New Zealand Holidays - Auckland - City Skyline View

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Auckland Holidays

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Holidays to Auckland

Auckland is situated on a narrow strip of land, flanked by two magnificent harbours to the east and west. The shallow Manukau Harbour opens out to the Tasman Sea to the west, while the Waitemata Harbour lies at the heart of the city centre and is Auckland's deepwater port. It has a vibrant waterfront that has flourished with the successful hosting of the America's Cup, and the trendy restaurants and waterside cafes are a constant hive of activity.

Known as the 'City of Sails', with a larger boat-to-person ratio than anywhere else on earth, it is a paradise for sailing enthusiasts. Every weekend the waters of the Hauraki Gulf come alive with a flotilla of colourful sails. The best way to experience the city is from the water, sailing around the attractive harbour or on a ferry cruise to one of the many stunning islands dotted about the Gulf.

Auckland is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand and acts as a major gateway to the rest of the country. Yet it is also one of the least densely populated in the world, covering an area twice the size of London but with barely a million inhabitants. It has a friendly small-town atmosphere and a relaxed pace of life.

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Top 5 Things To Do in Auckland

Sky Tower - The Sky Tower is an observation and telecommunications tower located at the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets in the Auckland

Waiheke Island - Waiheke Island is in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. Its ferry-terminal in Matiatia Bay at the western end is 21.5 km from the downtown.

Auckland War Memorial Museum - The Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira is one of New Zealand's most important museums and war memorials. Its collections concentrate on New Zealand history, natural history, as well as military history.

Waitemata Harbour - Waitematā Harbour is the main access by sea to Auckland, New Zealand.

Auckland Domain - The Auckland Domain is Auckland's oldest park, and at 75 hectares one of the largest in the city. Located in the central suburb of Grafton, the park contains all of the explosion crater and most of the surrounding tuff ring of the Pukekawa volcano.

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Detailed City Overview

Auckland in detail

Beyond the bustling downtown area, dominated by the southern hemisphere's tallest building, the Sky Tower, the city sprawls outwards, with low-slung buildings and wooden houses among leafy parks and walking tracks. The suburbs wind their way around picturesque bays and harbours and between volcanic hills that provide panoramic views over the city and mountains, encompassing numerous green urban parklands that are dotted with sheep.

Getting around

Auckland has a fairly comprehensive public transport network, including buses, trains and ferries. Buses serve most of the city every day of the year, with special NiteRider services after dark. The Link bus offers three bus loop routes in downtown Auckland which pass many of the major tourist attractions and are useful for travellers; the routes are colour-coded and buses pass frequently.

Ferries connect to the north shore suburbs and take passengers to the Hauraki Gulf Islands. Taxis can be hailed on the street, but are more commonly booked by phone. Despite all this, many visitors find hiring their own vehicle is still the most convenient option, especially if planning to explore beyond the city.

Nightlife

With clubs, bars, cinemas, dance clubs and pubs, Auckland is arguably the kiwi nightlife capital. The Tourist Times is a great source of hip and happening entertainment listings and is distributed free of charge throughout the city.

The city has a great selection of clubs and bars catering for up and coming businessmen, highflyers and young students. The main nightlife areas include High Street, Ponsonby, Viaduct Harbour, Parnell, and Karangahape Street. There is a great mix of bars, clubs and quirky establishments in Auckland from which visitors can choose, including a great live music scene. If one is looking for something totally different, Auckland does provide some establishments that are a bit of an oddity, such as a bar which constantly has the temperature set to minus five degrees Celsius and another which is furnished with a variety of beds and pillows which patrons can snuggle up in while enjoying a beverage.

Sightseeing

As the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand, Auckland has plenty to do and see for visitors, ranging from scenic cityscapes to beautiful wildlife reserves which surround the city. If you are heading out with the kids or just want to learn more about Auckland, Maori culture or New Zealand in general, a great place to start would be the Auckland Museum. The museum overlooks the city and the attractive Waitemata Harbour and is one of the most visited attractions in the city. Apart from the museum, there is also the recently refurbished Auckland Art Gallery, housing some amazingly creative installations and free tours starting daily around midday.

After you have soaked up some local knowledge and culture from the exhibitions of the Auckland Museum and Art Gallery, why not take a daring venture up the Auckland Sky Tower, one of the tallest freestanding buildings in the Southern Hemisphere, from which you have a breathtaking 360 degrees view of the city, the harbour and the gulf islands. And finally, if you want to explore the wilder side of Auckland, you can take a ferry from Auckland Harbour to Tiritiri Matangi Island, one of New Zealand's most important wildlife sanctuaries. There you can admire the beautiful flora and fauna of Auckland while on a tour led by expert guides of the island. And after all that, if you haven't had your fill of attractions, one can take a turn at the Auckland Zoo, catch a show at the Civic Theatre or enjoy a lazy walk through Albert Park.

A popular way to enjoy many of these sites is to purchase a tourist card, called a multipass, which allows access to numerous venues within a one month period.

Restaurants

Auckland has a diverse and full-flavoured variety of eating establishments. From Indian to Japanese, and Turkish to French, there is a veritable rainbow of cuisine available from which visitors can choose. Fuelled by entrepreneurial immigrants and New Zealand's strong focus on artisanal food, wine, and beer, the bustling local markets of the country's biggest city are excellent shortcuts to understanding Auckland's cultural mosaic. With well-established farmers' markets complemented by newer specialist markets, Auckland emerges as New Zealand's only truly international city and it is certainly reflected in the variety of its restaurants.

Although Auckland's food scene is a melting pot of national cuisines, locals still love their traditional New Zealand cuisine. Staples, such as roast lamb is a favourite, along with all kinds of fresh seafood, including, of course, the famous New Zealand mussel. Auckland has no shortage of brilliant restaurants serving this type of local cuisine, with establishments such as One Tree Grill creating inspired Pacific Rim style dishes for patrons to enjoy, which can be deliciously paired with a wide selection of New Zealand's world famous wines. There are many areas in Auckland to enjoy a bite to eat, but if one wants an authentic seafood experience why not cruise around the Viaducts and Waterfront where one can find a variety of fresh seafood treats to chose from. Other popular clusters of eateries can be found in High Street, Queen Street, the Wynyard Quarter and the Arts Precinct, each with own unique atmosphere and speciality restaurants.

When to Visit

Currency New Zealand Dollar ($)
Flying time from UK The average flight time from the UK to Auckland is 23 hours 50 minutes.
Primary Language English
Passport & Visas UK citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least one month beyond the period of intended stay in New Zealand.