Devonport, Auckland

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Devonport was one of the highlights for me when I went to Auckland. Located on the north shore it is just a 12 minute ferry ride away from downtown Auckland. (This is one of the best ways to see the Auckland skyline by the way - keep camera in hand!) When you step off the ferry you can immedialtly see that this quaint suburb has a very village-like feel to it with bars cafes and restaurants filling the streets. I walked around Torpedo bay and along Devonport Beach to take in the atmosphere. I could have easily spent all day here. A lot of people come to Devonport to go up to North Head which was used as a military coastal defense base during the last century. There are still tunnels to view today. North head also gives you fantastic view of Auckland and Rangitoto Island as well as the Hauraki Gulf. I recommend everyone to come here!

In Devonport stands the bronze statue “untidy soldier”. He was Frank Lynch's a returned soldier who served who fought at Gallipoli and France.

The statue is commemorating all New Zealand soldiers who have died in all wars.

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We enjoyed visiting Devonport one of the oldest suburbs. It takes 10 minutes from Auckland by ferry. It’s a picturesque suburb with quaint old wooden houses alongside the beach road. On the main streets of Victoria roads you can find cafes and restaurants, art galleries, boutique shops, Victorian building like Victoria Picture Palace Theatres, the yellow Post Office. Keep on walking up on Victoria road it will connect to Mount Victoria, the walk up takes about 20 minutes.

Devenport is home of the New Zealand Naval base. It is also a place where you will find lots of quaint cafes and restaurants to dine at. Right on the waterfront of Aucklands North Shore, you will find one of the best views of Auckland City from here. Once a year, Devenport is host to the Wine and Food Festival.

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Devonport is a quiet small town facing Auckland.
The best way to get to Devonport is by ferry: buy your tickes directly at the ferry station in Auckland, connections are very frequent (almost every 30 minutes, a return ticket costs 10NZ$).
Unlike Auckland, the buildings in Devonport are not modern, I got the feeling of going back in time: an old-fashion post office, old style buildings, tiny small stores, people talking in the streets, children playing on the beach... Wow!
After a nice walk, we decided to stop in Devonport for dinner, we chose an outside table on the main road to fully enjoy the atmosphere of a late-summer evening: being our first evening in New Zealand, this was just the perfect welcome!

Take the Airbus shuttle into Auckland CBD, jump on the Devonport ferry and make the 10 minute crossing to Devonport on the Northshore. Lots of quaint shops and historical buildings. The ferry is the cheapest way to see the sights of the harbour. Return to Auckland, take a coffee in the Viaduct, ride to the top of the Sky Tower, browse the shops for souveniers and take the bus back to the airport.
Have a great time.

It was really cold when we were in aukland...and on this particular day...there was not a lot open...but it was fun to take the 20 min ferry over ...and the town was quiant and cute.

I ended up finding a shop with pure wool sweaters (jumpers)...for a great price..which was a perfect souveniour...and something I needed for the cold weather.

It was also a great place to stop and have coffee...

I'm sure if it's warm the place is buzzing....but it was nice even without a lot of places open...

Devonport is a historic suburb of Auckland, located on the city's North Shore. If you are staying in the central city, you can take one of the regular ferries to Devonport from the Ferry Building on Quay Street. The trip across the Waitemata Harbour takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Check the Fullers Ferries website for up-to-date fares (www.fullers.co.nz).
Devonport's streets are dominated by venerable and ornate wooden houses, commonly referred to as 'villas'. These date back to the late 1800s. Devonport also has a number of attractive little churches and a nice supply of street front cafes.
Make one of your first stops in Devonport at the I-site information centre next to the Esplanade Hotel on Victoria Road (the high street). Grab a coffee at a cafe on this street and then set off to explore Devonport on foot (there is a free brochure containing a walking tour guide available at the I-site).
If you are fit and healthy, climb Mt Victoria, for superb views of Devonport, the North Shore, inner Hauraki Gulf, the Waitemata Harbour and Auckland's central city and eastern beaches. I think the view from Mt Victoria is one of the most photogenic in Auckland. You can also climb North Head and explore the old tunnels and gun emplacements there.

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Just 10 minutes across the bay by ferry is Devonport (ferries leave every 15 minutes), a cute suburb on the southern tip of the North Shore peninsula.

The main street (Victoria St) runs up from the ferry to the volcanic cone of Mount Victoria. Its a cute low-rise building place packed with cafes, restaurants, craft and book shops, and although obvioulsy aimed primarily at tourists, it doesn't have that overly commercialised feel to it (partly to do with the fact that loal residents also use the places),

Now this is a MUST!!! The view is just magnificent from Mt. Vic. You can join in a tour booked earlier in Auckland's ferry terminal before u depart for devonport of you can just explore on your own.
But DO NOT miss Mt. Vic. It was quite a hike to climb the steep rails up, but its worth every effort and make sure u have your camera with you. (my auckland page opening photo is taken from mt. victoria).