Auckland Backpackers & Hostels

If you are visiting New Zealand, then chances are that Auckland will be your first stop! So you may want to get a handle on it's suburbs and districts before you arrive so you can find the right area for you, and your needs.

The Greater Auckland area is actually made up of four cities: Auckland, North Shore, Manukau, and Waitakere, but chances are you&ll probably end up staying in one of the inner suburbs of Auckland City, but here is a quick guide to the other areas.

It's made up of inner city residential areas and surrounding suburbs. The epi-centre of Auckland city is the CBD (Central Business District) with other popular inner city residential areas such as Mount Eden, Parnell and Newmarket.

North Shore is modern, casual and hip with a slightly laid back beach vibe. Comprising of mainly suburban residential areas, which lies to the north of Auckland City, and is connected to the city by two road bridges.

Waitakere is the main wine growing region in the area and lies to the west of Auckland and extends out towards the Waitakere Ranges national park.

Manukau City is to the south and probably the first place you’ll see on your trip, as its home to the International airport. It’s a very multicultural place made up of all sorts of nationalities cultures such as Polynesian, Maori and European.

Inner city areas

Mechanics Bay, Parnell, Remuera, Newmarket, CBD, Grafton, Newton, Mount Eden, Balmoral, Morningside, Grey Lynn, Ponsonby, Freemans Bay, Herne Bay, Saint Marys Bay.

Probably the most popular area for visitors  are the inner city areas, where you’ll find all the major hotels, shopping and financial businesses as well as many tourist attractions.

Like all cities, the inner city suburbs are the closest to the Central Business District (CBD) so you are never far from the action and with the good transportation links you can be in the centre of the action in no time. Here are a few suburbs that are worth knowing about.

• CBD - The Central Business District is the busiest part of this cosmopolitan city and there’s always plenty going on here. Packed with shops, bars, restaurants, hostels, hotels, businesses plus the cities major tourist attractions all coupled with some great transport links. The CBD is a great choice for the first-time visitor. Area highlights (or places you’ll soon come familiar with!) are Queen street, the main central drag with the major stores and the Viaduct harbour a former commercial harbour that has been re-generated into a food & drinking hub.
• MT EDEN – With its elevated position, Mount Eden affords you some amazing views of the skyline and surrounding suburbs. Dotted along Mount Eden road are bookshops, retro boutiques and stylish cafes. Our top hostel pick: Oaklands Lodge Backpackers
• NEWMARKET - Newmarket is an upscale shopping and dining district which is littered with designer stores and boutiques. It is also home to the Westfield Newmarket mall – a shopper’s paradise. And due to its countless eateries and bars, it also is a great place to find Food & Beverage work, though you just may not be able to afford to live here as well! Our top hostel pick: Haka Hotel Newmarket
• PONSONBY - A super trendy residential area, Ponsonby is known for offering stylish boutiques, independent stores, edgy cocktail bars and hip cafes. The area also has a huge foodie scene which ranges from burger trucks to upmarket, high end dining. Though on the opposite end of the scale, Ponsoby is also located very close to the K-Road (Karangahape Road) which is famous for its ‘anything goes’ attitude and is littered with massage parlours, sex shops and tattoo parlours. Brown Kiwi - Pononby Haka – K road
• HERNE BAY – Is where the rich and famous slash almost famous hang out and probably where you’ll find the best and certainly the most expensive restaurants, which are frequented by the super-rich.
• PARNELL - A mega lavish and sophisticated area packed with expensive boutiques and European restaurants. This is the place to go to if you want to be seen! Putting the slightly excessive and extravagant lifestyle aside, Parnell still has loads to offer and is superbly located close to the CBD and the stunning Domain Park so you get the best of both worlds.
• REMUERA – Also known by the locals as ‘Remmers’ is one of the city's oldest (and most wealthiest) districts and is home to some impressive Edwardian mansions.

South Auckland

Otahuhu, Westfield, Southdown, Penrose, Greenlane, Oranga, Te Papapa, Onehunga, One Tree Hill, Royal Oak, Epsom, Hillsborough, Three Kings, Waikowhai, Mount Roskill, Lynfield, Blockhouse Bay, Sandringham.

• EPSOM – Is an affluent, leafy residential suburb with a charming village centre with a good selection of cafes and shops, though in recent years it has seen a growth in student accommodation options.

East Auckland

Mission Bay, Kohimarama, Saint Heliers, Orakei, Glendowie, Glen Innes, Meadowbank, Point England, Saint Johns, Tamaki, Panmure, Mount Wellington, Ellerslie.

• MISSION BAY / ST HELIERS – are super wealthy seaside suburbs filled with extravagant mansions dotted in between marinas and yacht clubs. So while you are unlikely to find any accommodation here with a backpacker’s price tag, it is still a cool place to visit.  Especially on a hot summer’s weekend when the waterfront t is full of people generally having a fabulous time. 

West Auckland

Owairaka, New Windsor, Avondale, Mount Albert, Kingsland, Waterview, Western Springs, Point Chevalier, Westmere.

• KINGSLAND – Best known for being the location of the Eden Park Stadium where you can catch a cricket or rugby match. Afterwards you can partake in post-match bevvy in its numerous bars and restaurants or partake in a Kiwi favourite, the meat pie.

North Shore

Takapuna, Milford, Belmont, Devonport, Cheltenham, Bayswater, Northcote, Birkenhead, Highbury, Hillcrest, Glenfield, Wairau Valley, Westlake and Forrest Hill, Birkdale, Beach Haven, North Harbour, Albany, Long Bay, Torbay, Waiake, Browns Bay, Rothesay Bay, Murrays Bay, Mairangi Bay, Campbells Bay, Castor Bay.

• DEVONPORT – is just a short ride / ferry trip away from the CBD, but for the extra effort you get to enjoy some lovely beaches to make up for it, and relax in its charming bay-side charm. 
• TAKAPUNA – is where you will find white sand beaches and a relaxed seaside vibe which offers the main shopping outlets for the North Shore area as well as plenty of fish & chip cafes.