Devonport is a charming harbourside village on the North Shore peninsula, easily reached by a 12-minute ferry from downtown Auckland. Victoria Road is lined with Victorian buildings housing cafes, bookshops and small galleries, and the whole place has a relaxed, slightly old-fashioned feel that contrasts nicely with the city across the water.
Walk up Mount Victoria / Takarunga or North Head / Maungauika for panoramic views of the harbour, Rangitoto Island and the Auckland skyline. North Head is also riddled with historic military tunnels from the colonial era, free to explore. The Torpedo Bay Navy Museum on the waterfront covers New Zealand's naval history. It makes for a perfect half-day escape from the city.