Auckland Travel Guide

Auckland is one of the most sparkling jewels of New Zealand located on the North Island around two large harbours. It is the largest and the ‘Super City’ of the country boasting of both urban charm and natural beauty. The local Maori gave it a wonderful name ‘Tamaki Makau Rau, which means ‘The Maiden Sought by a hundred lovers’. For sure this charming city is sought after by travelers across the world. So if you are planning for Auckland Travel, do refer the Auckland Travel Guide for everything important you need to know about Auckland.

The center of city is dominated with the famous Sky Tower which offers fascinating views of Viaduct Harbour peppered with superyachts and lined with cafes and bars. Experience natural beauty, adventure and history at the Auckland’s oldest park, Auckland Domain which is located around an extinct volcano. The Park also houses the historic Winter Garden teeming with rare and spectacular plants. It has two large display glasshouses. Sit around the lily pond in the courtyard and enjoy the tranquil ambiance. Take a stroll through the Fernz Fernery with more than a hundred varieties of ferns. You can enjoy ponds, sports-fields and woodland walking paths at the park. The Park can be visited throughout the year. These are just a few attractions that you can visit during your Auckland travel. The list goes on…

Auckland Travel Guide strongly suggests you to visit The Domain also houses Auckland’s War Memorial Museum showcasing rich history of Auckland. It displays one of the largest Pacific art collections in the world, including Maori, Pacific, Micronesian, Polynesian, and Melanesian arts and taonga (treasures). There are several learning centers within the exhibitions in the museum. Enter the original Wharenui (Meeting House), where you can experience the life of the first people who inhabited this land. The architectural beauty of the Kaitaia Carving, a ceremonial gateway built in the 1300-1400 AD is amazing. The exhibition also showcases artifacts collected from 18th and 19th-century and fortified cities. The daily Maori cultural performances are a treat to the senses.

Well, how can you miss out on the Hauraki Gulf and its several islands when you are planning for Auckland Travel. Of course you shouldn’t! Visit Waiheke Island which is closest to the mainland and boasts of emerald waters and world-class wineries. Next destination you must head to be the Goat Island Marine Reserve, an amazing ecosystem. Apart from beautiful waters, Auckland also has natural delights for its travellers such as volcanic cones, thermal springs, rainforests, sprawling parks and much more.

Auckland is aptly called the ‘City of Sails’ with harbours peppered with powerboats, pleasure craft, cruise ships, ferries, tourist boats, kayaks and charter boats. You will see these in plenty during the Auckland’s Anniversary Regatta, the oldest sporting event in New Zealand. Other water vehicles you can enjoy during Regatta are radio controlled yachts, canoes, heritage vessels, Dragon boats, flying multihulls and some fastest boats. The view of hundreds of boats racing through the waters is a sight to behold.

To enjoy more of the water adventure in Auckland take a ferry at the Downtown Ferry building which will sail you to several mesmerizing islands within the Auckland Isthmus. Each island- Rangitoto Island, Waiheke Island, Tirititi Matangi, Motuhie, Kawau and Great Barrier Island have their own unique charm.

Auckland Travel Guide gives special mention to Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium when it comes to city attractions. This aquarium is the place to be for enjoying thrill and adventure. Get up-close-and personal with the enchanting marine life while walking through its moving walkway. You can witness and hand-feed aquatic creatures like sharks, stingrays and tropical fish in huge aquariums. Watch the King and Gentoo penguins playing in their habitat. Kelly Tarlton’s also boasts of an Antarctic Encounter gallery with snow-filled penguin enclosure stressing the close association of New Zealand with Antarctica's international scientific communities. Enjoy the aquarium's Shark Cage Snorkel and Shark Dive experiences here.

The Western Spring in Auckland has amazing attractions to offer- Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), Auckland Zoo and nearby lake and park which are perfect getaway for rejuvenation. In the Zoo capture sights of New Zealand’s native Kiwi and Tuatara in their natural habitat and many other enchanting wildlife. Children can have fun in the Paddle Pop Kid Zone where they can climb the huge iconic ‘friendly dragon’.

MOTAT boasts of a rich collection of more than 300,000 items reflecting the rich history of New Zealand’s. Take a tram trip with the Double Decker Big Ben tram and get ferried from the main Motat site to Motat’s Aviation Collection. This collection takes pride in the only Solent Mark IV Flying Boat and a WW2 Avro Lancaster Bomber’s one of only a few left in the world. There is much more to be explored in Auckland. Auckland Travel Guide provides information on the best and must-see attractions of Auckland to make your Auckland Travel pleasurable and memorable. Take your pick!

Driving Distances and Travelling Times to Auckland

Cape Reinga to Auckland: 436 km and 6:15 hr.
Hamilton to Auckland: 127 km and 1:45 hr.
Paihia to Auckland: 240 km and 3:30 hr.
Rotorua to Auckland: 235 km and 3:20 hr.
Taupo to Auckland: 278 km and 4 hr.
Tauranga to Auckland: 205 km and 3 hr.
Thames to Auckland: 114 km and 1:45 hr.

Waitomo to Auckland: 200 km and 2:45 hr.
Whakapapa Village to Auckland: 345 km and 5 hr.

The distances and times calculated above are approximate. The time taken on the journeys will depend on road conditions and rest stops.