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Guide to Auckland, New Zealand
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Auckland
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Auckland
With its shimmering harbour dotted with boats, its easy to see how Auckland earned the nickname City of Sails. Located on the North Island of New Zealand, Auckland is a multicultural metropolis with Polynesian influences and a strong Maori heritage. Whether its beautiful scenery, unspoiled beaches, outdoor activities, fine dining or vibrant nightlife you want, youll never be far from something amazing.
How To Get There
Auckland is the busiest city in New Zealand for international flights which means frequent direct links with London, Frankfurt and Australia, as well as west coast USA and more. The airport is situated just 21km from the city centre, and there are shuttle services available to the most popular destinations.
Dont forget youll have to pay a departure tax on international flights.
Travelling Around
Many of Auckland's attractions are located within half an hour of the city centre and getting around is easy. Hiring a car is a good idea. Rental companies can be found at the airport and around the city. The region is well served by buses and trains, and ferries operate to the nearby islands.
You can book trains, get bus tickets and ferry information at Maxx.co.nz
A popular bus route is The Link run by Stagecoach Auckland which is a loop through the city, Parnell, Newmarket and Ponsonby. The white buses leave every 10 minutes between 06:00 and 19:00 on weekdays (07:00 at weekends) and then every 15 minutes until 23:30. A free red bus operates around the inner city between Britomart, the university and the Sky Tower every 10 minutes between 08:00 and 18:00.
When to Go
Auckland is busiest during the warmer seasons when the tourists flock there for the beaches, events, festivals, and entertainment. Be sure to make reservations from December to January. Beach dwellers usually stay around in large numbers until February, but if you want to relax and enjoy some calm and cooler times then April is your best bet. Summer falls at the end of the year, with the hottest temperatures occurring in January (average 23c). See full weather information.
What To See
Theres so much to do in Auckland. Whether youre here for an afternoon, a weekend or a month, youll find plenty to keep you busy.
For sports fans there is the Open Tennis Championshipsin January and the Auckland Cup horse racing in March, while culture lovers should check out the Waiheke Jazz Festival and the Ellerslie Flower Show.
Auckland Museum offers a unique collage of Pacific and Maori culture, the highlight of which has to be a 25m long war canoe. Children are well catered for with fun activities, and history buffs can immerse themselves in the collection of war icons, displays and old-style shops.
Howick Village provides a fascinating insight into 19th century New Zealand. Staff wear authentic pioneer era fashions, giving visitors a sense of what life would have been like for early settlers.
The iconic Sky Tower is also a must see. It's an incredible 328m tall, making it the largest structure in the southern hemisphere. Take a ride to the top and hop aboard the lift that will take you up to the observation deck in 40 seconds. Go in the late afternoon to see the sunset rumoured to be one of the most beautiful in New Zealand. The wind at the top of the tower can reach 200km/h so you may feel a bit of a sway, especially if you go right to the top. Here youll find interactive displays, guides, weather monitors and binoculars. The Sky Tower has a popular casino as part of its complex with more than 1,200 gaming machines.Cast your eyes heavenwards at the Stardome Observatory. The whole family will love the planetarium shows, musical performances and special shows for children. Visitors can get hands-on experience with the telescopes on weekend family days.
Auckland has a thriving theatre and live music scene with events happening all year round. The Town Hall is home to the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and hosts kapa haka, traditional Maori song and dance recitals.
Up-to-date listings and info.
Night Life
Auckland has over 400 pubs, bars and nightclubs which make for a buzzing night life. Closing times are often staggered so the action tends to move around - an empty bar at 11pm might be packed at 1am.Karangahape Road (K Road) is well known for its lively bars, clubs and restaurants. It is located close to the centre of town and runs perpendicular to Queen Street, the main shopping area.Parnell is where the city workers head after work. The older generation favour the many nightspots at Viaduct Harbour while a younger scene can be found in the High Street-Vulcan Lane area. Ponsonby is home to more upmarket bars and restaurants.
Whatever your style, youre sure to find something that suits you. See AucklandPubs.com for detailed listings.fast facts
Auckland was once the capital city of New ZealandAuckland is home to more than a quarter of New Zealands populationAt 328m tall, the SkyTower is the tallest building in the southern hemisphereAJ Hackett, the inventor of bungee jumping, was born in AucklandAlong with Sydney and Brisbane, Auckland is one of the three cities in the world where visitors are allowed to climb the bridgeAuckland is a multicultural city. Around 63% of residents are of European descent, 11% are Maori, 13% are of Pacific Island heritage and there is a growing Asian population of around 12%. Auckland is divided into four administrative cities: Auckland, Manukau, North Shore and Waitakere, and three districts: Franklin, Rodney and Papakura.
Hotspot Waiheke Island
Waiheke is the third most populated island in New Zealand after the North and South Islands, and is known as much for its incredible scenery as its bohemian character. It is located in the Hauraki Gulf about 17 km (35 minutes by ferry) from Auckland. Loved by writers, actors and poets, Waiheke has the air of an artistic commune. It is home to some of New Zealands best vineyards such as Stonyridge which produces the country's most sought-after red wine. Take a break from the bustle of the mainland and check out the thriving artistic scene, take a vineyard tour or just relax on one of the beautiful, unspoiled beaches. Find out more at Waiheke.co.nz
Quick History
The land that is now Auckland was first settled around 1350 by Maori people who set up fortified villages. Tribal warfare led to desertion of the area, so when Europeans arrived there were less than 20,000 Maoris. Following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, Governor William Hobson chose Auckland as the new countrys capital but later switched to Wellington due to its more central position. Immigrants continued to flood to Auckland, and still do to this day. It prides itself on its multiculturalism and is a vibrant melting pot of Western, Asian and Polynesian influences.
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