Home / On Location /Podcasts / 105 – Travel in Auckland, New Zealand
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Auckland, known as the “City of Sails” is New Zealand’s largest city. It’s surrounded by sea and is studded with volcanic mountains, and is a very pleasant place to live or visit – it ranked fourth equal in the 2009 Worldwide Quality of Living Survey.
Auckland is a very spread-out city, with a land area almost equalling that of Los Angeles. It’s divided into four main regions, which are autonomous cities: Auckland City, North Shore City (to the north), Waitakere City (to the west), and Manukau City (to the south).
The central business district is centred around Queen Street, which runs from the harbour south (up) to Karangahape (“K”) Road. Quay Street runs along the waterfront, with Viaduct Harbour at its western end and Britomart Transport Centre a little to the east of Queen Street. At the top of Queen Street, following K Road to the east will take you to to the Auckland Domain, and westwards is trendy Ponsonby.
Name: Auckland, New Zealand
Place: North Island, New Zealand
Population:1.3 million
Languages: English. Maori and New Zealand Sign Language are also official languages
Known for: The Sky Tower, hosting the Americas Cup, scenery
Temperatures: Summer 14-24, winter 7-15
Airports: Auckland International Airport (AKL), 20km south of city. Find airfare to New Zealand.
Price of a pint: NZ$6
Price of a dorm bed: NZ$21
Price of a public transport ticket: NZ$1.60 (one stage on the bus)
Auckland has the full range of places to stay. High-end options include the Hilton, the Stamford Plaza, and the Skycity Grand Hotel at the base of the Sky Tower. For budget hotels, try Hotel Formule 1, or see what wotif.com has to offer.
There are a wide range of hostels to choose from, most of which have both dorm beds and private rooms available. Be aware that you might be charged extra for linen, as many hostels expect you to bring your own sleeping bag.
As a vibrant multi-cultural city, Auckland has quality food on offer from all over the world. Takeaway options include sushi, kebabs, pizza, Chinese, Korean and a whole lot more. Make sure you drop into a dairy (convenience store) or bakery and try a hot meat pie – it’s traditional. Another great cheap eat is fish and chips – you’ll find a fish and chip shop in every suburb, and a feast on the beach is a great way to start the weekend.
The meat in New Zealand is second-to-none, so make sure you have a juicy steak or dig into some lamb shanks if you’re so inclined – animals in New Zealand have a good life before they hit your plate, so there’s no guilt required.
Sadly, Auckland’s public transport isn’t the most comprehensive, since the population density is so low. You’ll be fine walking around the city, but if you want to venture further afield you’re better off hiring a car. Taxis are generally safe and well-priced, though it’s usually easier to call ahead for one than trying to hail one on the street.
When you arrive, you’ll likely arrive at the Auckland International Airport. Getting away from there is an expensive enterprise unless you get someone to pick you up. The Airbus is probably your best bet – to the city it’s $15 one-way, $22 return.
If you decide to brave the public transport, you’ll probably be catching the bus. The train network has improved recently, but doesn’t cover very much of the city. Buy your ticket for the bus from the driver – just state your destination and the driver will tell you the price. If you’ll be travelling a bit, a day pass will probably save you some cash.
Auckland’s a city where a wander around will be rewarded. Explore posh Ponsonby, edgy Kingsland and the always-busy Viaduct, then head further afield to a suburb of your choice. Mission Bay is worth a visit, for a swim in summer or a coffee any time. There are a lot of parks to explore and relax in, or choose a beach you like the look of – Piha being the best-known surf beach.
Head out to the Waitakere Ranges (west) to do some short day walks, and . Have a picnic at the top of one of Auckland’s many volcanic hills, and visit Otara markets (south) for fresh fruit and veges, clothes and knick-knacks.
New Zealand is well-known for its wines and there are a three wine regions in day-trip distance from Auckland. Matakana to the north, Kumeu to the northwest, and Waiheke Island, a 45 minute ferry ride away. Most wineries won’t charge you for tastings, but it’s polite to buy something if you can, especially if there’s a large group of you.
In summer, Auckland is buzzing with free events, mostly held in the parks which dot the city. Music in Parks tends to be held in smaller reserves, where the big events like Christmas in the Park and Symphony under the Stars are held in the enormous Domain.
