Out and About in Auckland
Two beautiful harbours, the Waitemata and the Manukau, provide a scenic canvas for this diverse metropolitan area, which encompasses 48 volcanoes, two harbours, 50 offshore islands, more than 50 vineyards, 30,000 hectares of native bush and 85,000 boats – the largest boat ownership per capita in the world. The beautiful location is combined with a host of sightseeing options, from sophisticated city attractions to magnificent beaches and bushwalks.
One of the best ways to get your bearings is to take a lift up the
Sky Tower – it's currently the Southern Hemisphere's tallest building and higher than the Eiffel Tower. There are four observation decks, including one outdoors, and a revolving restaurant offers spectacular 360 degree views. The Sky City Casino down below is New Zealand's largest and operates 24 hours, 365 days a year. Another excellent vantage point is One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie), an ancient Maori pa site (fortified village) whose summit provides fine views over the city and harbour.
City Dining and Entertainment
Auckland's cuisine style is best described as 'Pacific rim', with influences from throughout the region. You'll find hybrid menus with tastes from Thailand, Indonesia, Polynesia, China and Vietnam, as well as Europe and the Mediterranean. To experience Auckland's cafe culture, soak up some atmosphere along Ponsonby Road, with its chic cafes, bars, restaurants, antique shops and designer boutiques. For live Irish and rock music check out
The Dog's Bollix, a music venue bought by musicians, for musicians. There's no TV, no jukebox, just rollicking Irish dance music. If jazz is more your scene, the London Bar (Wellesley Street) is the place to go. Bassist Andy Brown has been playing here for 20 years and, as in all good jazz venues, top New Zealand and international players spontaneously drop in. If you fancy a late night laugh, the Classic Comedy Bar on Queen Street is one of Auckland's most entertaining venues, attracting comedy acts from around the world.
City Sights
Auckland's visitor icon is
Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. The howling winds of Antarctic greet you as the great New Zealand hero, Sir Edmund Hillary, fronts a video presentation on the Antarctic environment. Hillary was the first person to conquer Mount Everest and also crossed the Antarctic. A life-sized replica of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's hut provides insight into the minds of these intrepid explorers, as it asks the question, 'Why did they do it?' With the aid of some technical wizardry, it almost feels as if your enclosed snowcat vehicle is about to overturn in white-out conditions. You'll see penguins swim underwater and the acrylic dome passage allows you to watch the stingrays, snapper and sharks swim above and around you. It's the closest you'll get to being underwater without getting wet.
The
New Zealand National Maritime Museum will show you the role ships played in New Zealand's history, and the people who made, worked and used them. For the art lover, the
Auckland Art Gallery has the country's largest collection of art, including fine collections of early European and New Zealand masters. At the
Auckland Museum in the Domain, visitors can discover rare Maori treasures and explore New Zealand's natural history. The beautiful Domain Wintergardens feature temperate and tropical plants and more than 100 New Zealand fern and plant species.
Harbour Highlights
Getting out on the Waitemata Harbour is one of those things you've just got to do and there are almost 100 charter launches and yachts to help you do that. A short ferry ride across the harbour, the seaside village of Devonport enjoys a leisurely atmosphere. Visitors can climb Mt Victoria or North Head for fine views across to the city. Ferries also depart from downtown Auckland to the city's scenic Gulf Islands. Volcanic
Rangitoto (259m), with its unique scoria landscape and native bush, provides dramatic 360 degree views of the harbour.
Just 35 minutes away,
Waiheke Island is a popular holiday resort and beauty spot, famous for its sandy beaches, bush-clad hills and vineyards. Further afield is rugged
Great Barrier Island, offering unspoilt beaches, native bush and natural hot pools. North of Auckland, the ferry from
Sandspit travels to bush-clad
Kawau Island, known for its stately Mansion House, the former home of New Zealand Governor, Sir George Grey. Nearby
Tiritiri Matangi is a sanctuary for endangered native bird species and home to the Hauraki Gulf's oldest lighthouse.
Beaches
One of the best ways to experience Auckland's natural attractions is to pack a picnic and join the locals at one of the city's many beautiful beaches. On the North Shore, Takapuna, Milford, Cheltenham, Narrowneck and Long Bay all provide safe swimming. Heading east along Tamaki Drive, the bustling seaside villages of Mission Bay and St Heliers offer good swimming and beachfront dining. Heading west of Auckland are the wild, black sand beaches of the west coast.
Piha, Karekare (where New Zealand film-maker Jane Campion filmed scenes for
The Piano), and Bethell's Beach are popular with surfers and hikers, and offer some lovely coastal walks.
Muriwai Beach is known for its wild surf and home to a thriving gannet colony.
Back To Nature
Auckland's many parks and gardens are full of surprises, with tree-lined walks, lakes and flower-filled gardens. The Domain (81 hectares) is Auckland's oldest park and home to the city's museum. Locals come here to lie in the sun, enjoy the gardens, feed the ducks and watch cricket. At Western Springs, animal lovers can check out the
Auckland Zoo, home to more than 600 animals. Zoo habitats include a rainforest and an African savannah, complete with rhino, giraffe, springbok, zebra and lion.
West of Auckland, the Waitakere Ranges contain about 200km of walking and hiking tracks, and more than 500 species of native trees and plants. To get to grips with the network of tracks leading to kauri trees, cascading waterfalls, and the wild coastline of the Waitakere Ranges, drop in on the
Arataki Heritage and Environment Centre on Scenic Drive. South of Auckland, the rugged Hunua Ranges offer bushwalks with fine views across to the Coromandel Peninsula.
Out Of Auckland
North of Auckland, scenic
Rodney County is a fascinating place to visit, with bush-clad hills, historic settlements and thriving vineyards. Beautiful coastline borders much of the area and there are hot springs at
Waiwera Thermal Resort, and a great swimming beach at Wenderholme Regional Park. For those who want to venture further afield, tour operators run day trips to the
Bay of Islands, the
Waitomo Caves and the thermal areas of
Rotorua.