Information and Tourism
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most vibrant city and is situated on the North Island. With a magnificent coastal location, Auckland lies next to the Hauraki Gulf and contains many scenic bays and harbours, including both the Waitemata and Viaduct Harbours – trendy waterfront areas located following to the city centre, famous for playing a part in the America’s Cup yachting regatta. One of the most beautiful cities in Fresh Zealand, Auckland is known for its popular sailing, earning it the nickname ‘City of Sails’. There are more than 100 beaches within an hours’ drive from central Auckland and the majority of beaches here are generally categorised by area, being known either simply as the East, West or North seashores.
Located on the corner of Federal Street and Victoria Road, the official Auckland Visitors Centre resides in the Sky Tower Atrium and dispenses useful tourism advice. Further tourist information is available at the NZ Visitors Center on Quay Street, as well as at the visitor centres within both domestic and international airports. At the Takapuna Tourist Centre on Hurstmere Road is information about the less touristy attractions around the North Shore. There are also good tourism outlets based at the nearby Great Barrier Isle, the Waiheke Island and the Waitakere Ranges.
The most popular hotels options in Auckland can be found in Mount Eden, Parnell as well as the Devonport districts, and also along Hobson Street, Princes Road, Quay Streets and Queens Street, which contain many mid-range resorts and luxury accommodation options with exceptional facilities. Additionally, there are some reliable budget choices situated in the town centre, suiting Auckland backpackers and residing on roads such as Fort Street, Greys Avenue, Liverpool Road, Queen Avenue, Turner Street and Vincent Road, within the inner suburbs.
Auckland is home to countless outstanding tourist attractions and some of the most popular include the Sky Tower – one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks plus the tallest building in New Zealand, built in 1997; the Town Hall — dating back to the early 20th century and featuring striking Italian- style architecture; Acacia Cottage – a historic wooden house, well-known for being amongst the North Island’s oldest buildings; the Harbour Bridge — connecting the city to the North Shore, crossing Waitemata Harbor; Highwic House – built-in the mid-19th century and full of period features; the University of Auckland – created in 1883 and now home to over 30, 000 students; Saint Patrick’s Cathedral – a Roman Catholic cathedral dating back again to the 1880s; the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity – a large Anglican church, hosting various seasonal events; and the Anglican Cathedral Church of St . Mary — widely regarded as among the finest examples of a Gothic- design wooden chapel in the world.
Auckland also has many excellent museums, filled with interesting details about this popular region from the North Island. Major cultural highlights in this area include the Auckland War Memorial Museum – the city’s premier museum, housing a wealth of historic artefacts from throughout Fresh Zealand; the acclaimed New Zealand National Maritime Art gallery – containing a diverse collection of maritime memorabilia; the Navy Memorial – home to a big collection relating to the country’s rich naval heritage; the Museum of Transport, Technology and Social History (MOTAT) – filled with historic exhibits, including vintage cars, trams and planes; the Auckland Art Gallery – with an exceptional permanent assortment of paintings coming from all over the world, housed in a beautiful Victorian building; and the Compendium MEMORIAL — specialising in local Fresh Zealand paintings, sculptures, h and icrafts.
Attractions close by Auckland include many districts, suburbs and small towns. Close by you will find more than 20 vast regional parks, administered by the Auckland Regional Council (ARC). Other areas of particular interest nearby consist of Devonport – located on the outskirts, at the end in the North Shore Peninsula; West of Auckland – house to a dramatic landscape, with many coastal areas, popular surfing conditions and a lot more than 100 walking / tramping trails; and the magnificent Hauraki Gulf of mexico Islands — comprising around 50 islands, including the Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands, Waiheke Island, the Great Barrier Area, Motuihe Island and Tiritiri Matangi Tropical isle. The North Island area of New Zealand contains a huge number of highly regarded vineyards, wineries, breweries and hop fields, many of which are within easy reach. Famous throughout New Zealand, these vineyards produce a host of different leading wines and are particularly concentrated in Matakana, to the north of Auckland, the Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf, and some areas of West Auckland, such as for example Kumeu and the stunning Henderson Valley. Auckland, the largest town upon New Zealand’s North Isle, is a vibrant place to visit at any time of the year and with over 100 spectacular beaches, many exceptional walking / tramping trails, and an average of seven to eight hours of sunny weather each single day, it is hardly surprising that this enticing holiday destination attracts visitors and tourists by worldwide