Arriving in Auckland: First Days in New Zealand with the Family

Our first days in New Zealand were all about arriving as a family in Auckland, exploring the city for two days, picking up the campervan, and getting ready for the real road trip ahead.

Arrival and First Two Days in Auckland

We arrived on the 25th and checked into the Holiday Inn for two nights. The location was perfect for exploring the city at a relaxed pace before switching to campervan life. It let us ease into the trip without an immediate long drive ahead of us.

Campervan Pickup – Maui Airport Rental

We picked up our campervan from Maui at the airport rental depot. Allow a good hour for the handover: they’ll walk you through the vehicle, the kitchen setup, and how to use the toilet and shower. Make sure the child seat fits properly — we didn’t check carefully enough at first and had to go back to Maui later to swap it for a different one.

Family tip: Head to a PAK’nSAVE outside the city near your first campsite — this one works well if you’re heading toward Leigh. Parking is much easier than at supermarkets right in the city.

Tip: If you’re in the area on a Saturday morning, check out the Matakana Farmers Market — a lovely local market with fresh produce, food stalls, and a relaxed atmosphere. A great first taste of New Zealand life.

Viaduct Harbour and the Waterfront

Once we’d checked in, we took the family into the city. The Viaduct Harbour area is perfect for a first stroll: flat, stroller-friendly, and full of boats and water views. There was plenty for the kids to take in.

Devonport Ferry

A short ferry ride from downtown Auckland, Devonport is a relaxed seaside village with several beaches and a wonderful view back toward the city and the Sky Tower. The ferry itself is a cheap and entertaining outing — after arriving we headed straight to the nearest playground. Afterwards we had dinner at Flying Rickshaw Indian Eatery Devonport.

All Blacks Experience (Optional)

If your family is into rugby, the All Blacks Experience is a popular stop. Booking ahead is recommended.

Tours & Activities

• Auckland: All Blacks Experience guided cultural tour

Practical Info

Driving

• Auckland Airport → City Centre: approx. 30 minutes. We took an Uber.

Accommodation

• Holiday Inn Auckland

Restaurants & Cafes

• Flying Rickshaw Indian Eatery Devonport

Tips

• Campervan pickup: Allow 1–1.5 hours for handover and loading
• Devonport ferry: Runs frequently from downtown; check timetables for the last return
• Supermarkets: Countdown, New World, and Pak’nSave are easy to find