Welcome To Auckland: The City of Sails

Auckland is the gateway to New Zealand and its largest city. Almost entirely surrounded by water, and covered with volcanic hills, the city has a spectacular harbor and infinite possibilities. Wherever the visitor may be at any given moment, there is the assurance that within 30 minutes or less he or she could be cruising the harbor, playing a round of golf, swimming at a beautiful city beach, or even walking in subtropical forest. Whether stopping for a week or month, Auckland will provide a most fulfilling experience

This waterside city has a strong pulse and a nautical twinkle in its eye. Its location on a thin stretch of the North Island, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, is complemented by the lush subtropical forests of nearby hills and the volcanic terrains of nearby islands.

With its spectacular harbour and bridge, New Zealand's largest city ranks with the best and its districts weave their way around a variety of bays ideal for swimming, water sports and particularly yachting - hence the nickname 'City of Sails'.

When To Go

Auckland's busiest tourist season arrives with the warmer weather between November and April, hitting its peak during summer school holidays (20 December-late January). To a lesser extent the Easter weekend, Labour Day weekend (late October) and the mid-year school holidays are also busy. January and February are the best beach-weather months, and December and March either side are usually warm - even hot at times. November and April are slightly cooler and not so good for hanging around at the beach, but it's noticeably quieter, and accommodation is easier to find. Many of Auckland's tourist attractions are, unsurprisingly, based around the maritime. When you've had enough of aquariums and the history of sailing, go looking for Maori culture and dinosaur skeletons, lie in the gardens or try stargazing at the ObservatorAuckland has exactly what you would expect from a city of its size and energy: something for everyone, from backpackers to business travellers. You can choose from hostels (book early if you're aiming for summer), university lodgings, B&Bs, serviced apartments, motels and glamour hotels.

Check out http://www.hotelrates.com for all your hotel bookings.

Summer is a happening time in Auckland. In January there are the Open Tennis Championships and the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, commemorating the arrival of Captain Hobson in New Zealand. Come March, the hugely popular Pasifika Festival celebrates Polynesian culture through music and performances at Western Springs. The Waiheke Jazz Festival also tunes up in March and full-size Maori waka (war canoes) take to the Waikato River, Ngaruawahia, for the Turangawaewae Regatta. November blooms with the Ellerslie Flower Show at the Botanic Gardens, and the year is wrapped up in December with the Auckland Cup at Ellerslie Race Course. Various small food, wine and music festivals crop up throughout the year.

Sights & Activities
 
 
Auckland is not easy to explore. Made up of a sprawling array of neighborhoods (Kiwis call them suburbs), the city spreads around both the Waitemata and Manukau harbors. It's best to have a car for getting around between neighborhoods, and even between some city-center sights. What might look like reasonable walking distances on maps can turn out to be 20- to 30-minute treks, and stringing a few of those together can get frustrating. If you want to see the city center close to the harbor, Ponsonby, Devonport, and Parnell, you can get around by walking, busing, and ferrying between places. To explore farther afield, it's best to drive.

If you're nervous about driving on the left, especially when you first arrive, purchase a one-day Link Bus Pass that covers the inner-city neighborhoods or, for a circuit of the main sights, an Explorer Bus Pass, and take a bus to get acquainted with the city layout. One good introduction to the city, particularly if you arrive at the end of a long flight and time is limited, is the commuter ferry that crosses the harbor to the village of Devonport, where you can soak up the charming suburb's atmosphere on a leisurely stroll.
 

What Aucklanders consider the city center stretches from the waterfront up around Queen Street, including the Viaduct. The neighborhoods known as Parnell and Ponsonby take their names from their major streets. Parnell, to the east of the center and bounded by Newmarket and Hobson Bay, has a wealth of historic buildings and chic restaurants. Ponsonby's narrow streets are lined with its iconic wooden Victorian villas, and its main strip is lined with cafés, bars, and restaurants. It lies to the west of the center and merges with the desirable north-facing suburbs of St. Mary's Bay and Herne Bay, known as the "northern slopes." Karangahape Road, or K Road, crosses the top of Queen Street, and has a colorful mix of shops and cheap eateries, encroaching on the diminishing seedy area toward the Ponsonby end. Newmarket, south of Parnell, brims with more upscale boutiques.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge spans the Waitemata Harbour, connecting the city with the highway north and the North Shore, where more suburbs sprawl north along a coast of safe swimming beaches.

A dozen "city ambassadors" patrol the city center on weekdays between 8:30 and 5; they can give you directions and field any other questions you might have. They're identified by their yellow and grey uniforms with "ambassador" written on their tops in red.