Auckland Region

Auckland City of Sails
Auckland City of Sails
New Zealand
Auckland Region

Introduction:   The bush-clad hills of the Waitakere Ranges line Auckland’s western skyline, the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours lap the city’s shores, and 48 volcanic cones form natural landmarks around the city.  These features are the essence of Auckland, the footprint on which the city has grown.  Named Tamaki Makau Rau (place of 100 lovers) by the Maori, for the charms of its fertile volcanic soils, its sheltered harbours and its temperate climate, the isthmus has attracted settlers for hundreds of years, and today, its cosmopolitan mix of Pacific, European and Asian peoples ensure its cultural diversity.  Ranking 4th on the 2009 Mercer Quality of Living Survey, this sprawling City has its roots in the harbour-side CBD, inner-city suburbs such as Parnell, Newmarket, Ponsonby and Herne Bay, and waterfront suburbs such as Devonport and Mission Bay.  The Waitemata Harbour, and the Hauraki Gulf, onto which it opens, is lined by a bevy of sandy beaches, such as Mission Bay, Devonport’s Cheltenham Beach, and Takapuna, and is dotted with islands which are easily accessible by ferry from the CBD.  An extensive network of parks and reserves, many with public barbeque facilities, dot the city, and public artworks within the parks bring the beauties of nature and art together for visitors to enjoy.  The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, on the city’s western doorstep, is the gateway to Auckland’s West Coast beaches, including Piha and Karekare.  Wild and untamed compared to their eastern cousins, the rolling breakers and long stretches of the West Coast’s black sand beaches attract surfers and those who enjoy the wind in their hair and sunsets over the sea.  Within easy driving distance of Auckland City, the coastal settlements of the Coromandel Peninsula to the South, and Warkworth/Matakana Coast and the Bay of Islands to the North are all memorable ‘short break’ destinations.   Auckland Activities   Google Auckland Map


No booking fees  - Pay hotel on arrival.
And in many cases rooms offer free cancellation.
Accommodation in Auckland

Auckland City Transport Information
Auckland’s public transport system is centred on bus, train and ferry services, with the Britomart Transport Centre in the CBD as its Hub.

Auckland Airport:
Voted among the top ten airports in the world, Auckland Airport is located 21km south of downtown Auckland.  More..

Buses: travel to all suburbs. Free red City Circuit buses circle the CBD, while fixed price services aboard the green Link Bus join the CBD with the inner city suburbs of Parnell, Newmarket, Grafton, K Road and Ponsonby (both directions).  Tickets are available on-board from the driver.
For full timetable, fare and route information:
www.maxx.co.nz

Trains: operate along three routes - the Western, Southern and Eastern Lines.  Interchanges between the Western and Southern lines are possible at Newmarket Station, and between the Eastern and Southern Lines at Otahuhu Station.  Transfers to airport buses are available at Britomart, Mt Eden Station (Western Line) and Papatoetoe Station (Southern Line).  Train transport to special events at Eden Park (Western Line, Kingsland Station), Ellerslie Racecourse (Southern Line, Greenlane Station), Mt Smart Stadium (Southern Line, Penrose Station), and Vector Arena (Britomart Station) is usually free on production of pre-purchased tickets.  Train tickets may be purchased in advance at Britomart, Newmarket and Papakura Stations, or on-board from the conductor.  Tickets for the journey south on the Overlander should be purchased in advance.
For full timetable, fare and route information:
www.maxx.co.nz
www.tranzscenic.co.nz

Passenger ferries: run regularly to the North Shore, the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and Coromandel township (Coromandel Peninsula), and less frequently to West Harbour, Gulf Harbour (Whangaparaoa Peninsula) and Pine Harbour (eastern suburbs) from the Auckland Ferry Terminal, part of the Britomart Transport Hub.  Car and passenger ferries to Great Barrier and Waiheke Islands leave from Wynyard Wharf (Freemans Bay) and Half Moon Bay, (eastern suburbs).
For full timetable, fare and route information:
www.fullers.co.nz
www.sealink.co.nz
www.360discovery.co.nz
www.maxx.co.nz

Taxis: may be hired directly from taxi ranks throughout the city, or a pre-arranged pick-up from a specific address can be ordered by phone or online.  At peak times or on public holidays, arrange your taxi well in advance.  Your accommodation host will advise on travel times.  Note: Taxis cannot be hailed in New Zealand.
Check out www.greencabs.co.nz (hybrid fleet)
www.corporatecabs.co.nz
www.cooptaxi.co.nz

Rental bikes: are available at numerous racks around the city, and can be accessed by registering your mobile number (national or international), credit or debit card details, email address and PIN.
www.nextbike.co.nz


WAITEMATA HARBOUR AND HAURAKI GULF
The deep, sheltered waters of the Waitemata Harbour are the perfect playground for Auckland’s water sport enthusiasts.  The Waitemata, interpreted by some to mean “sparkling waters’ and by others to mean “obsidian waters”, is the jewel in Auckland’s crown. The city’s nickname “The City of Sails” is a well-deserved title, Auckland boasting the largest number of boats per head of population in the world.  The 18km Harbour stretches east-west, and is straddled by the Auckland Harbour Bridge and the North Harbour Bridge, which join the Auckland isthmus to the city’s North Shore.  Wind-surfing, yachting and kayaking enthusiasts gather from around the world to compete and play on Auckland’s shores, and there are few who wouldn’t recognize Auckland’s bush-clad volcanic landmark, Rangitoto Island.  The islands of the Gulf are many, each with their individual character.  Exploring the many faces of the Gulf, from the rolling hills and vineyards of Waiheke, the protected sanctuaries of Tiritiri Matangi, Little Barrier (Hauturu) and Rangitoto, the historical sites of Kawau Island and the deserted surf-pounded beaches of Great Barrier Island, is an enjoyable and popular pastime, for residents and visitors alike.  It’s not only humans who love the Harbour.  In winter, pods of dolphins and orca visit regularly, much to the delight of on-shore observers.


Onetangi Beach , Waiheke Island
Onetangi Beach , Waiheke Island

View towards the City from Mt Victoria, Devomport
View towards the City from Mt Victoria, Devonport

Devonport ferry
Devonport ferry

Waitemata Plaza, Viaduct Harbour, Cytoplasm sculpture is a kinetic artwork by Phil Price
Waitemata Plaza, Viaduct Harbour, Cytoplasm sculpture is a kinetic artwork by Phil Price

Hauraki Gulf views from Mt Eden
Hauraki Gulf views from Mt Eden

 

Things to do in Auckland