Intro to Auckland city
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city by far with over 1 million residents (about 30% of total New Zealand population). It attracts most of the immigrants to New Zealand, as well as a high proportion of internal migration; on account of being the major commercial and industrial centre. It is a common misconception that Auckland is the capital. It is not - Wellington is the capital, although Auckland did serve as capital for a short period in the 1800s.
Auckland is located on a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour (to the west & opening to the Tasman Sea), Waitemata Harbour (to the east) and Hauraki Gulf (also to the east & opening to the Pacific Ocean). Not one but 2 Americas Cup regattas were held in the Hauraki Gulf. The central business district (CBD) is close to the entrance of Waitemata Harbour, but the city doesnt really have a single centre with several suburbs having their own centres with shops and businesses.
What to see?
The city is on an active volcanic zone (dont worry its been a long time since the last eruption) and is dotted with over 50 volcanoes. Mount Eden is very accessible (by city tours or take a Three Kings bus to Mount Eden village and walk up) and provides a great view of the central city from the summit. Rangitoto Island in the Hauraki Gulf also provides great views - take a ferry and walk up (allow half a day in total).
Sky Tower is the most prominent building in Auckland, being the largest building in australasia. There's the obligatory revolving restaurant on top as well as viewing platform - the lifts have windows so you can see the scenery as you whizz up. One section of the viewing level has a glass floor to look down on the city streets.
Two good wet weather places are Kelly Tarlton's (aquarium east of the port) and Auckland Museum (in the domain, take the Link bus or a Newmarket bus).
Mission Bay is a nice beachside suburb with some nice cafes and restaurants. Fairly close to the central city too.
What to do?
On a sunny day its great to take to the water. Auckland is known as the City of Sails due to the vast number of yachts, and with so many bays and inlets on the doorstep its no wonder. The most popular is to ferry across to Waiheke Island and visit some wineries, art & craft shops or the beaches. The ferry runs regularly so can easily make it a half day or full day outing. There are other yachts that cruise the gulf - some include dolphin swimming (summer), visit to nature reserve on Tiritiri Matangi Island, and you can even sail an Americas Cup yacht.
Sky Tower has 3 adreline activities - the sky walk (mesh walkway 6m out from the building with no railing and even a glass plank to walk out a bit further on), a climb up to the crows nest on the antenna for the highest viewpoint still attached to land (allow 90 minutes), and a controlled wire descent over 200+m. Entrances to both are on the ground level. There are plenty of bars in Sky City and nearby to relive the moment, tell war tales and recover the feeling in your arms! Both activities are closed if there's a thunderstorm in the area (like right now!) as the tower attracts a lot of lightning, or if the wind is too high.
Adjoining Sky Tower is Sky City casino and theatre.
For a different perspective there is a bridge climb (leaves from CBD side) - similar to the one in Sydney (indeed the harbour bridge is similar too). Allow a couple of hours minimum for this. The harbour bridge also has a bunjy jump (of course!).
For those missing (or dreaming of) colder climes, take a visit to Minus 5 bar on Princes Wharf.
Where to stay?
There are a couple of hotels near the airport but these have had bad reviews (both on FT and through friends and colleagues). If you're wanting to be near theatre and other cultural stuff then need to stay in the CBD. If wanting to be near restaurants and bars then Ponsonby or Parnell are good inner city locations.
Only a few major hotel chains are represented in Auckland.
- Hilton, on Princes Wharf. Great location over the water. Nice hotel if pricey by New Zealand standards. No HH lounge. Within walking distance of Viaduct Basin restaurants and pubs. In summer may have cruise ships pull up alongside during the night - watch what you're wearing (or not) when opening the blinds
- Crowne Plaza, Albert Street. On a ridge above the main road (Queen Street), and near Sky City.
- Langham, near spaghetti junction (CBD fringe). Very easy vehicle access to the motorways. A 20-40 minute walk down the hill to the central city sights. Has complimentary shuttle service and also bus stops right outside.
- Hyatt, Waterloo Quadrant. Between business area and university.
- Stamford Plaza, lower Albert Street. Just a few minutes walk from Viaduct Basin and Queen Street. Note from Jun to Sep 06 this hotel is closed for renovations.
- Copthorne, 1 on Quay Street near Viaduct Basin and 1 on Anzac Avenue near the old railway station (10 minutes walk from Queen Street).
- Mercure, 2 in downtown area bottom of Queen Street.
- Carlton, upper Albert Street. Near cultural centre.
- Rydges, Hobson Street. Also near Sky City.
How to get around?
Auckland (and NZ in general) has a fairly poor public transport system compared to many other cities overseas of similar size. A particular issue in Auckland is the sheer size - it is a very spread out city. Fortunately most of the tourist attractions and accommodation are centrally based. A rental car will come in handy if travelling out of the city, or for most day trips. Parking in the inner city is generally limited and expensive - best to leave the rental car at the hotel while exploring the central city.
Website for bus, train and ferry info including handy trip planner.
Within the CBD bus costs only 50c (30c for children). A free red City Circuit bus runs every 10 minutes from Britomart (train & bus station) past Auckland University, Civic Centre and Sky City casino.
The main train station is at Britomart. The suburban trains run on two lines (western and southern), and probably wont be much use to visitors except for events at Eden Park (Kingsland station on the western line). There is one passenger train a day to Wellington (leaves early am arriving in Wellington in the evening, return service leaves Wellington early am arriving in Auckland in the evening) and a small number of passenger trains to Hamilton (and Tauranga?).
Most ferries either depart or arrive at the ferry terminal in downtown (CBD) Auckland. Ferries run between CDB, north shore and islands in the Hauraki Gulf.
For information on Auckland airport (AKL) including transport to/from the airport, please see the
AKL Airport Information thread
Auckland motorway live traffic updates
Taxis stands can be found on most blocks in the central city, and near all major hotels. Fares from the airport (not to) have a $5 surcharge. At peak hours (6:30am - 10am and 3pm-6:30pm monday to friday) it can be relatively expensive to take a taxi for a short trip across the CBD.
Major events
There's usually one, two or three rugby tests in June/July period. Mostly at Eden Park but sometimes at North Shore Stadium.
Fashion Week is in mid October.
The Auckland Marathon is run the last weekend in October.
Ellerslie Flower Show runs for about 5 days in mid November.
Puhinui 3 Day Event (equestrian) is held early December.
Pasifica festival
xxxx
Tips & tricks
Auckland's weather can be variable as its exposed to weather from the north and west; and in summer can get sea breezes converging over the isthmus causing showers on otherwise fine days. Unless the weather is particularly settled it may pay to have an umbrella handy, although most days wont end up using it.
If you want to find out where a street address is, use
www.maxx.co.nz and enter the address plus where you are coming from (or just put anything in such as "Britomart Train Station"), and click on submit on the Quick Search Journey Planner. Will bring up one or more options for public transport, including the walk to nearest bus/train/ferry - click on the "map of this walk" link and you get a street map that includes street numbers for every property. Can do the usual map stuff - zoom, pan, etc.
Links
Central Auckland map
Tourism Auckland website
Heart of the City
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - December through early March
Best music and public events - December/January
Least crowded - winter, except when there's a big rugby game on