 Auckland Budget Travel Guide
Auckland, New Zealand
Author: Joerg Mueller (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)
Introducing Auckland
Auckland Budget Travel Guide helps you get ready to visit Auckland, the biggest city in New Zealand. It is an exciting destination and I look forward to providing you with useful tips while introducing all the places of interest there. Whenever the opportunity arises, I will share information on how you can explore and discover Auckland economically.
About Auckland
Auckland is a city on the North Island of New Zealand. The urban area of Auckland has a total population approaching 1.4 million people - that means for every three New Zealanders, one lives in the vicinity of Auckland. It continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand. It also has one of the largest Polynesian population as well as a sizable group of ethnic Asians.
Westhaven Marina, Auckland
Author: JosephWatkins (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)
Auckland is located on the northern part of North Island, in the middle of a narrow isthmus that points northwestward. To the east is Hauraki Gulf and the Waitemata Harbour facing the Pacific Ocean, while to the southwest is Manukau Harbour, facing the Tasman Sea. This section of North Island is so narrow that Auckland straddles two major bodies of water.
The Auckland area has seen human habitation as early as 1350, when the Maoris established a settlement there. Auckland served as the capital of New Zealand from 1840, following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, to 1865, when the title moves to Wellington.
Today Auckland is the only big city in New Zealand. It is however a sprawling city that spreads out over a large area. It is in fact composed of four separate cities: Manukau, Waitakere, North Shore and Auckland City.
Auckland Harbour Bridge
Author: Stephen Witherden (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Budget Travel to Auckland
Auckland International Airport (AKL) is the biggest airport and the main gateway to New Zealand. It receives regular flights from major cities all over the world, particularly those in the Asia-Pacific region.
Getting out of the airport is quite easy. Your options include airport buses, public buses and taxis. The airport bus is called Airbus. The fare is NZ$16 one way. Check their website, some times they offer discount vouchers. An alternative is to take a public bus followed by the train to reach downtown. This only costs a total of NZ$8. Taking the taxi, needless to say, is the most costly option, setting you back NZ$50 to even NZ$100 depending on where you want to go in Auckland. You can hire a car for the whole day for the same amount of money.
Phormium tenax in bloom, on the coast of Piha, West Auckland
Author: Kahuroa (public domain)
Budget Travel within Auckland
The public transport operator in Auckland is MAXX, managing the buses, trains and ferry services. The tickets come in a multitude of choices: single-trip ticket, 10-ride value pack, monthly pass, stored value card, and more. If you are going to travel extensively on public transport, I suggest you get the Discovery Pass It costs NZ$14 per day, available from the bus driver, train or ferry ticket office, and can be used on most (but not all) buses, trains and ferries.
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Places of Interest within Auckland
- Aotea Centre
Nightlife entertainment hub of Auckland.
- Aotea Square
Public square with a popular market. Venue for outdoor festivals.
- Auckland Art Gallery
Gallery devoted to showcasing the development of New Zealand art, housed in a 1887 French Renaissance building, housing 12,500 works.
- Auckland Domain
Parkland in Central Auckland.
- Auckland Harbour Bridge
Major bridge from Auckland City to the nroth.
- Auckland Town Hall
1911 Edwardian style building housing a concert chamber, a council chamber and a street foyer.
- Auckland War Memorial Museum
Neo-Classical-style museum built in 1929 to commemorate New Zealanders who died in World War I.
- Britomart Transport Centre
The transportation hub of Auckland, terminus for the trains, buses and ferry services.
- Ferry Building
1912 Edwardian baroque building that serves as the ferry terminus.
- New Zealand National Maritime Museum
Museum chronicling the role of boats to New Zealand's history, from Polynesian canoes to 19th century whalers.
- Old Arts Building
1926 building with distinctive clock tower.
- Old Customhouse
1889 French Renaissance-style building today housing the largest duty-free shop in Auckland.
- Old Government House
Seat of the New Zealand government until 1865, when the capital relocated to Wellington.
- SKYCITY Auckland
New Zealand's biggest casino, opened 24 hours a day, every day.
- Sky Tower
At 328 meters, the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere.
- Viaduct Basin
An upscale neighbourhood on the Auckland waterfront.
- Waitemata Harbour
Picturesque harbourfront of Auckland with view of the volcanic peak of Rangitoto Island in the background.
- Westhaven Marina
One of the largest marinas in the southern hemisphere.
Places of Interest Around Auckland
- Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens
Gardens with more than 10,000 species of plants, native or introduced to New Zealand.
- Auckland Zoological Gardens
Gardens showcasing New Zealand's unique and unusual fauna.
- Devonport
Suburb of North Shore with historical flavour.
- Hauraki Gulf Islands
Scenic island popular with recreational activities.
- Henderson
Wine country within an hour's drive from Auckland.
- Highwic
Manor-style mansion built in 1862.
- Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World
Massive aquarium with Plexiglass tunnel for viewing marine life up close.
- Kumeu
Centre of a wine and fruit growing district, with numerous wineries and orchards.
- Museum of Transport and Technology
Museum showcasing thousands of items including an early aircraft, flying boat and even underwear.
- One Tree Hill
A dormant volcanic cone and the largest prehistoric Maori site in the region.
- Orewa
Seaside town 40 minutes north of Auckland.
- Piha
The most popular beach on Auckland's rugged wind-swept west coast.
- Rainbow's End Theme Park
Large amusement park with roller coaster and water rides.
- Savage Memorial Park
Park named after New Zealand's first prime minister with a number of historical sites.
- Tamaki Drive
Coastal road with scenic views.
- Titirangi
A village of artists and writers with superb views of the Waitakere Range.
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