The Ultimate New Zealand Travel Guide
Welcome
Your adventure begins as you touch down at the Auckland International Airport.
Our custom officials are very sharp but very nice and polite. The laws are very highly regarded as far as what you can or cannot bring in. Don't spoil a good trip by bringing in something you shouldn't. A big worry is the introduction of something that will harm our ecosystem. If you have tramping or sports gear make sure it isn't contaminated with contact in another country especially your boots.
I will suppose you will be picking up a rental vehicle as your next priority. After that if you wish you can go into the Auckland city area. Remember it is a city with all the problems one has with parking and driving so be sure you have come to terms with driving on the left side of the road.
Just as you leave the Auckland airport there is a very convenient shopping centre with plenty of room to park the vehicle and load up with whatever you need. Be sure to get good instructions for traveling the motorway north or south. The area is horrible for tis congestion and lack of signs. If you value your time don't get on the roads during work hour rush morning or evening. it will take hours to get anywhere.
The Auckland region offers everything one would wish from such an environment. Usually one can get a park at the waterfront downtown.Turn off Motorway on Fanshawe Street and follow all the way through to the end at Quay Street, turn left and park in the America's Cup Village Marina Parking lot. Good idea to pick up an Auckland map at the airport. You can park right by the Museum and enjoy the city for $6.00. Have a stroll around the waterfront area where the America's Cup Race was staged. The best way to tour the inner city is to take the free bright red "City Circuit" bus that runs every 10 minutes.
The downtown area is ideal for walking around so I recommend a hotel on the waterfront or within a couple of blocks of the waterfront. There is a large Asia influence and a great place to enjoy the cuisine. Plenty of shopping and there is also the casino.
Maybe you might want to bungy jump off the Sky Tower or climb the Harbour Bridge?
I definitely recommend a visit to the Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter .
I also recommend the Ananda Tours for a real day of fun and exploration on Waiheke Island:
Ananda Tours invites you to enjoy a wonderful day tasting award winning wine, olive oil and other local produce for which Waiheke Island is world-renowned. Visit local artists and galleries, explore one of the many eco-trails or wander along a pristine beach. On the way, stunning scenery is absolutely unavoidable!
Waiheke Island is a 35 min ferry ride from downtown Auckland. There are 30+ boutique vineyards producing a range of varietals, predominantly Bordeaux Blends, Syrah, Montepulciano, Viognier, Chardonnays and Pinot Gris and some delightful summer Rose`. Mature olive trees now adorn many of the island’s hillsides producing Gold medal olive oil. There is a wide selection of restaurants and many art galleries, gardens, native bush and coastal walks and white sandy beaches.
For those who want to stay outside the city the best place is south to Clark's Beach on the south edge of the Manukau Harbour. Fabulous spot only 40 minutes from the CBD. I recommend the Clarks Beach Holiday Park.
Hav a look at their website for more information.
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I also recommend the real experience of a Bush & Beach Tour - all tours are small group tours.
Coast and Rainforest Walk - Full Day Tour
Your tour takes you to breathtaking panoramic views that extend from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean and visit an area of untouched original rainforest with mature 1,000 year old kauri trees and stroll black sand beaches.
Auckland City Revealed - Half Day Tour
Known as the City of Sails, it’s New Zealand’s largest and busiest city. Your tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights.
Wilderness Experience - Half Day Tour
This not to be missed visit to Auckland's lush rainforest and black sand surf beaches will create unforgettable memories of unique, wild untamed beauty.
Best of Both Worlds Tour - Full Day Tour
Enjoy the combination of the Auckland City Revealed tour in the morning followed by the Wilderness Experience in the afternoon.
Auckland’s Untamed Island - Full Day Tour
A thirty minute scenic flight by light plane over the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf brings you to majestic Great Barrier Island.
Coromandel Day Tour - Full Day Tour
Experience the Coromandel Peninsula, a favourite holiday destination for many New Zealanders. Its amazing landscape consists of a mountainous, forest-covered backbone, with the Pacific Ocean on the east, and the sheltered bays and coves of the Hauraki Gulf on the west. A visit to Hot Water Beach with its hot spring in the middle of the beach and Cathedral Cove.
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More complete information on the city with great coverage in my books.
Great Auckland Information
Auckland Official Information website
Auckland AA accommodation list
Auckland AA Maps
Booking.com Accommodations
Your adventure begins as you touch down at the Auckland International Airport.
