‘Auckland City of Sails’

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most cosmopolitan city with over 1 million people situated between the Waitemata Harbour facing the Pacific Ocean and Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea. Auckland lies at the North Island’s skinniest point; at its narrowest barely 12km separates the Pacific from the Tasman. Capt Hobson, the colony’s first Governor, named the city after his patron George Eden, the Earl of Auckland. The early township served as capital of New Zealand from 1842 before Wellington was favoured for its more central location in 1865.

Being almost completely surrounded by waterfront the nickname ‘City of Sails’ comes from the fact there are more pleasure boats per capita than any other city in the world, meaning plenty of year round water activities to enjoy. The sheltered beaches on Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf, facing the east, provide perfect bathing and boating while the west coast’s rugged coastline are a surfers mecca. Harbour cruises are popular with visitors and locals alike with approximately 50 islands in the region making Auckland ideal for those with a boat to explore and relax on your own. If you’re touring without your yacht then one of the Fullers Harbour Cruises are an Auckland ‘must do’. A day trip to Coromandel or Waiheke Island if you have the time or a short harbour crossing to trendy Devonport for a latte will be rewarded with fantastic views of Rangitoto Island and beyond.
 

The city is located on an ancient volcanic field with more than 30 extinct volcanos within the city limits, the most famous being Rangitoto’s perfect cone shaped peak in the harbour’s centre and Mt Eden which provides the best city views, being its highest peak. Maori made good use of the ancient volcano craters by turning them into fortified villages or Pa’s. Their terraced earthworks remain clearly visible.

Auckland is known as ‘Tamaki Makau Rau’, in the Maori language, the ‘city of 100 lovers’. The name arose as a place desired by all and conquered by many. Today the city is home to a large Maori population as well as Polynesian Islanders and more recently Chinese, Koreans, South Africans, Arabs and others have joined the melting pot of cultures, reflected in the country’s most diverse dining options.

Auckland enjoys a sunny temperate climate with moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the year. Major attractions include Kelly Tarlton Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, Auckland’s Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere and MOTAT the city’s most exciting Museum. Auckland Zoo is the country’s largest and the city centre’s magical Civic Theatre is possibly the world’s best preserved Art Deco era theatre.

Queen Street boasts the best shopping in the city while Dressmart in suburban Onehunga is New Zealand’s largest and best factory outlet centre. Victoria Park Market has the city’s best market shopping with enjoyable outdoor entertainment but you will have to dig deep to find any real bargains! Parnell’s upmarket boutiques and eateries along its charming Victorian streetscape are a pure delight, while the real bargains are to be had at South Auckland’s Otara outdoor Saturday market which starts in the suburbs town centre at dawn.

Auckland has every conceivable accommodation option from Five Star to Backpackers. Booking early can save you and it does pay to check prices several times as sometimes specials become available at short notice.

For Auckland accommodation click here: