Auckland City Guide

New Zealand>Auckland City Guide

Auckland, located in the North Island of New Zealand, is nicknamed as "The City of Sails" as it has the highest number of boats per head of population in the world. It is the largest city in New Zealand and the prime international gate way. Auckland's spotlight is not only boats but also that it is surrounded by about 48 volcanoes.
The best view of this city is from the 200 meters high Mount Eden and One Tree Hill. From its summit you can get a full, panoramic, 360 degree view of the city's bays, islands, hills and cityscape. Both are volcanic cones that were once the site of Maori pas, or fortified villages.

You can also get a great panoramic view of Auckland from Auckland Sky Tower which towering over the skyline of Auckland, like a giant hypodermic needle. It is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sky Tower is 328 meters tall, making its name as the sixth- tallest tower in the world. It is well worth a visit to this spectacular well known spot.

With a very symbolic nickname, Auckland presents its visitors with an awesome view and spectacular events. Some of th events are the Millennium's First Sail, Fire in the Sky 2000, First Night Auckland 2000 and Ellerslie Flower Show.

Serenity is also one of the best Auckland presents you. It offers variety and beautiful scenery as a tranquil escape from city life. It's the home for Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, where you can come face to face with real live sharks and penguins.

Get a taste of flower fragrance, visit the Eden Gardens which is right next to the Mount Eden, a very attractive park with some nice rose and flower gardens planted in the rich volcanic earth.

The Auckland Domain is a very large park near the center of the city full of trees, gardens and playing fields. One can spend the best part of a day or two exploring this area of the city. The Domain hosts the Winter Gardens, and several glasshouses full of tropical plants. It is well worth a visit in Auckland.

The beaches of Northland, the peninsula stretching away from Auckland, are particularly popular with swimmers and sunbathers. There are many small beach settlements throughout the country, ideal for a quiet and relaxing holiday.

Many of the North land nature can be explored via the forests of Northland Forest Park, contains some of the world's oldest trees, the famous kauri, many of which are hundreds of years old and the area is a popular destination for hiking trips.

Enjoy something classic, Auckland is a home to many fine galleries and museums. The Auckland Museum that is located on a hill in the South East part of the Domainis has the world's largest collection of Polynesian artifacts and noted for its great display of outstanding masterpieces of Maori art and displays of New Zealand's natural history and birdlife.

The Auckland City Art Gallery in Downtown, is host to international exhibitions and contains a fine selection of New Zealand and European works. The Hobson Wharf Maritime Museum on the city waterfront depicts New Zealand maritime history that is simply remarkable.

Enjoy your shopping in fascinating Auckland with multiple choices for you. One of the enchanting shopping havens is the Sheep World Warkworth, top quality New Zealand sheep made products, Victoria Park Market -Auckland's leading shopping located in the heart of Auckland, Regency Duty Free Stores Ltd. and The Great New Zealand Shop Ltd.

Dine in at the superb restaurants in Auckland and eat with all your heart for it has a wide array of cuisine to offer you, ranging from the best of New Zealand's food to international cuisine. Its wine list is international in scope, with an emphasis on the best of New Zealand's wines.

Getting There and Moving Around

By rail

Tranz Rail Ltd operates a reliable rail service on 4000km of railway with many routes of great scenic attraction. The Overlander runs between Auckland and Wellington (daytime and overnight) with good views of forests, gorges Trans Scenic and volcanic peaks. There are also express services between Auckland and Rotorua, Auckland and Tauranga and Wellington and Napier.

By road

There are regional bus networks which serve most parts of the country. Good local bus services are provided in the main towns, both Auckland and Wellington have zonal fares with pre-purchase tickets and day passes.

Also there are metered taxis operating throughout the country. Car hire sevices is also provided from major international firms and local firms where they have offices at airports and most major cities and towns.

Moving Around

The modes of transport that are available for you to move around Auckland are mainly by rail and by road, it is such a wonderful city to be in, with the convenience of its transportation provided.