Our custom officials are very sharp but very nice and polite. The laws are very highly regarded as far as what you can or cannot bring in. Don't spoil a good trip by bringing in something you shouldn't. A big worry is the introduction of something that will harm our ecosystem. If you have tramping or sports gear make sure it isn't contaminated with contact in another country especially your boots.
I will suppose you will be picking up a rental vehicle as your next priority. After that if you wish you can go into the Auckland city area. Remember it is a city with all the problems one has with parking and driving so be sure you have come to terms with driving on the left side of the road.
Just as you leave the Auckland airport there is a very convenient shopping centre with plenty of room to park the vehicle and load up with whatever you need. Be sure to get good instructions for traveling the motorway north or south. The area is horrible for tis congestion and lack of signs. If you value your time don't get on the roads during work hour rush morning or evening. it will take hours to get anywhere.
The Auckland region offers everything one would wish from such an environment. Usually one can get a park at the waterfront downtown.Turn off Motorway on Fanshawe Street and follow all the way through to the end at Quay Street, turn left and park in the America's Cup Village Marina Parking lot. Good idea to pick up an Auckland map at the airport. You can park right by the Museum and enjoy the city for $6.00. Have a stroll around the waterfront area where the America's Cup Race was staged. The best way to tour the inner city is to take the free bright red "City Circuit" bus that runs every 10 minutes.
The downtown area is ideal for walking around so I recommend a hotel on the waterfront or within a couple of blocks of the waterfront. There is a large Asia influence and a great place to enjoy the cuisine. Plenty of shopping and there is also the casino.
Maybe you might want to bungy jump off the Sky Tower or climb the Harbour Bridge?
I definitely recommend a visit to the Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter .
I also recommend the Ananda Tours for a real day of fun and exploration on Waiheke Island:
Ananda Tours invites you to enjoy a wonderful day tasting award winning wine, olive oil and other local produce for which Waiheke Island is world-renowned. Visit local artists and galleries, explore one of the many eco-trails or wander along a pristine beach. On the way, stunning scenery is absolutely unavoidable!
Waiheke Island is a 35 min ferry ride from downtown Auckland. There are 30+ boutique vineyards producing a range of varietals, predominantly Bordeaux Blends, Syrah, Montepulciano, Viognier, Chardonnays and Pinot Gris and some delightful summer Rose`. Mature olive trees now adorn many of the island’s hillsides producing Gold medal olive oil. There is a wide selection of restaurants and many art galleries, gardens, native bush and coastal walks and white sandy beaches.
For those who want to stay outside the city the best place is south to Clark's Beach on the south edge of the Manukau Harbour. Fabulous spot only 40 minutes from the CBD. I recommend the Clarks Beach Holiday Park.
Hav a look at their website for more information.
====================================================================
I also recommend the real experience of a Bush & Beach Tour - all tours are small group tours.
Coast and Rainforest Walk - Full Day Tour
Your tour takes you to breathtaking panoramic views that extend from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean and visit an area of untouched original rainforest with mature 1,000 year old kauri trees and stroll black sand beaches.
Auckland City Revealed - Half Day Tour
Known as the City of Sails, it’s New Zealand’s largest and busiest city. Your tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights.
Wilderness Experience - Half Day Tour
This not to be missed visit to Auckland's lush rainforest and black sand surf beaches will create unforgettable memories of unique, wild untamed beauty.
Best of Both Worlds Tour - Full Day Tour
Enjoy the combination of the Auckland City Revealed tour in the morning followed by the Wilderness Experience in the afternoon.
Auckland’s Untamed Island - Full Day Tour
A thirty minute scenic flight by light plane over the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf brings you to majestic Great Barrier Island.
Coromandel Day Tour - Full Day Tour
Experience the Coromandel Peninsula, a favourite holiday destination for many New Zealanders. Its amazing landscape consists of a mountainous, forest-covered backbone, with the Pacific Ocean on the east, and the sheltered bays and coves of the Hauraki Gulf on the west. A visit to Hot Water Beach with its hot spring in the middle of the beach and Cathedral Cove.
=========================================================================
More complete information on the city with great coverage in my books.
Great Auckland Information
Auckland Official Information website
Auckland AA accommodation list
Auckland AA Maps
Booking.com Accommodations
Auckland
parking downtown at the harbour