Ponsonby

Auckland

Ponsonby featuring signage and shopping
Ponsonby showing signage
Ponsonby which includes a park and heritage architecture
Ponsonby
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 centre, 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 centre makes it a great holiday base. If you’re staying elsewhere, reach Ponsonby via the free bus service that loops around the city centre.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Ponsonby

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 S$151 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
S$151
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star spa hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,329 reviews)
"Highly recommend this place for your stay in Central Auckland. The staff are fantastic and the property is of a high standard for the price."

Reviewed on 1 Jul, 2025

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 S$230 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
S$230
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,843 reviews)
"I’ve said before that this property has wonderful staff, always friendly and helpful. We had a fire evacuation today, handled efficiently and without fuss, with a focus on guest safety. I’ll be back!"

Reviewed on 4 Jul, 2025

Novotel Auckland Airport
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
3 out of 5
80 Wellesley Street West, Auckland, Auckland
The price is S$106 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$106
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Sky Tower and SkyCity Casino are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (501 reviews)
"My hotel of choice when in Auckland"

Reviewed on 2 Jul, 2025

Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
63 Westney Road, Auckland
The price is S$169 per night from 10 Jul to 11 Jul
S$169
10 Jul - 11 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,281 reviews)
"Clean rooms, friendly staff"

Reviewed on 1 Jul, 2025

JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
The Grand by SkyCity
The Grand by SkyCity
5 out of 5
90 Federal Street, Auckland
The price is S$161 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$161
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 11 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,684 reviews)
"Excellent room and hotel near attractions."

Reviewed on 2 Jul, 2025

The Grand by SkyCity
Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre by IHG
4 out of 5
Corner Wyndham & Albert Streets, Auckland
The price is S$142 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$142
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (849 reviews)
"Very courteous staff"

Reviewed on 30 Jun, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre by IHG
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

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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 Queen Street Shopping District, 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
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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 Mount 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 Cheltenham Beach or Mount Victoria while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Devonport

Ponsonby