Devonport was the first European settlement in Auckland and many of the original buildings still stand today. The whole suburb is a mix of one- and two-story Victorian wooden buidlings, churches, and tree-lined avenues.
The suburb is demoniated by the volcanic Mt Victoria, and a brisk 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal will see you basking in the most amazing views of Auckland.
The tourist information office will provide you with a map of "Old Devonport" and following their route will ensure you spend a very happy 2-3 hours exploring the whole peninsula without gettign lost.
A sprinkling of cafes and coffee bars line the main street, should you wish to revive yourself, but Devonport is worth a morning's visit and, for $7, is a bargain--history, walking, and scenery all in one go.
A $7 15-minute ferry ride from the harbour front gets you to Devonport.