Auckland Packages/Deals & Travel Agents Near Me

Auckland is New Zealand's largest, most culturally diverse and cosmopolitan city. Its European, Pacific and Asian influences make it a destination unlike any other. But its urban credentials—a flourishing cultural life and abundant commerce—are often upstaged by its breathtaking geography. Sprawled across an isthmus, the city envelops more than 40 extinct volcanoes, several of which stand in green, pastoral parks overlooking a broad harbor, gulf islands and a seemingly endless shoreline.

Auckland's residents appreciate the city's two-sided personality: They view nature as one of life's privileges rather than a barrier to development, and the city's population is dispersed into neighborhoods of manageable size. All in all, Auckland is a gateway to nature and outdoor adventure, with fine dining and culture there for the asking, too.

Must See or Do

Sights—Panoramic views of the city and harbor from the Auckland Harbour Bridge and SkyCity and Sky Tower; a ferry trip to Devonport, Rangitoto Island or Waiheke Island; a drive through the Waitakere Ranges to the vast, wild west-coast beaches of Piha and Muriwai.

Museums—Cultural and natural-history exhibits at the Auckland Museum; New Zealand and international art at the Auckland Art Gallery; maritime history exhibits at the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum; Navy history and exhibits at the Navy Museum.

Memorable Meals—Savor meals with panoramic views at Orbit atop Sky Tower; quick bites at Federal Delicatessen below on Federal Street; fresh seafood at Sails Restaurant overlooking Westhaven Marina; fabulous food and fun at Libertine in the revitalized Victoria Park Market; Italian fare at Prego in Ponsonby.

Late Night—Dancing at Ink Bar; local rock bands and good beer at dive-y King;'s Arms; fantastic, interesting cocktails with a Japanese twist at Fukuko.

Walks—Visiting plant exhibits in the Auckland Domain Wintergardens or Auckland Botanic Gardens (Manurewa); strolling along Tamaki Drive or through Cornwall Park; hiking in the Waitakere Ranges; walking or cycling the Coast to Coast trail; wandering through historic Devonport, along beaches or on Rangitoto, Motutapu and Waiheke islands.

Especially for Kids—Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World; Rainbow's End; Butterfly Creek; SheepWorld; the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT); interactive children's exhibits at Auckland Museum; Auckland Zoo; Crystal Mountain; Stardome Observatory and Planetarium.

Geography

Auckland is on New Zealand's North Island. The city spreads across an isthmus between two harbors and two very different coastlines. The east coast, along the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf, is lined with golden sand and has translucent blue, calm waters. Manukau Harbour flows into the Tasman Sea on the west coast, beyond the forest-covered Waitakere Ranges, and is characterized by deep-blue water with unrelenting swells pounding stretches of black sand. Numerous dormant volcanoes dot the landscape and offer wonderful vistas.

The greater city of Auckland is really a sprawling set of neighborhoods and suburbs and was previously split into four cities: Manukau City (south), Waitakere City (west), North Shore City (north) and Auckland City (center). Auckland is a supercity, with one council and one mayor, but with regional representation.

The downtown area stretches uphill from the cruise-ship terminal area, which includes the Viaduct Basin, Princes Wharf, Queens Wharf (where the ferry terminal is located) and Wynyard Wharf. Queen Street is the main street in the CBD (Central Business District). Karangahape Road, called K' Road, connects Upper Queen Street to Ponsonby Road, the main street through Ponsonby, the neighborhood just west of the city center.

The east side is dominated by the Auckland Domain, a vast park, and the upscale neighborhoods of Parnell, just east of the park, and Remuera, still farther east. Two other inner-city neighborhoods are Newmarket (south of Parnell) and Newton-Kingsland (south of Ponsonby). The northern part of the metro area, the North Shore, is across the Harbour Bridge and includes the suburbs of Takapuna, Devonport and the northern suburbs called "the Bays."

The Mission Bay, Kohimarama and St. Heliers Bay waterfront is a popular place for tourists and locals alike. Visitors also gather at the North Shore beaches and in historic Devonport township.

History

The Maori, a Polynesian people, are recognized as being the first inhabitants of New Zealand. Evidence suggests that they arrived by canoe during the 13th century in a period when Polynesians did a lot of ocean voyaging. They began establishing strong communities on the North and South islands.

Easy access to the resources of the ocean and rich volcanic soil made the Auckland region highly desirable, which in turn made it the prize of conflict and war. Different Maori groups built fortified strongholds (pa) on the area's volcanoes: Mount Eden, Mount Victoria, One Tree Hill and Bastion Point.

In the early 1800s, the first British settlers began to arrive. Initially, they began establishing communities along the coastline through trading agreements with the Maori and then finally, in the 1860s, through armed conflict. The first governor general, William Hobson, "negotiated" the acquisition of 7,400 acres/3,000 hectares of land around the tallest volcano, Mount Eden. He declared Auckland the capital city in 1841 and set about making it the country's main trading port.

In 1865, Auckland lost its status as capital to Wellington. Nevertheless, greater Auckland became the largest city in New Zealand and home to a large population of Polynesian (mainly from Samoa, the Cook Islands and Tonga) and, more recently, Asian immigrants. The city remains one of the three main ports of call for cargo, visitors and information.

Potpourri

New Zealand has 38.5 million sheep, and about 288,000 of them graze in the Auckland region.

The Auckland isthmus is the narrowest strip of land in New Zealand.

New Zealand's first governor general named the harbor settlement to honor his patron back in England, Lord Auckland.

Auckland is called the Polynesian capital of the world. There are more Polynesian people living in South Auckland than in the Pacific Islands where they originated.

Visit Auckland Central Library to view New Zealand's only copy of Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories & Tragedies, a collection of 36 plays printed in 1623.

Karekare Beach in the Waitakere Ranges is where Jane Campion's movie The Piano was filmed.

The majority of Asian immigrants to New Zealand, predominantly from South Korea and China, live in Auckland, hence an abundance of Asian eateries and shops.

The pohutukawa tree (mainly found in coastal areas of the North Island) is often called the New Zealand Christmas tree because it flowers in December (summertime in the southern hemisphere). The trees become huge and are covered in clusters of bright red flowers.

Location

Shore Excursions