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 The majestic 'City of Sails' is surrounded by water, which defines its sparkling appeal. The magnificent harbour is reminiscent of other famous waterside cities but with its own unique charm. Auckland has a rich maritime history, shaping its identity as a seafaring city. Auckland is relatively small geographically, which makes it a pleasure to explore on foot, and with its dynamic population, the city has more of a cosmopolitan, sophisticated feel to it and an easy, friendly atmosphere.

yachts racing in auckland harbour Andrew Lever/shutterstock

The City

Auckland shines as the commercial and cultural centre of New Zealand. It is situated on 50 islands and 48 dead volcanoes which make it unusual and breathtaking to behold. A stroll along the water, a hike on a volcanic island, or a cruise through the glorious harbour — just a few ways to absorb the delights of the city. This city has the largest Polynesian population in the world, adding to its cosmopolitan, dynamic appeal. High-end fashion houses, sophisticated restaurants and chic bars compliment the abundance of outdoor activities.

The mythical, magical natural beauty of New Zealand made it an obvious choice for the setting of the imaginary Middle Earth, in the films of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. This enchanting wonderland is filled with craggy mountains, rolling, rustic hills, endless green meadows, gentle beaches and dramatic cliffs. It is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, with pursuits from rock climbing and scuba diving, to parasailing and white water rafting. Horse riding is also a popular activity in New Zealand. If you want to create a "Lord of the Rings" experience — of galloping across Middle Earth — this is the perfect place to do it! Auckland has more boats per capita than any other city in the world, which explains the national obsession of sailing. Home of America’s Cup, boating becomes an infectious pastime to almost every visitor who crosses its shores.

This luscious leafy city is a joy to explore. Its infectious energy emerges in the open and affable population and lively activities. Kiwis are proud of their country. They adore visitors and love to rave about this glorious city. Don’t be surprised if you make new friends among the locals!

Sky tower in a sunny day, North Island, New Zealand HeliHead/shutterstock

Do & See

The whole region of Auckland is just waiting to be explored and with its stunning nature, beautiful beaches, pristine rainforest and the magnificent Hauraki Gulf, the city does for sure offer an amazing travel experience for their visitors. Auckland is the perfect place to recharge your batteries with some pampering, see a variety of scenic landscapes, or to experience the buzz of urban bustle or why not get a thrill of some adventure activities. No matter what you are looking for, you will for sure find it in Auckland.

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Auckland Botanic Gardens

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Auckland Art Gallery

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Butterfly Creek

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Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Glowworm Caves

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Rangitoto Island

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Harbour Cruise

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Auckland War Memorial Museum

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Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium

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New Zealand Maritime Museum

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Sky Tower

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Stardome Observatory & Planetarium

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West Auckland Vineyards

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Waiheke Island

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Goat Island Marine Reserve

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Horse Rides

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Tamaki Hikoi Maori Walk

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Waitakere Ranges Regional Park

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Auckland Harbour Bridge Bungy Jump

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Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb

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Matakana Coast

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Tiritiri Matangi Island

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Maungawhau — Mount Eden

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Matamata (Hobbiton)

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Cornwall Park

Chef is cooking appetizer with sea scallops and salad mix, toned image Kondor83/Shutterstock.com

Dining

Auckland’s cuisine is inventive and incredibly diverse representing the multitude of cultures that make up its population. There are many seafood restaurants around due to the coastal location of Auckland. This means the city always has a wealth of fresh seafood at its disposal. There are thousands of restaurants, cafes, bars and wineries, offering everything from fine dining to cheap eats where you can treat your taste buds with yummy and fresh food.

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Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill

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Orbit 360° Dining

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Sails Restaurant

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Gion Japanese Restaurant

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Soul Bar & Bistro

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Sid at The French Cafe

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The Engine Room

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Blue Elephant Thai Restaurant

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Oh Calcutta

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Casita Miro

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Tony's Lord Nelson Restaurant

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Sal's Authentic New York Pizza

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Ampersand Eatery

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Cafes

Sit back and relax over a cup of coffee or tea, while watching the world go by in one of Auckland's many inviting cafes. Unique cafes are dotted around the town so you will easily find one when you are craving for a hot beverage or something sweet, like a fresh baked cake!

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Dizengoff

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Rosie

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The Brunchery

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Takapuna Beach Café

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Giapo

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Remedy Coffee

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Little & Friday

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Chocolate Boutique Cafe

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Atomic Coffee Roasters

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Lieutenant Coffee Bar & Eatery

Auckland City and Spaghetti Junction Shaun Jeffers/Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

Kiwis are a relaxed, friendly, fun-loving people, and relaxing with a drink is an integral part of the culture here. Whether you are looking for an intimate venue for quiet conversation or a lively festive atmosphere, anything your heart desires is easily found. Auckland has truly a lively, energetic nightlife, with something for everyone. Various DJ clubs with any type of music abound, available every night of the week.

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Dida’s Wine & Tapas Lounge

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The Fox

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The Sugar Club

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Brew on Quay

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Cassette Nine

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Provedor

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SKYCITY Auckland Casino

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Ding Dong Lounge

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The Classic Comedy Club & Bar

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Shopping

When in Auckland, shopping is a must! Auckland has a wide array of high street fashion, local designers, house wares, crafts and eclectic markets to explore. Discover one of the many vibrant shopping streets where you will find boutique and designer stores, offering some of New Zealand’s best-known names as well as top international labels. There are also numerous malls to head for where you basically will find everything you are looking for and also where you can pick some great Kiwi gifts to bring back home for the loved ones. Auckland markets are also a safe bet when looking for that special gift, art, craft or jewellery.

