beef tongue with olives though.) 💡 Bonus tip: Right across from the restaurant is a lawn with public beanbags — perfect for resting, sunbathing, and soaking in the breeze after a stroll. So chill! 🏙️ Devonport Views From Downtown Ferry Terminal near Queen Street, catch a 15-min ferry to Devonport. Hike up Mount Victoria for a stunning view back across the water to Auckland’s skyline. Then wander through the cute shops at the foot of the hill — allow 3–4 hours here. 💡 *Don’t buy paper tickets! Just tap your credit card at the gate — $7.40 one-way (remember to tap again when exiting!). Paper tickets cost $11.50 one-way… not worth it.* 🛍️ Shopping Tip If you plan to shop, do it in Auckland! I saved shopping for the end of my trip during Black Friday, and Queenstown’s Lululemon was totally picked over. Checked online — everything was still in stock in Auckland. Felt like I missed out on a million deals 😅💸 #Auckland #AucklandEats #NewZealand #TravelDiaries