Just landed in Auckland and wondering how to spend your first afternoon? Here’s exactly what we did on day one of our New Zealand trip: a quick pharmacy run, a look at the Sky Tower (complete with people bungy jumping off it) and the view from Mount Eden, all using Uber to get around.
It’s an easy, low-effort route if you don’t have a car, and it finishes at the ferry terminal, so you can hop over to Devonport for the night views. I visited in late September 2025.
Quick facts
- Route: Lunch in the city → Chemist Warehouse → Sky Tower → Uber → Mount Eden → Uber → ferry terminal (Queens Wharf) → Devonport
- Getting around: On foot in the CBD, Uber to and from Mount Eden
- Time at Mount Eden: We stayed about 1 to 2 hours
- Weather (late September): Cloudy but not cold
- Best for: First-time visitors, travelers without a car, anyone who wants a city view
In this guide
- Our afternoon route
- Chemist Warehouse
- Sky Tower
- Getting to Mount Eden by Uber
- Mount Eden (Maungawhau)
- Is Mount Eden worth it?
- FAQ
Our afternoon route in Auckland
After arriving from the airport, we dropped our bags at the hotel and did everything below in one afternoon:
- Airport → city center → hotel check-in
- Lunch at The Occidental
- Chemist Warehouse (Lower Queen Street)
- Sky Tower (viewed from the ground)
- Uber to Mount Eden
- Uber back to the ferry terminal
- Ferry to Devonport for night views
We had lunch at The Occidental, a Belgian-style spot known for its green-lipped mussels. I wouldn’t recommend it, and I explain why in my honest Occidental Auckland review.
Chemist Warehouse: a quick pharmacy stop
Right next door to The Occidental is a Chemist Warehouse, the big Australian discount pharmacy chain. I shopped there so much on my Australia trip that it felt like seeing an old friend again. Chemist Warehouse Lower Queen St on Google Maps
New Zealand is known for green-lipped mussel supplements, so I checked those out. After comparing prices, I found they were a little cheaper to order online back home, so I passed. My tip: check prices at home first, and only buy what’s cheaper here or not sold in your country.
With Australia right next door, Australian brands like Blackmores are reasonably priced here too. I also spotted paw paw cream, the cult Aussie ointment that works a bit like a multipurpose balm.
My hairspray had been confiscated at the airport, so I had a look at the hair styling section too. They even had a styling powder instead of a spray, which I thought was neat. Alpecin, the well-known anti-hair-loss shampoo, was there as well, so I’ve included the price board below.
Sky Tower: watch people jump off it
After shopping, we walked over to Auckland’s best-known landmark, the Sky Tower. We skipped the observation deck and just took it in from below.
See the tiny figure hanging off the tower? Someone was doing the SkyJump while we were there! Just watching from the ground got my heart racing, and it was surprisingly fun to watch.
Photo tip: Stand close and shoot straight up. Fair warning, though: selfies from this angle are rarely flattering.
We also passed the entrance for the SkyJump and SkyWalk at the base of the tower. If you’d like to go up to the observation deck, you can buy tickets online in advance (Klook sells them, for example).
Getting from the Sky Tower to Mount Eden by Uber
We took an Uber from the Sky Tower to Mount Eden. It was a quick ride, and since it’s uphill the whole way, I don’t regret it one bit.
Uber tips for New Zealand
- The same Uber app you use at home works in New Zealand.
- Add your payment method before you leave home.
- Uber sometimes asks you to verify your phone number. If your travel SIM can’t receive texts, that can be a problem, so check before you rely on it.
Mount Eden (Maungawhau)
Maungawhau, the name you’ll see on the signs, is Mount Eden’s Māori name. Mount Eden summit on Google Maps
From the Uber drop-off, there’s still a short walk up to the summit. It reminded me of the stroll up Namsan in Seoul after you get off the bus: not hard at all.
Follow the wooden boardwalk and steps, and suddenly the crater opens up in front of you. Photos don’t do it justice; in person it’s huge and pretty impressive.
At the top, most people were just sitting back and soaking up the view.
This is where you get the whole city in one sweeping view, with the Sky Tower in the distance.
It was cloudy, which was a shame; on a clear day it would be even prettier. We spent about one to two hours up here, and in late September 2025 it was overcast but not cold.
New Zealand really is a land of birds, and we spotted a sweet little one we’d never seen before. There were plenty of happy dogs out on walks, too.
Is Mount Eden worth it? My honest take
- The crater is big and impressive.
- That said, it’s not jaw-dropping.
- It’s one of Auckland’s signature sights, so it’s worth a visit.
- Go if you want to see the whole city in one view.
Would I go twice? Probably not. If I did go back, it would be for the view over the city. We did consider coming here for the night view, and I think it would work well for that too.
Instead, we caught another Uber to the ferry terminal and crossed the harbor to Devonport for the night view. That story is in my Devonport night views and ferry guide.
FAQ
Do you need a car to visit Mount Eden?
No. We used Uber from the Sky Tower and back to the ferry terminal. From the drop-off, it’s a short, easy walk up to the summit.
How long do you need at Mount Eden?
We spent about one to two hours, including the walk up, a look at the crater and some time just sitting with the view.
Can you watch people bungy jump from the Sky Tower for free?
Yes. We didn’t go up the tower, but we watched someone do the SkyJump from the street below.
Does Uber work in New Zealand with a foreign account?
Yes, the same app works. Set up your payment method before the trip, and make sure you can receive verification texts.
More Auckland guides
That was our first day in Auckland. Short, easy, and a nice way to get your bearings. Happy travels!
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