Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and is a multi-cultural hub of food, music, arts and culture. Also known as "The City of Sails “, it sprawls over volcanic hills and around twin harbours, offering an exhilarating mix of natural wonders and urban adventures.
PROXIMITY
  • Auckland is a 1¼ hour flight from Wellington and 1¾ hours flight from Christchurch.
  • Auckland is within a 3 hour drive of Tauranga, Paihia, Coromandel, Rotorua and Waitomo Caves and a 1½ hour drive from Hamilton.




STAY
Most people tend to stay in the CBD as it’s the most accessible to public transport and buses and trains to most areas will run from here. It’s also very walkable to nightclubs, bars, supermarkets, restaurants of all cuisines, shopping and the popular tourist attractions like the Skytower, Civic Theatre, Albert Park and Viaduct .
Some of our favourite places to stay include:
  • Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland City
  • The Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
  • Sky City Hotel Auckland
  • VR Auckland City
  • The Quadrant Hotel & Suites
  • HIlton Auckland
  • Grand Millennium Auckland
  • The Surrey Hotel & Motel
SEE + DO
Situated between two harbours there's plenty of water based activities on offer. Scenic cruises and island hopping on the ferries are a great way to take in the harbour settings. As the largest city in New Zealand, Auckland is packed full of family attractions, museums and galleries, while over 26 regional parks, offer a huge selection of walking trails to enjoy. One things for sure - you'll never be short of things to do in Auckland!

  • Get a fascination glimpse into early Maori culture at the world’s largest collection of Maori taonga at the Auckland War Memorial Museum
  • Check out the underwater aquarium of colourful fish at Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium & watch the sharks at feeding time.
  • Do the Coast to Coast Walkway that crosses New Zealand's narrowest neck of land starting at the Viaduct Harbour & finishing 16 kilometres later at Manukau Harbour.
  • Take the ferry to The Riverhead, New Zealand’s oldest historic tavern & enjoy a delicious meal.
  • Visit Waiheke Island, the island of wine just a 40 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland.
  • Paddle across to Rangitoto Island, a dormant volcano, not far from downtown Auckland.
  • Sky walk around the iconic Sky Tower, New Zealand’s tallest building for breathtaking views of the city & for the more adventurous do a sky jump from the tower
  • Jump onboard the Shuckleferry for a guided Oyster Farm cruise along the waters of Mahurangi Harbour.
  • Find your favourite beach. Aucklands two coastlines are filled with many beaches, so there's alot to choose from.
  • Ride on the back of a Harley Davidson along the city waterfont or ride out to the wild west coast.
  • Learn about the region’s rich wine-making heritage, as well as sample some of the local produce, on a Fine Wine Tour hosted by renowned wine writer and experienced tour guide, Phil Parker.
  • Visit the New Zealand Maritime Museum & trace the country's marine history from the arrival of the first Polynesians.
  • Head to the Auckland Zoo. Established in 1922, the zoo includes more than 1,400 creatures.
  • About 50 kilometres north of Auckland, the little township of Puhoi is one of the best day trips out of Auckland. Founded in the 1860s , Puhoi has kept much of its original early-settler character.
  • Pick up a 24 or 48 hour hop-on hop-off bus pass and explore Aucklands top sites of interest at your leisure .
  • Feel the exhilaration of yachting as you take the helm and participate with the professional crew on an America’s Cup sailing experience.
  • Sail away on a harbour cruise and enjoy a 3-course dinner.
  • Take the 75 minute ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf to Tiritiri Matangi island, a protected sanctuary for rare and endangered bird species of New Zealand