A local note: Karangahape Road is widely known as the abbreviated K’Road.

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High Street, Vulcan Lane & O’Connell Street

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Victoria Park Market

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Otara Market

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Nuffield Street

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Parnell Shopping

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Sylvia Park Auckland

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Tourist Information

Auckland Airport (AKL)

Auckland International Airport (AKL) services all of Auckland. Located 21 km south of the City Centre and it is easily accessible by bus, shuttle or taxi.

Skybus is Auckland’s airport transfer service that runs between Auckland City Centre and Auckland Airport. They operate 24 hours a day and the bus transfer takes about 40-60 min. Tickets can be bought at the Airport Ticket Kiosks (situated by the SkyBus bus stops at the airport) or from the bus driver (cash only). You can also buy your ticket online and at some hotels.

The AirportLink bus carries passengers between Auckland Airport, Puhinui Station and Manukau Bus Station. The 38 bus operates between Auckland Airport and Onehunga via Mangere Town Centre. You will need an AT HOP card to use the AirportLink and 38 bus services

There are only licensed taxi and shuttle companies at the designated taxi ranks at the terminal buildings, all to make sure that you will get a high standard of service. The taxi rank is outside the arrivals area at the international terminal as well as the domestic terminal. You can pre-book or just turn up at the terminal rank.

Address: Ray Emery Drive, Māngere, Auckland

Email:

Phone: +64 9 275 0789

Website: www.aucklandairport.co.nz

More Information:

Passport/Visa

Citizens of Australia and the UK, as well as visa waiver countries, do not need to apply for a visa for short visitor stays, but may need to produce documented proof of onward travel.

Visa waiver countries include the USA and multiple countries across Europe and Asia, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, and Vatican City.

Since 2019, travellers that are visa waiver must request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) prior to travel. It is mandatory for all sea and air arrivals, including transit. The issued authorisation is valid for two years.

Citizens of other countries will need to apply for a visa in advance, which can be done online for solo travellers and in paper format for those travelling with a partner or as a group. The applicant’s passport validity in this case will need to last 3 months after the planned departure date.

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Website: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_New_Zealand

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Public Transport

Public transport in Auckland — New Zealand's largest metropolitan area — comes in three flavours: bus, train and ferry. Services are all neatly coordinated by Auckland Transport under the AT Metro brand, with the bustling Waitematā railway station serving as the main transport hub.

Buses are the workhorse of Auckland's public transport, accounting for about 70% of all journeys. They generally operate from the wee hours of 6 am until the stroke of midnight. To get around, simply look out for the red, green, or amber buses. With services so frequent, there's little need to keep an eagle eye on the timetable. Just rock up to the relevant bus stop and your chariot will soon arrive. Hop on the red bus (CityLink) for inner-city jaunts, the green (InnerLink) to traverse Auckland's inner city, and the amber (OuterLink) for a tour of Auckland's cosy inner suburbs.

Tickets can be bought directly from the bus driver (cash only), or you can get your hands on the AT HOP smart card online or at a ticket office, such as the Britomart customer service centre.

Address: Britomart Transport Centre, 8-10 Queen Street, Auckland

Email:

Phone: +64 9 366 6400

Website: at.govt.nz

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Taxi

Numerous taxi companies operate throughout Auckland. Rideshare apps like Uber are a convenient way to find a ride, too.

Taxi ranks are found around the city centre. Try Lower Hobson Street, Ferry Building, Britomart and Kitchener Street. Call Auckland Co-op Taxis to order a car by phone.

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Phone: +64 9 300 3000

Website: www.cooptaxi.co.nz

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Post

Post offices in Auckland are run by NZ Post, providing several services throughout the city. The offices have a red sign on the outside, with New Zealand Post written on. A centrally located one is Wellesley Street NZ Post & Kiwibank, located on Wellesley Street, close to Aotea Square.

Address: NZ Post Shop, 24 Wellesley Street West, Auckland

Email:

Phone: +64 800 501 501

Website: www.nzpost.co.nz

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Pharmacy

Pharmacies, often referred to as 'chemists' in New Zealand, are typically open during standard retail hours, generally 9 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays. However, hours can extend to late evenings and weekends in larger cities and shopping centres.

New Zealand's largest pharmacy chains are Unichem and Life Pharmacy, with stores spread nationwide. These pharmacies stock a wide range of over-the-counter medicines, healthcare products, and often provide additional services like flu vaccinations.

Medicines to Midnight is an after-hours pharmacy, open all day until midnight. A fully stocked pharmacy, specialising in medicines, prescriptions and advice.

Address: Medicines to Midnight, 160 Broadway Newmarket, Auckland

Email: medicinestomidnight@xtra.co.nz

Phone: +64 9 520 6634

Website: www.medicinestomidnight.co.nz

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Telephone

Country Code: +64
Area Code: (0)9

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Electricity

New Zealand operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is also commonly used in Australia, Argentina, China, and several Pacific island nations. Remember to pack a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure hassle-free charging.

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