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FijiRegion · Auckland and Northland
Auckland
Auckland is the largest city and the main gateway to New Zealand: the harbour, the urban volcanoes, Waiheke Island and the black-sand beaches of the west coast.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The region
Get to know Auckland
The Auckland region (Tāmaki Makaurau, in Māori) occupies a narrow isthmus between two harbours: the Waitematā, opening onto the Hauraki Gulf to the east, and the Manukau to the west. It is the most populous area in the country, and the city of Auckland receives the majority of international flights arriving in New Zealand.
The city sits on a volcanic field with more than 50 volcanoes. Maungawhau (Mount Eden) and Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill) are cones with viewpoints over the city, and Rangitoto, the gulf’s youngest volcanic island, is a short ferry trip from the centre. Along the waterfront, the Sky Tower, Viaduct Harbour and the Wynyard Quarter gather restaurants and boat departures.
In the Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island has wineries, olive groves and beaches, about a 40-minute ferry from the centre. On the west coast, the Waitākere range descends to black-sand beaches such as Piha and Muriwai; at Muriwai, the gannet colony (tākapu) is usually busiest from September to March.
The Auckland Museum (Tāmaki Paenga Hira), in the Auckland Domain park, holds one of the main collections of Māori and Pacific Islands art. Auckland has the largest Polynesian population in the world outside the islands, and that presence shows in the city’s food, markets and music.
To the north begins Northland, with the Bay of Islands, and to the south lie the Coromandel Peninsula, Hobbiton, Waitomo and Rotorua, all a few hours by road.
When to go
The climate is mild and humid year-round. From December to February, summer brings the warmest days and the beach and boating season in the Hauraki Gulf; March and April are usually stable and less busy. From June to August, winter is cool and wetter, with no snow in the city. Weather can change quickly during the same day, and a light jacket is useful in any season.
Getting there
Auckland Airport (AKL), south of the city, is the country’s main international gateway, with non-stop flights to Australia, the Pacific islands, Asia and the Americas, and domestic flights to major cities. The airport is about 20 km from the centre, served by express bus, taxi or car. Ferries to Waiheke and Rangitoto depart from the terminal by the harbour in the city centre. By road, State Highway 1 (SH1) links Auckland to Northland to the north and Hamilton to the south.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Auckland
How many days should you book for Auckland and the surrounding area?
Two to three days are usually enough for the centre and harbour, one urban volcano, the Auckland Museum and a day on Waiheke or the west coast. Many travellers leave a day at the start and another at the end of the trip, because Auckland is where they arrive and depart.
How do you get to Waiheke Island?
Passenger ferries depart from the Downtown Ferry Terminal in the city centre several times a day, and the crossing takes about 40 minutes. On the island there are buses, taxis, car and bicycle hire, and winery tours. To take a car, the vehicle ferry departs from Half Moon Bay, east of the city.
Can you climb a volcano in Auckland?
Yes. Maungawhau (Mount Eden) and Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill) have short paths to the summit, with views of the city and both harbours; at Maungawhau cars do not drive to the top. Rangitoto requires the ferry and about an hour’s walk across lava to the summit.
Do you need a car in Auckland?
In the centre and for the islands, no: buses, trains and ferries provide good coverage. A car is helpful for the west-coast beaches such as Piha and Muriwai, and for continuing on to Northland, Coromandel or the interior of the North Island.