Auckland

Auckland Accommodation	Key: Special Offers Exclusive Awards / Accolades New
B and B
Breakfast on The Beach
Hotel
Hotel DeBrett	Mollies Hotel Luxury Accommodation
Sky City Grand Hotel	The Hilton Hotel
The Hyatt Regency Luxury Hotel Accommodation	The Langham Hotel
The Westin Auckland
Lodge
Delamore Lodge Luxury Accommodation	Earthsong Luxury Lodge Accommodation
Hurakia Lodge	Kourawhero Country Lodge
Takatu Lodge	The Boatshed
Waoku Lodge
Private Villa/Apartment
Awana House	Fossil Cove
Kereru Lodge	Moana Roa Waiheke Island
Oneroa Bay Vineyard Estate	Oruawharo Luxury Accommodation
Penthouse 64	The Cliff House
The Owners Retreat	Viaduct Landing Luxury Waterfront Apartment
Waiheke Landing	Wells Bay Lodge
Westbury Estate Luxury Accommodation
As the most significant city in the South Pacific, Auckland is a lively fusion of international style, local creativity and Polynesian charm. Fun is the operative word here. Auckland’s urban personality is bold, fast and fashionable. Everything you see, hear, taste or touch has a twist of originality. You’ll find it in the fashions of High Street and the bouquet of the chardonnay. You’ll see it in the quirkiness of the art and the décor of the restaurants. In the restaurant regions of Parnell and Ponsonby, the chefs have an undying passion for culinary creativity. It helps that the region produces excellent raw material. The climate is obliging - with enough sunshine and rainfall to grow everything from the daintiest tips of asparagus to the sweetest strawberries south of the equator. The city’s pubs also provide plenty of entertainment possibilities, with live bands and theme nights. And if you fancy a stage play, dance or orchestra, you’ll find it at The Edge, the Bruce Mason Centre or one of Auckland’s small professional theatres. A fascinating blend of Pacific Rim people has given Auckland a creative, colourful local culture. You can explore the art, theatre and music of the city by visiting galleries and attending shows. At the Auckland Art Gallery, the ever-changing feast of art often features works by Colin McCahon, New Zealand’s greatest contemporary painter. Private galleries nearby exhibit work that you can buy, so you can take an original piece of New Zealand home. There’s no escaping the lure of the ocean. Smooth and tranquil in the inner harbour, lively and fresh in the gulf, wild and untamed on the surf beaches. The breath of the sea is enlivening, however you decide to experience it. With three huge harbours and a gulf full of islands, the Auckland region is as much about the sea as it is about land. The Manukau and Kaipara Harbours on the west coast are mystical and moody. The Waitemata Harbour on the east coast has a sparkling, urban personality. The Hauraki Gulf is an adventure playground for sailors and island explorers. From the central business district you can catch a ferry to the seaside village of Devonport - cafés and shopping are the major attraction. Or go a step further and take a trip to Waiheke, Motuihe or Rangitoto Islands. A day at the beach could be as simple as catching a bus to Mission Bay, or as challenging as walking the length of Whatipu on the northern side of the Manukau Heads. The east coast is about gentle waves and white sand - be sure to visit Takapuna, Long Bay and Orewa. The west coast is black sand and dramatic surf - choose Karekare, Piha, Bethells or Muriwai. At Goat Island Marine Reserve east of Warkworth, put on your snorkel to meet the friendly locals. Fish will feed out of your hand, because they’ve learned to trust divers. Sea kayaking, yacht charters and launch tours are other options that let you taste the freedom of Auckland’s amazing marine environment. Paddle your own canoe or sit back and let the skipper do the work. Auckland is regularly voted one of the best lifestyle cities in the world. Your on-the-water experience in the City of Sails could be as thrilling as a race on board a grand prix racing yacht, or as laid-back as a ferry cruise to one of the dozen idyllic islands. Built on an isthmus of 48 volcanoes, Auckland's fertile valleys and islands are home to award-winning wineries. Family attractions abound and the city has plenty of adrenaline for adventure lovers. Indulge in Auckland's shopping, nightlife and unrivalled cuisine. Discover why Auckland is one of the best places in the world to live - and visit.
Auckland Activities
Americas Cup Sailing New Zealand Bungy Jumping New Zealand Canyoning / Spelunking New Zealand Caving New Zealand Climbing New Zealand Diving New Zealand Farm Tours New Zealand Food & Wine New Zealand Game and Sport Fishing New Zealand Golf New Zealand Hiking and Walking New Zealand History and Culture New Zealand Horse Riding New Zealand	Hot Air Ballooning New Zealand Hunting New Zealand Kayaking and Canoeing New Zealand Mountain Biking New Zealand Sailing New Zealand Scenic Flights New Zealand Sky Tower Spa Treatments New Zealand Surfing New Zealand Swimming with Dolphins New Zealand Wine Regions New Zealand Wine Tasting and Wineries New Zealand
Events in Auckland

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS:

The Mysterious Volcanic Island of Rangitoto: Rangitoto Island, an unforgettable feature of Auckland’s inner harbour, pushed its way through the ocean floor around 600 years ago. The volcanic fireworks that accompanied it inspired local Maori tribes to call it ‘Sky of Blood’.

Auckland City Sky Tower: The Auckland Sky Tower is the country’s tallest building, at 328 metres high.

Parks, Walks and Hikes in Every Direction: There are 22 conservation parks within easy reach of downtown Auckland. Between them they offer over 500km of walking tracks and the Waitakere Ranges (Auckland’s largest regional park) are the perfect backdrop for walking and exploring.

ACTIVITIES:

- Catch a ferry and walk to the summit of Rangitoto, a black lava volcanic island
- Enjoy wine tasting, fine dining and beachcombing on Waiheke Island
- Sunbathe and swim at Motuihe Island
- Discover the historic Mansion House (and wallabies) on Kawau Island
- Charter a yacht and make your own adventure around the Hauraki Gulf
- Go swimming with the dolphins
- Try fishing, diving and relaxing around Aucklands largest Island - Great Barrier Island
- Visit Auckland Museum and the Domain Gardens
- Dine at the many world class eateries in Ponsonby, Parnell and the Viaduct Harbour
- Go hiking amongst a labyrinth of trails in the Waitakere Ranges
- Auckland City Art Gallery houses a comprehensive collection of New Zealand and international art
- Play a round of golf at Formosa or Gulf Harbour
- Visit Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens, home to the Tourism Award Winning ‘Ellerslie Flower Show’
- Auckland War Memorial Museum is the custodian of the finest and most important collection of Maori treasures, or taonga, in the world.
- New Zealand National Maritime Museum showcases New Zealand's maritime history
- Auckland City Art Gallery houses a comprehensive collection of New Zealand and international art
- Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World gets you up close and personal with sharks and penguins
- Take your snorkelling or diving gear and explore the aquatic life at Goat Island Marine Reserve

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