If you are thinking of traveling to Auckland, New Zeland, you are in the right place. Auckland, a residential center built on a volcanic field, is New Zealand‘s most developed city with its lush parks, wide beaches, harbours, shopping and entertainment life.
Along the northern and southern coasts of Auckland lies the 250-kilometer-long Hauraki Gulf. The “City of Sails” hosts the American Cup in Auckland’s biggest yachting competition.
The city has a relaxing and calm atmosphere. Auckland is considered one of the most livable cities in the world with its young population and friendly people. With its unique beaches, subtropical forests, museums, festivals and cultural events, Auckland creates a wide range of tourism. The cultural and architectural structures of the city emerged as a dynasty of European and Polynesian culture.
Must-see places for those who want to visit Auckland; Auckland Domain Park, Auckland Museum, the famous 328 meter tall Sky Tower, Auckland Zoo, Auckland Harbor, Auckland Art Gallery, StarDome Observatory, Auckland Botanical Gardens, Eden Garden, also known as “The Garden of Eden”, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Water Its Six Worlds and Historic Howick Village.
It has a prominent place in Auckland’s existing local communities, hosting the world’s most populous Polynesian community. In many museums in the city, artifacts related to the cultures of the Maoris, the natives of New Zealand who migrated from Fiji and Polynesia, are exhibited.
Auckland’s most famous street is Queen Street. There are many restaurants, shops, cafes and bars on the street. On the beach side of Queen Street, there is the Viaduct Harbor, which is famous for its nightlife.
Across the Viaduct is the “Devenport” district. It is possible to watch the view of Auckland from Devenport, which offers a magnificent aesthetic understanding with its colonial architectural buildings, bars and cafes.
Where Is Auckland?
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Auckland. Auckland is located on the north island of New Zealand.
When To Go To Auckland?
Auckland has a temperate but rainy climate. When determining the departure date, it should be taken into account that the city is in the southern hemisphere.
Trip To Auckland
Auckland, which manages to enter the top five almost every year among the most livable cities in the world, is a very diverse city with its natural beauties, modern city life and cultural riches. Auckland, which has been modernized without losing its natural beauties, offers a wide range of both nature and cultural tourism.
Auckland Domain Park and Auckland Museum
Known as the oldest and largest park in the city, Auckland Domain Park was built in 1845. Spread over an area of 81 hectares, the park includes artificial lakes, a winter garden, greenhouses, passages and sculptures. The Auckland Museum is a Greco-Roman style building located within the Auckland Domain Park.
The museum features exhibits of the People of the Pacific, Natural History, and New Zealand War Stories. Apart from the exhibits, the museum also contains historical artifacts from the culture of the Maoris, who are natives of New Zealand.
Address: Domain Street, Domain Park, Parnell, Auckland
Sky Tower
The Sky Tower is known as the tallest building in the southern hemisphere and New Zealand. The 328-meter-tall tower has an elevator that can take you to the top floor in 40 seconds. The Sky City Complex includes various units such as a casino, theatre, hotel, conference hall, sports center and restaurant.
A sky walk, which attracts great interest from adventurous tourists, is held at the iron awning at the 192nd meter of the Sky Tower. The sky walk, which is secured with special steel ropes, allows guests to experience a unique air walking experience. Again, sky jump is performed on the 192nd floor. The same safety precautions are applied during this jump.
Address: Junction of Victoria and Federal streets, Auckland
Auckland Art Gallery
Considered as the most important art gallery in New Zealand, the Auckland Art Gallery consists of two different buildings, the “Heritage Museum Building”, where the historical artworks of Maori culture and the works of artists depicting the colonial period are exhibited, and the “New Gallery”, which includes modern art works. There is also a gift shop and cafe inside the gallery.
Address: Cnr Kitchener and Wellesley streets, Auckland
StarDome Observatory
StarDome Observatory, which includes a farm, playground and archaeological excursion area from the Maori period, was built in 1996 and is located on a large green area.
An astronomical spectacle is presented at the StarDome Observatory. In the 30-minute multimedia show, visitors are shown visuals about space, astronauts and the world’s unknowns. If the weather conditions are suitable, the stars and planets can also be observed with the telescope.
Address: Manukau Street, No: 670, One Tree Hill neighborhood, Royal Oak, Auckland
Auckland Botanical Gardens
Created in 1982, Auckland Botanical Gardens is located in the suburb of Manurewa on a vast 64-hectare area. It is possible to attend workshops on horticulture and garden care in the gardens that contain 10,000 exotic and local plants. Reservation is required to attend workshops.
Address: Hill Street, No: 102, Manurewa, Auckland
Auckland Zoo
With more than 1,000 animals, Auckland Zoo is a zoo that supports the natural environment for animals and is home to many types of animals. Instead of exhibiting animals in cages, living spaces suitable for their nature have been created.
The Auckland Zoo is made up of three different parts: New Zealand, Rainforest, and Africa. Visitors can participate in activities such as safari walks and photography courses.
Address: Motion Street, Western Springs, Auckland
Heaven’s Garden
The Garden of Eden is a nature park established at the foot of the Volcanic Mount Heaven. Set on an area of two and a half hectares, the Garden of Eden is famous for its award-winning ornamental gardens. The famous Southern Hemisphere camellias and many other flower species grow in the Garden of Eden. There are also many statues and a 13.5-metre waterfall in the garden. There is also a cafe in the garden where visitors can relax.
Address: Omaha Square, No:24, Auckland
Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter And The Underwater World
Founded in 1985 by famous New Zealand explorer and diver Kelly Tarlton, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World offers its visitors a unique experience where they can observe ocean creatures by walking through underwater tunnels.
Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World includes a hotel, restaurant, conference and training room. In this center where ocean creatures can be observed in their natural environment, those who wish can also dive with sharks.
In the Antarctic Meeting section; It is possible to watch king penguins in their natural habitats.
Address: Tamaki Road, Auckland
Historic Howick Village
Historical Howick Village became the living space of 1500 Malori natives in 1840, and later became a museum that preserves the texture of the period with 33 model houses bearing the traces of this period. Employees of Howick village, which is considered a three-dimensional living museum, greet their visitors with their period clothes and portray various historical events in the village area.
Address: Corner of Lady Marie and Bells roads, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, Auckland
Transportation In Auckland
When you travel to Auckland, you should also know how to get there. Auckland has many forms of public transport such as buses, trams and ferries. Urban transportation can be provided easily by using these vehicles. Hybrid buses in red, called City Circuit Free Bus, operate free of charge. These buses operate between 08:00 and 18:00 on weekdays and run every ten minutes.
The Link
The city public transportation service called The link operates between 06.00-19.00 on weekdays, 07.00-18.00 on Saturdays, and between 07.00-11.30 every 15 minutes on Sundays.
Motat
The Motat tram, operated by the Museum of Transport and Technology, runs between the museums.
Ferry
Ferry transportation is provided by a company called Waiheke Shipping with two ferryboats, one for passengers only and the other as a car ferry. Sea Link, on the other hand, operates car and passenger ferries to the Great Barrier Island 6 days a week during the summer months.
It is also possible to travel in Auckland with two-seater bicycles provided free of charge by the Jafa Cabs bicycle company.
Water taxis of Reubens Cruises are also available in the city.
Transportation from Auckland Airport to City Center
By Airport Express Buses,
It is possible to reach the city center with the airport express buses, which depart every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends. Tickets can be purchased online or on the bus.
Taxi,
By bus,
You can reach the city center from the airport by bus number 375. The bus line operates between 06.30 and 18.30.
Rent a car,
You can rent a car through car rental companies such as Hertz and Europcar located outside the airport terminal and reach the city center.
New Zealand Cuisine
Your trip to Auckland continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Auckland. The multiculturalism of the city is also reflected in the Auckland cuisine, allowing different flavors to be exhibited in many cafes and restaurants.
New Zealand’s own unique cuisine, on the other hand, was formed by synthesizing the recipes of the indigenous people of the country, the Maori, and the British dishes, whose consumption spread during the colonial period.
All kinds of seafood are available in Auckland. Fried scallops are one of the city’s specialties. Colony excavation specialty is; It was a recipe obtained by a soldier who could not find a goose during the colonial period, stuffing honey and dried peaches on a leg of lamb, marinating it with red wine and cooking it in the oven. With this recipe, the leg of lamb gives the taste of goose meat.
Delicious wine can be found in the area, as Auckland has many old vineyards and winemaking facilities. The most famous wine varieties; Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Popular Restaurants
- Lemon
- Midnight Express
- Kebab on Queen
- Industry Zen
- Le Garde Manger
- Mission Bay Cafe
- One Tree Grill
- FISH Restaurant
Tip: There is no tradition of tipping in New Zealand. In restaurant accounts, the price seen on the menu is paid, there are no hidden fees.
Shopping In Auckland
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Auckland trip with shopping? The Newmarket district, 10 minutes (by car) from Auckland’s city centre, is home to boutiques displaying designs by famous brands and designers.
Auckland’s most famous shopping places are located in Chancery, Vulcan streets and High Street. The main famous Auckland brands are Karen Walker, Marla Brajkovic, Workshop and World. Besides, the souvenir section of the New Zealand Maritime Museum is very nice. Here you can buy books about Auckland and traditional Kiwiana souvenirs. The souvenir section of Auckland Zoo is also worth seeing. Here you can buy toys, clothes and books for children.
You can find handmade products at Elephant House in the town of Parnell. You can buy bone carvings and wood products from vendors who have been selling their products here for over 30 years.
Auckland Nightlife
Located on the beach side of Queen Street, Viaduct Harbor is the center of the city’s nightlife. Also known as the Waterfront, this area offers its visitors a vibrant entertainment life with its seaside bars and restaurants. The area, which is quiet during the daytime, gets crowded in the evening and on weekends. Here, you can try different types of beers in nice bars, and you can have good meals by tasting wines in restaurants. When you travel to Auckland, do not leave without tasting the nightlife!
Popular Bars
- Brooklyn Bar & Lounge
- Fu Bar
- The Whiskey
Popular Restaurants
- Stamford Plaza Auckland
- Orbit 360° Dining
- Clooney
Auckland Festivals
Auckland Arts Festival: Held annually in March. Cultural activities are organized in fields such as painting, theatre, music, dance, sculpture and visual arts. Auckland Anniversary Yacht Race Festival: Held every year on January 21, the festival is the largest yacht race in the world. Pacifica Festival: To promote Polynesian culture, the Pacifica Festival is held every year on March 11-12 at Western Springs Park on Great North Avenue.
Auckland Public Holidays
- New Year’s Eve – January 1
- Post-New Year’s Day – January 2
- Waitangi Day – February 6
- Anzac Day – 25 April
- Queen’s Birthday – First Monday In June
- Labor Day – Fourth Monday In October
- Christmas Day – December 25
- Boxing Day – December 26
Auckland Practical Information
- Police: 111
- Fire: 111
- Ambulance: 111
