Auckland Travel Guide
Travel guide to Auckland, New Zealand with comprehensive information about events, shopping, and major Auckland sporting events to help you enjoy your visit more.
Auckland Overview
Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and is the home of around a third of the country's population. Known as the City of Sails, it sprawls alongside a large natural harbour, and has become a popular sailing and water sports destination, as well as being the cultural and historical centre of New Zealand. There are plenty of museums to visit, a vast selection of bars and clubs in the popular Harbourfront area to relax in, many sports on land and at sea available to enjoy, and some of the best shopping in the southern hemisphere.
Auckland is the most easily accessible city in New Zealand, and there are regular international flights from the UK that go through either the Far East and Australia, or the USA on offer to get you there. Once you arrive, most things are pretty good value, and there is a good selection of attractions to enjoy and hotels to stay in.
Very popular as a stop off on a round the world trip, New Zealand, and Auckland in particular have a reputation for offering a range of extreme experiences and adrenaline junkies are well served around the city.
Throughout the year, there are cheap flights to Auckland in New Zealand, and, particularly in the southern winter season, there are bargains to be had on package holidays that can be tailor made to your needs.
New Zealand is a destination that people visit again and again, finding themselves drawn by the relaxed pace of life, the beautiful scenery and the friendly people. It's a great place to unwind with the whole family, and offers loads to do no matter who you are.
Top Auckland Attractions
The tallest building in the southern hemisphere is the 328m tall Skytower that dominates the skyline of Auckland. Aside from the casino and leisure complex at the base, the view from the top is awe-inspiring. For a fee of NZ$195 (about £75), you can attach yourself to a wire and jump off the top to "enjoy" a free fall descent of the tower.
If such acts of madness are not to your taste, there are plenty of other diversions, including the Howick Historic Village, and the Museum of Transport and Social History. After visiting these attractions, take another look at the Skytower. You'll probably want to jump off for real!
Shopping in Auckland
The most popular shopping area in Auckland is at Aotea Square, where there is a regular market selling a mixture of clothes and crafts. Some of the southern hemisphere's hottest fashion designers are based in Auckland, so for knitwear and designer clothes, it is a great place to pick up some bargains.
Some of the largest populations of Maoris in the country live in the city, so there are a number of places locally where you can buy their distinctive craft and jewellery - they make ideal souvenirs.
Auckland Sporting Events
Auckland offers the chance to really indulge your passion for water sports - especially if you head for the beach areas along Tamaki Drive. Here you can hire surfboards, sea kayaks and wind surfers by the hour and get out and explore the bay for yourself.
Diving is available from a number of small schools in Auckland, and with several breathtaking reefs and shipwrecks just off shore, there us plenty to see.
Auckland the sailing capital of the country, and recently hosted the Americas Cup, so if you want to sail, then this is the place to go. Statistics show that as many people own boats as cars in the city, and most of them will be happy to take you out for the day.
Those who prefer to stick to dry land will probably enjoy the cricket and rugby matches that are frequently played in Auckland, especially when the national team - the All Blacks are in town.
