New Zealand > Auckland

Travel Team Home > Destination Information > Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland is often known as the "City of Sails" for the large number of yachts that grace the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. It could also be known as the "City of Volcanoes". Much of its natural character comes from the fact that it is built on the Auckland Volcanic Field which consists of about 48 volcanoes. All of the volcanoes are individually extinct but the volcanic field as a whole is not.

Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia. For some Polynesian island nations, there are more expatriates living in Auckland than in their homeland. Auckland's rich Pacific cultural mix is celebrated at festivals and sporting matches.

What to See and Do:

• Auckland War Memorial Museum, Domain Drive, Parnell. 10AM-5PM. It is more than a war memorial, it is a general museum and one of the best in New Zealand. It stands in an imposing position in the Auckland Domain, a large park on an extinct volcano. Suggested donation $5 adult.
• New Zealand National Maritime Museum, Corner Quay and Hobson Street, Viaduct Harbour. Interesting exhibits chronicle New Zealand's Maritime history. Admission $16 adult, $7 children, $11 senior citizens.
• Sky Tower, Corner Victoria and Federal Streets. At 328 meters, this is the tallest free-standing tower in the Southern Hemisphere, offering views of up to 80 kilometers away and fine dining in the Orbit revolving restaurant.
• Auckland Art Gallery, Corner Wellesley and Lorne streets,10AM-5PM. The largest collection of national and international art in New Zealand. It is split across two buildings, the main gallery and new gallery. Adults $7.
• Auckland Zoo, Motions Rd, Western Springs. Sep-May 9.30AM-5.30PM (last admissions at 4.15PM), Jun-Aug 9.30AM-5PM, closed 25 Dec. Has 150 animal species, 500 animals and a number of different habitats such as the Rainforest and Pridelands (an African savannah). Adults $16, children 4-15 $8, seniors and students with ID $12, family rates available.
• The StarDome Observatory. Located on the slopes of One Tree Hill. The park also contains Maori archaeological sites, a kid's playgrounds and a working farm.
• Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Adventure. Located on Auckland’s scenic Tamaki Drive and the home of Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. It's an aquarium which includes a trip through a transparent tunnel while the fish and sharks swim all around you, and tanks of rays with feeding-time talks.
• Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens. Located in Manurewa (South Auckland) has over 10,000 different plant types spread over 65 hectares with both natives and exotics. 
• The Waitakere Ranges are Auckland’s best kept secret. With stunning waterfalls breathtaking views and rugged but beautiful beaches, around 45 minutes drive from central Auckland.
• Drive or walk up one of Auckland's many volcanic cones such as One Tree Hill or Mount Eden to experience panoramic views of the city, and to see sheep and cows in a major metropolitan area!
• Climb the Auckland Harbour Bridge 
• Do the Sky Jump, a cable controlled base jump from a height of 192m on the Sky Tower.
• Or, try the Sky Walk, a walk around a 1.2m walkway with no hand rails.
• Wine tasting on Waiheke Island. Waiheke is home to some fantastic wines and has some of the best beaches in the area. Can get crowded during the weekends, but very quiet during the week, it seems a world away from Auckland, and is only 35 minutes away via Ferry.
• Rainbow's End, is New Zealand's premier family-based theme park with many rides and attractions.
• Bush Walks are unguided walks through forestry whose entrances can be found by roadsides. The paths are generally either wooden or smoothly-trodden earth.

Shopping:

Auckland is home to many established and up-and-coming local designers. Karen Walker on O'Connell St in the city centre which is also the location of the MYHART store, stocking the New Zealand label Lonely Hearts Club, as well as Australian designers Tina Kalivas, Josh Goot, and Gail Sorronda.

High Street, parallel to O'Connell St, has local designer stores as well as international brands. Look out for womenswear in Kate Sylvester, Ruby, Moochi, Ricochet, and the WORLD Luxury Store, stocking the eponymous label as well as items from international brands. For menswear, visit Little Brother, Crane Brothers, and WORLD Man. For New Zealand and international brands, see Workshop, Brave, Browns and Fabric, along with Ashley Ardrey for shoes.

The Aotea Square markets (Queen Street) are held on Fridays and Saturdays and often feature original designers in addition to the usual market fare.

Ponsonby is another great shoppng area. On Ponsonby Rd, find womenswear in Sera Lily, Miss Crabb, Hepburn, Jaimie Stocking local and international brands (Vivienne Westwood), IsaKelle, and various other stores, including Sybella for shoes.

Dining:

There are a huge variety of numerous eating establishments to be found in Auckland, from cheap all-hours takeaways to fine dining.  This is a sample of some of them.

• The Viaduct Harbour provides upmarket dining, starting at $30 for mains.
• The Deve Bar & Brasserie has top-notch beef & lamb among others. A relaxed place, and the neighborhood has other good restaurants, cafes and a couple of bars.
• Saika Japanese Takeaway Common Japanese food. Gyudon, Katsudon, Chicken-don etc. Japanese-speaking staff available. Meals from $8.
• GPK restaurant and bar Woodfired pizza specialty, meals from around $20-30.
• Japanese Cuisine Bien Lunch M-F 11AM-3PM; dinner Tu-Sa 6-10PM. Sushi, teriyaki chicken rice bowl, eel, etc.
• South Vietnam Restaurant Lunch: M-F 11AM-3PM, Su 11AM-10PM, closed on Saturdays. Dinner: Tu-Sa 5:30-10PM, closed on Mondays and national holidays. Lunch from $6.50, dinner from $12.
• Valentine's Restaurant. Traditional buffet restaurants in many locations around Auckland.
• Hare Krishna Food For Life Just $5 for a vegetarian dinner.
• Finale Restaurant and Cabaret. Buffet meal and Drag Cabaret Shows.
• Ariake Japanese Restaurant Cheap ($12) lunch specials. Serving most Japanese dishes, but no Teppanyaki. Lunch: Mon-Sat 12p-2p; dinner: Mon-Sat 6p-10p (9:30PM last order); closed on Sundays & New Zealand Public Holidays
• Sushi Bento Premier Sushi destination.
• Burger Fuel Delicious gourmet burgers.
• Mezze Bar Serves tapas and other dishes. Often busy but worth the wait.
• Mexicali Fresh Fast, fresh & healthy Mexican food on Auckland's waterfront $13.50.
• The SKYCITY entertainment complex has a dozen restaurants for all tastes and budgets, including the authentic Spanish Tapas bar Bellota, the fine dining dine by Peter Gordon, and the revolving restaurant Orbit.
• There are some good cheap food courts (food halls) about offering a variety of usually Asian foods. For downtown food halls, try next to the Queens' Arcade at the bottom of Queen St (slightly hidden entrance), or the Metro award-winning one at the bottom of Albert St. The Ponsonby International food court has the cheapest eats in this somewhat pricey neighborhood with the Mexican stall a standout among the Asian stalls.

Drink: