Auckland - New Zealand's Unofficial Capital
Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand and home to more than a third of the country’s population. You will hear many contrasting opinions about Auckland, as many prefer to flee the hustle and bustle of the city in search of quiet and tranquillity. However, I found myself totally in love with Auckland and everything it has to offer from the second I landed. It soon became my base and second home for at least 8 months.
Auckland is a gorgeous harbour city, located in the sub-tropical north of New Zealand. It is contained by the Tasman sea and Pacific Ocean on either site, and you’ll see the Sky Tower and Super Yachts in the city centre out to the countless beaches beyond the urban sprawl. The city is home to black and white sand beaches, museums, rugged mountains, farmland, coastal villages, great nightlife; the list is endless! What more could you want?!
In this blog I am going to outline the best bits of New Zealands largest city and share my favourite places to visit. I hope after reading you will have a great insight into what Auckland has to offer and have a burning desire to visit one of my favourite places!
Best Things to Do in Auckland! (IMO)
Sky Tower
Probably Auckland’s biggest landmark - the Sky Tower. At 220 metres high, you have the choice to take the lift or hike the stairs. The Sky Tower is one of the most visible landmarks in the city. From the observation deck, you have a 360° panoramic view of the city beneath you, wow it’s spectacular! In the Sky Tower, there are restaurants, bars and a casino to blow whatever savings you have left by the time you get there!
Devonport
Devonport is the perfect day trip! You can take a ferry from the downtown ferry terminal over to Devonport. This will allow you to see New Zealand’s navy base from the water and explore the colonial style village. Feeling adventurous, you could take a walk-up Mount Victoria or North Head which are two dormant volcanoes to explore the old tunnels and see the old gun and bomb shelters built during World War 2! The word on the street is the tunnels at North Head are haunted. Don’t be scared, I survived!
Viaduct Harbour
As Auckland is surrounded by ocean, it’s hardly surprising the liveliest area is the harbour, or ‘the Viaduct Harbour’ to be precise. Populated by superyachts, boats and surrounded by restaurants and bars, this is without a doubt a place to spend a warm summers evening. If you’re feeling flush, a sailing trip around the harbour and underneath Auckland Harbour bridge is one that will be remembered forever, both personally and in the bank account! For the adrenaline junkies out there, bungee jumping off Auckland Harbour bridge is an unforgettable way to risk your life! Leaping 40 metres off the top of the bridge, and is also New Zealand’s only ocean touch bungee, not that I had the b*lls to risk it!
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island, one of the most talked about attractions that I had to visit after arriving in Auckland. Waiheke has picturesque beaches, great vineyards and cute little villages, and best of all it is just a 40-minute scenic ferry ride from Auckland city! This is a day trip not to miss, whether you choose to explore it on foot (not recommended) or using local public transport. I would recommend using the tourist hop on and hop off buses, alternatively you can rent a scooter to discover the whole island yourself. There are lots of places to eat, some nice shops to visit and offers amazing views of Auckland city.
Eden Park – watch a game of rugby or cricket
With a capacity of almost 50,000, Eden Park is considered New Zealand’s national sports stadium which creates an unmatched atmosphere to experience live sport. The Park is located in the heart of Auckland and is easily accessible with just 3km from the city centre. The stadium is a multi-sports use between rugby union and cricket, regularly hosting the New Zealand national teams in both sports.
Ponsonby – the place to be seen!
Ponsonby is an upper-class city suburb, where the people are rich and trendy, the houses are mega-expensive, shops are mainly designer and where you will without a doubt have a great night out! Ponsonby boasts a vibrant and unmissable entertainment scene that is certainly not one to miss. It’s kind of like Chelsea and Mayfair in London! Ponsonby Road is lined with upmarket bars and restaurants, this is where you would have found me on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday despite being on a backpacker budget!
Even the local police force in Auckland and surrounding suburbs are good 'craic'.
Weather
The Auckland region enjoys a warm coastal climate without any temperature extremes. The summers in Auckland are generally warm with high humidity, while winters are mild and damp. Don’t be fooled when you’re leaving home, expect plenty of rain throughout the year but mainly in winter (June, July and August). The average daily temperature during the summer is 23°C whilst winter temperatures are on average 14°C. Auckland is one of New Zealand’s sunniest regions but can also be very lush with plenty of rainfall. When visiting Auckland, I’d recommend a rainproof jacket, as well as sunglasses, sunhat and sun cream, you just don’t know what to expect at times!
Where to from Auckland?
Like me, if your New Zealand trip starts in Auckland, you’re probably wondering where is best to travel next? Heading north of Auckland lies the ‘Northland’ area. With an array of beautiful places such as beach resorts, Bay of Islands, and the impressive Reinga which is the very tip of the north Island.
Paihia - Bay of Islands
Heading in the opposite direction, where many people head next, is heading south of the north island to the nearby city of Hamilton. Or further afield, you could go to the Coromandel peninsula or the small town of Rotorua which is the Hobbiton movie set from Lord of the Rings. Another popular option heading south is Lake Taupo. Further south from this, you will be reaching the capital of New Zealand, Wellington. If you go any further, you are taking a ferry to the South Island where I’ll be focussing on a special area to me in an upcoming blog!
If you’ve made it this far…
Long story short, don’t skip Auckland on your southern hemisphere travels! Stay here and try some of my suggestions and find out the things I’ve missed. I promise when you leave, you’ll love this city as much as I do!
Oh, really, really wish I could go there!
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