Ponsonby Travel Guide

Auckland
Ponsonby which includes signage
Visit stylish bars and excellent restaurants or shop for designer clothes when you visit Auckland’s most fashionable suburb.

Shop in boutique clothes stores, search for rare vinyl in second-hand record shops or sit in a café and people-watch as Auckland’s coolest folk strut by in Ponsonby. Explore the bustling marketplace in the suburb’s main street or take a stroll around the backstreets to see the stunning Victorian villas and homes for the city’s young professionals. Spend your evening in a bar watching live music or dance the night away at one of Ponsonby’s fashionable clubs.

Perched on a hill overlooking Auckland’s city center, Ponsonby is known for being the city’s most happening suburb. In the 1960s, Ponsonby was one of Auckland’s roughest areas. It transformed into an edgy, alternative neigborhood when it became a hotspot for artists and the city’s gay community. Ponsonby is now one of Auckland’s most desirable residential areas and offers fantastic shopping, nightlife and cultural attractions.

You’ll find most of the shops, bars and restaurants along the main strip, Ponsonby Road. Walk from one end to the other and stop by fashion boutiques, music shops and more. Make sure you visit the Ponsonby Market, an undercover marketplace located about halfway down the street. Here, you’ll find stalls selling superb fresh produce and a short strip of great restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world.

Don’t miss a visit to one of Ponsonby’s cafés. Kiwis are serious about their coffee and Ponsonby is where you’ll find some of the best around. When evening comes, book a table in one of the many excellent restaurants. Ponsonby is known as the “dining room of Auckland” and you can find something to satisfy all palates in this area.

Ponsonby has accommodation options to suit different budgets. The suburb’s proximity to Auckland’s city center makes it a great vacation base. If you’re staying elsewhere, reach Ponsonby via the free bus service that loops around the city center.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Ponsonby

Grand Millennium Auckland
Grand Millennium Auckland
4.5 out of 5
71 Mayoral Drive, Auckland
The price is Rp1.332.374 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
Rp1.332.374
per night
17 Jun - 18 Jun
Stay at this 4.5-star eco-certified hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Great location, staff exceptional. Restaurant was awesome, can't say enough good things about this hotel. Check in was a breeze with smiley faces. Concierge desk was overly helpful and went out of their way to accommodate. Kudos to Rick and his staff in that department."

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2024

Grand Millennium Auckland
Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
5 out of 5
83 Symonds Street, Box 2771, Auckland
The price is Rp1.796.943 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
Rp1.796.943
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 5-star spa hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (955 reviews)
"Room upgrade wasn’t that much of an upgrade"

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2024

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
Novotel Auckland Airport
Novotel Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
35 Tom Pearce Dr, Auckland International Airport, Auckland
The price is Rp2.464.454 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
Rp2.464.454
per night
6 Jul - 7 Jul
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Great location excellent staff. Best beds I've slept in. Easy access to international airport restaurants if you want something quick."

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2024

Novotel Auckland Airport
The Grand by SkyCity
The Grand by SkyCity
5 out of 5
90 Federal Street, Auckland
Fully refundable
The price is Rp2.272.035 per night from 30 Jun to 1 Jul
Rp2.272.035
per night
30 Jun - 1 Jul
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 11 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,014 reviews)
"Our favourite go to hotel in Auckland"

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2024

The Grand by SkyCity
SkyCity Hotel
SkyCity Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Corner Victoria and Federal Streets, Auckland
Fully refundable
The price is Rp1.719.814 per night from 30 Jun to 1 Jul
Rp1.719.814
per night
30 Jun - 1 Jul
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 11 restaurants and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,310 reviews)
"Liked that parking was free when staying at hotel. A soap holder in the shower would be good. Really enjoyed our stay"

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2024

SkyCity Hotel
Rydges Auckland
Rydges Auckland
4.5 out of 5
59 Federal Street Cnr Kingston Street, Auckland
The price is Rp1.482.634 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
Rp1.482.634
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Friendly staff, easy check in, wide variety of food and beverages at the breakfast buffet, great gym, and right near public transportation…what more could you want? I’d definitely return here again someday!"

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2024

Rydges Auckland
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Ponsonby

Auckland featuring central business district, street scenes and night scenes

Viaduct Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are a few things travellers love about Viaduct Harbour. Check out New Zealand Maritime Museum or Princes Wharf while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Halsey Street Tram Stop to get around town.

Viaduct Harbour
Auckland CBD featuring street scenes and cbd

Auckland Central Business District

4/5(215 area reviews)

Known for its captivating waterfront views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Auckland Central Business District. Check out top attractions like Sky Tower and Auckland Ferry Terminal, and jump on the metro at Gaunt Street Tram Stop or Halsey Street Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Auckland Central Business District
Auckland Domain which includes a garden

Parnell

5/5(8 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Parnell for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Parnell Rose Gardens and Auckland Museum. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at The Strand Station.

Parnell
Default Image

Newmarket

Shopping and restaurants are notable features of Newmarket. You might consider stopping by Westfield Newmarket while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Newmarket
Mt. Eden which includes tranquil scenes and landscape views

Mount Eden

5/5(4 area reviews)

Unique features of Mount Eden include the bars and shopping. Make a stop by Mt. Eden or Eden Park while you're exploring the area.

Mount Eden
Devonport which includes street scenes

Devonport

Shopping, restaurants and waterfront views highlight some of the noteworthy features of Devonport. Make a stop by Mount Victoria or Cheltenham Beach while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Devonport

Search cruises