NORTHERN PART OF NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

AUCKLAND

NORTHLAND (including Paihia, Keri Keri, Whangarei, Dargaville)

Sample Itinerary

Auckland:

New Zealand's largest city and the centre of commerce.

Check the Auckland Airport website for information on arrivals and departures, procedures etc. A bus runs into the city every 20 minutes or so and there are numerous shuttles and taxis (cost about $60 into the city but can be considerably higher at peak times). We recommend using Auckland Co-op taxis (09 300-3000) or Corporate Cabs as being the most reliable. Corporate Cabs offer a meet and greet service.

Country code: +64 Area Code: 9 (09 from within NZ)

35 miles across; public transport omproving but limited so a hotel close to the CBD is preferred unless you have your own transport.

Six sub-regions (and cities) in the Auckland Region including North Shore, Waitakere and Manukau as well as Auckland City itself .

Free guides (eg AtoZ and Jasons) are readily available in most hotels, information centres and other vantage points such as the maritime museum.

Recommended activities:

NZ National Maritime Museum

Kelly Tarltons

Sky Tower

Auckland Harbour (the Waitemata Harbour) - coffee cruises, trips to various islands in the Hauraki Gulf; the world-famous Sail-NZ experience and Pride of Auckland. Many cruises leave from the Viaduct or Ferry Building areas.

A ferry ride to Devonport on the North Shore is an enjoyable excursion. As well as some delightful places to stay, Devonport offers boutique shopping and the opportunity to view the harbour and Gulf from the top of two extinct volcanoes (Mount Victoria and North Head) though these are quite a walk and you may prefer to take a taxi from the ferry terminal or join the local sightseeing tour.

Auckland War Memorial Museum (a short taxi ride from the Auckland CBD, on the Explorer Bus circuit, or get there on the economical Link Bus). Well presented and an excellent introduction to NZ culture. Offers Maori cultural performances most days (check the website for times).

Auckland City Art Gallery

Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)

Stardome Observatory ( the southern skies explained)

WINING AND DINING - Auckland offers a seemingly endless number of options in this area.

Recommendations (but note that things can change!)

Upper end
THE GROVE, St Patrick's Square, Auckland City
HARBOURSIDE, Ferry Building, Auckland City CBD
SOUL (Viaduct)

Middle Range
AL DENTE, Customs Street West, Auckland City
WANG THAI, Customs Street West, Auckland City
SP'GETTI, Anzac Rd, Browns Bay, North Shore

Inexpensive
DEGREE BAR, Viaduct, Auckland City
WATERFRONT BAR, at the Maritime Museum, Viaduct, Auckland City

AUCKLAND - CITY AND SKYTOWER

New Zealand National Maritime Museum

Auckland - the Skytower at night