Auckland University’s annual Summer Shakespeare is also held outside, on the grounds of the University ($25 per person), and the Lantern Festival to celebrate Chinese New Year is held just across the road in Albert Park.
Other events that are held at various times throughout the year include the Pasifika Festival in March, the Comedy Festival in May, and the Film Festival in July. Plus, there are many sporting events to attend, from school competitions to premier events – notably the Rugby World Cup, coming up in 2011. And hopefully the America’s Cup yacht race will be held here again soon! Check out www.aucklandcity.govt.nz or www.aucklandnz.com for event listings.
Auckland has the regular offerings – a good museum and art gallery, an aquarium (Kelly Tarlton’s) and an amusement park (Rainbow’s End). But its real attraction lies in its natural beauty, so spend your sightseeing money on seeing the sights. Catch a ferry to Rangitoto Island ($25 pp return) and hike to the top of the volcanic peak. Or you could visit Waiheke Island ($32 pp return) or Great Barrier ($85 pp same day return) but each of these really require more than a day. The Zoo is worth a visit if you’re travelling with kids, and while you’re out there drop into the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
A trip to the top of the Sky Tower is a must (NZ$25), and you can even bungy off it if you want ($195). The Harbour Bridge also has a bungy option (NZ$120), or you could do the Harbour Bridge Climb (NZ$120) if you think you’d look good in their attractive jumpsuits.
Lonely Planet’s Auckland guide is compact and useful, and you’ll find comprehensive information in their New Zealand guide as well. Rough Guides has a New Zealand guide, and Wallpaper’s Auckland guide is beautiful and informative. And Offbeat Guides will create a personalised guide for you using information sourced online.
You’ve probably flown in to Auckland from overseas, so you definitely need to see more of New Zealand. Hire or buy a car and head north for a few days then south to explore more of the North Island. You need at least 10 days to see the North Island, and you can take your car on the ferry across to the South Island – allow two weeks minimum. You can fly out of Christchurch, so leave your car there and head to Australia or a nice Pacific Island such as Fiji or Samoa.
The Indie Travel Podcast guide to Auckland, New Zealand, is sponsored by HostelBookers. Hostelbookers is an independent budget accommodation website — run by travelers, for travelers! Our aim is to provide the best online booking service for backpackers and budget travelers that reflects the quality and value they deserve.
We’re proud to be the only hostel-booking website that doesn’t charge a booking fee. And, with thousands of ratings and reviews from past guests, we offer customers a clearer picture of the facilities and feel of each hostel.
In addition to Auckland hostels, you can book cheap hotels, guesthouses and apartments in over 2,500 destinations around the world with HostelBookers.
HostelBookers launched a brand-new website in March 2009, with enhanced travel guides, advice and information to help customers plan their trip, as well as book their accommodation!
Written by: Craig and Linda
Posted on: Friday, May 22nd, 2009
Posted in: On Location, Podcasts
Responses: 8 so far
thanks for this timely article. i’ve just planned my rtw trip to include NZ. its nice to know that the month i have planned will be sufficient to see both the North and South islands.
May 23rd, 2009 at 1:42 amExcellent writeup! I’m headed to NZ in mid June and will be traveling solo. May not get to spend too much time in Auckland but this is helpful for sure. I just discovered your site so let me keep exploring. I will be spending about a week in the South Island and hope you have as helpful info about places there as this one for Auckland.
Cheers
May 24th, 2009 at 10:20 pmRaul
Glad to help, guys. We’ve just finished a 3 week tour in a Spaceship van and that was really good for us.
You might want to check out one of our older episodes, Independent travel in New Zealand and keep an eye out for our review of Lonely Planet’s South Island guidebook in the next few weeks. Of course, you can always flick us an email – mail at indietravelpodcast.com
May 25th, 2009 at 7:11 amHi guys,
Great tour! I was wondering if you would mind adding your tour to Walk With Me, it’s a site I set up for sharing audio tours.
Keep up the good work!
Adam
May 25th, 2009 at 7:26 pmHi There. This is a very informative post. We will be passing this along to our readers. Very useful for Jet Set Travellers who have plans of travelling to New Zealand.
May 27th, 2009 at 2:11 pmHi guys, thanks for your positive feedback. Make sure you check the archives for several other city guides.
May 27th, 2009 at 2:16 pm