Why You Shouldn’t Miss Devonport
On Your Next Trip To Auckland
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Devonport On Your Next Trip To Auckland
Published April 8, 2025
Travelers headed to Auckland will find a wealth of things to do and neighborhoods to explore in New Zealand’s biggest city. I recently spent about three days there at the end of a cruise, and I loved every minute of it! In terms of neighborhoods, my top recommendation is to spend a day in Devonport.
Devonport is a waterfront village northeast of Auckland’s Central Business District (CBD). A portion of Waitematā Harbour separates the two. As such, the most direct way to get from Auckland Central to Devonport is by ferry. This blog post will feature the following attractions. To skip down to any particular one, click or tap the corresponding link below!
How to Get from Auckland Central to Devonport
You have two main transportation options if you’re going from Auckland Central to Devonport: ferry and road.
By Ferry
When I visited Devonport, I took the ferry both ways. Not only is it more direct than driving, but it’s also an incredibly pretty ride across the harbour! In Auckland Central, the “Downtown Terminal” is located here. In Devonport, you’ll disembark here. The actual boat ride takes about fifteen minutes, and ferries leave in both directions every twenty to thirty minutes throughout the day.
As of early March 2025, the ferry cost 11.50 NZD each way when paying with cash (although I think I saw a sign that fare increases were coming soon). It looks like you might be able to get a discount if you’re paying with an AT HOP card.
The best views you’ll be treated to on the water are those of the city’s skyline looking south. The Downtown Terminal building is especially eye-catching with its Edwardian baroque architecture and central clock tower.
By Car
Although I didn’t travel to or from Devonport by car, getting there by road is another option. Google Maps suggests it only takes about 20 minutes without traffic, and Uber is readily available in Auckland (at least in the CBD). I can’t speak to whether the drive is scenic or not, but I would guess the ferry offers better views and photo ops on the water.
The Main Commercial Strip on Victoria Road
Even though Devonport is a mostly residential neighborhood, it’s generally very walkable. I spent a morning and afternoon exploring entirely on foot. If you’re arriving by ferry, the first area you’ll see is the commercial strip centered on Victoria Road. It’s a lively spot with historic storefronts and excellent views of the harbour.
I had breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack on Victoria Road while visiting Devonport. Read on to see what I indulged in!
Breakfast: So French Cafe
Address: 10 Victoria Road, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
Website: https://www.sofrenchcafenz.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sofrenchcafedevonport/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofrenchcafedevonport/
Who would be able to turn down a French cafe in an old converted post office? I definitely couldn’t! I ordered an iced coffee and one of their savory meat pies to enjoy on their front patio. Both items were delicious! The meat pie had a flaky crust and a rich filling.
Lunch: Mānuka Restaurant
Address: 49 Victoria Road, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
Website: https://manukarestaurant.co.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManukaRestaurantDevonport/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manukarestaurantdevonport/
This was probably my favorite restaurant in all of Auckland! They offer European and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine that utilizes local ingredients. I ordered a beer, some New Zealand oysters, and their spicy lamb skewers (which I believe may be a seasonal special).
The skewers at Mānuka (pictured below) were phenomenal. The grilled lamb and colorful veggies felt like a tribute to summer. This plate also came with Greek dressing and tzatziki dip, Turkish bread, and a salad that seemed to have some tangy Southeast Asian inspiration. It was an unusual combo, but all those bold flavors tied together really nicely and balanced each other out!
Wine & Tapas: Vic Road Wine Bar
Address: 53/55 Victoria Road, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
Website: https://www.vicroadwinebar.co.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VicRoadWineBarandCellar/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicroadwinebar/
Right before taking the ferry back to Auckland Central, I visited Vic Road Wine Bar to try some local reds and a snack before dinner. I went with a four-glass flight and a merguez sausage plate off the tapas menu. Vic Road Wine Bar offers a cozy indoor seating area as well as a sunny patio out back.
Scenic Viewpoints
Devonport’s best natural attractions are two hills that both offer unobstructed views of the Auckland metro area. One of the hills is Takarunga (Mount Victoria), and the other is Maungauika (North Head). They’re only about two kilometers apart from each other.
Takarunga / Mount Victoria
Location: 24 Kerr Street, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
Of Devonport’s two hills, Takarunga is closer to the ferry terminal, so this is a great option if you’re short on time. Takarunga has an elevation of 66 meters (217 feet), while Maungauika is 50 meters (160 feet) above sea level. You can see North Head from Mount Victoria and vice versa.
Mount Victoria is closer to Auckland CBD than North Head, so views of the skyline are slightly better from this vantage point.
Looking northeast from Takarunga, you’ll see the striking outline of Rangitoto Island across the water. This volcanic island with gently sloping sides is a popular hiking destination. If I had one extra day in the city, I would’ve loved to visit Rangitoto!
Beyond offering views of the city skyline, Rangitoto Island, and Waitematā Harbour, Takarunga is surrounded by mostly residential streets. It was cool to look out over the rooftops while ascending this mini mountain.
Maungauika / North Head
Location: 18 Takarunga Road, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
Maungauika is east of the Devonport Ferry Terminal, Victoria Road, and Takarunga. Unlike Takarunga, Maungauika is situated directly on the waterfront. On the day I visited Devonport, the weather was perfect and a ton of boats were out sailing. North Head was the best spot to watch them go by.
Because of its strategic location overlooking the entrance of Waitematā Harbour, North Head served as a military installation for many years. Structures and canons from that era are still in place today, and there even are some tunnels you can explore as you walk around the hilltop.
Maungauika is farther away from Auckland Central than Takarunga. As such, you can still see the skyline from North Head, but it’ll look smaller on the horizon.
From North Head, Rangitoto Island is the main focal point looking east. Turn the other way, and you’ll see Mount Victoria.
Beaches
Devonport is located at the very tip of a peninsula, so there are plenty of beaches here. Below are the three main ones.
Narrow Neck Beach
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Narrow Neck Beach is a wide stretch of sand with all your standard beach amenities: a path that runs alongside the water, a little cafe that sells refreshments, a parking lot, etc. This beach is a little far from the commercial district on Victoria Road; walking one way takes about 40 minutes.
Since Narrow Neck Beach faces east, it offers excellent views of Rangitoto, as you can see in the pictures below.
Cheltenham Beach
Location: Bath Street, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
South of Narrow Neck Beach is Cheltenham Beach. Vauxhall Road connects the two if you’re interested in visiting both. Although Cheltenham Beach is public, houses are built right up along the shoreline here. That isn’t the case at Narrow Neck.
Cheltenham Beach’s north end has a rocky cliff that made it impossible to keep walking (although I’m not sure if I was there during high or low tide). Looking south, this beach offers a view of Maungauika / North Head.
A trail with steps connects Cheltenham Beach to Maungauika, and the hillside offers a panoramic view of the entire beach from above. Some paragliders were flying around the area when I was there. I’m sure the view from higher up must be even more breathtaking!
Devonport Beach
Location: King Edward Parade, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
Devonport Beach is right next to the ferry wharf and Victoria Road, so it’s easier to get to than Narrow Neck Beach or Cheltenham Beach. With that said, I found Devonport Beach to be the least picturesque of the three.
Devonport Beach faces south, so it looks out onto the city instead of east towards Rangitoto. Next to this beach is Windsor Reserve, a large park with a playground and a public library. In all honesty, the park seemed much more popular than the beach itself.
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum
Address: 64 King Edward Parade, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
Website: https://navymuseum.co.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torpedobaynavymuseum/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nznavy_museum/
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum is right next to North Head, so history enthusiasts might be interested in visiting one after the other. Residents of New Zealand can enter for free, while tickets cost 15 NZD for international visitors.
This museum showcases New Zealand’s perspective and involvement in major global conflicts in the 20th century. Some of the exhibits also focus on regional history that I wasn’t very familiar with before visiting.
Behind the museum (towards the water), you’ll find a boat shed with a few canoes and other things on display. There is also a pier you can walk down, plus some rocky tide pools filled with marine life.
The waterfront walk between Devonport Ferry Terminal and the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum is reason enough to wander out this way, even if you’re not planning to visit the museum. King Edward Parade, the main road here, is lined by beautiful trees on one side and upscale historic homes on the other.
Enjoy Your Day in Devonport!
The great thing about Devonport is that it has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful hike, a relaxing stroll on a beach, some mouthwatering cuisine, or all of the above, you’ll be able to find it in Devonport!
If you visit any of the places mentioned in the post (or find some cool spots I didn’t feature), leave a comment below and let me know how it is! The next time I’m in Auckland, I’d love to go back and explore this beautiful community in even more depth.
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This post was published on Apr 8, 2025
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