Ponsonby

Auckland

Ponsonby featuring shopping and signage
Ponsonby showing signage
Ponsonby showing a park and heritage architecture
Ponsonby
Ponsonby featuring 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

Abaco on Jervois
Abaco on Jervois
3.5 out of 5
57 Jervois Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
The price is P5,011 per night from 7 May to 8 May
P5,011
P5,763 total
includes taxes & fees
May 7 - May 8
Stay at this 3.5-star motel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (648 reviews)
"Staff was so accommodating and helpful! Great view from my room. Loved the location."

Reviewed on Apr 20, 2025

Abaco on Jervois
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 P5,737 per night from 18 May to 19 May
P5,737
P6,597 total
includes taxes & fees
May 18 - May 19
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! (1,263 reviews)
"The staff were super friendly, the room was clean, comfortable and nicely appointed. It's an easy walk to queer bars just around the corner and close to UOA. Will stay here again when next in Auckland."

Reviewed on Apr 23, 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 P8,451 per night from 24 May to 25 May
P8,451
P9,719 total
includes taxes & fees
May 24 - May 25
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! (1,667 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2025

Novotel Auckland Airport
JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
63 Westney Road, Auckland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P5,839 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
P5,839
P6,715 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 26 - Apr 27
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,173 reviews)
"All"

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2025

JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
SkyCity Hotel
SkyCity Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Corner Victoria and Federal Streets, Auckland
The price is P5,961 per night from 22 May to 23 May
P5,961
P6,855 total
includes taxes & fees
May 22 - May 23
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, 11 restaurants, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,709 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay at Sky City Hotel. Our room was spacious, modern and comfortable, and access to lots of different restaurants was an extra bonus."

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2025

SkyCity Hotel
The Grand by SkyCity
The Grand by SkyCity
5 out of 5
90 Federal Street, Auckland
The price is P6,784 per night from 24 Apr to 25 Apr
P6,784
P7,802 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 24 - Apr 25
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! (1,628 reviews)
"Bit outdated for the money but overall good spot"

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2025

The Grand by SkyCity
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

Viaduct Harbour featuring landscape views, a city and a bay or harbor

Viaduct Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are a few things travelers 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 which includes city views and street scenes

Auckland Central Business District

4.5/5(14 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
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Grafton

While visiting Grafton, you might make a stop by sights like Grafton Bridge and Symonds Street Cemetery.

Grafton
Auckland Domain showing a garden

Parnell

If you're spending time in Parnell, you might enjoy attractions like Holy Trinity Cathedral and Parnell Rose Gardens. You might also enjoy the neighborhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at The Strand Station to see more of the city.

Parnell
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Newmarket

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

Newmarket
Mt. Eden which includes landscape views and tranquil scenes

Mount Eden

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

Ponsonby