Auckland

New Zealand's largest urban area and international gateway, blending a harbor city, volcanic cones, islands and black-sand beaches.

Auckland lies on a narrow isthmus in the northern North Island, between the Waitematā Harbour and the Manukau Harbour, and is known as the “City of Sails.” The city has the Sky Tower, the harbor waterfront and dozens of volcanic cones such as Mount Eden. Ferries reach Waiheke Island, known for wine and beaches, and the volcanic island of Rangitoto. In the west, the Waitākere Ranges and Piha's black-sand beach are great for nature trips, and the North Shore also has many beaches. The climate is mild, and summer and autumn are best. Auckland Airport is New Zealand's main international gateway.

Destinations

• Auckland City
• Great Barrier Island

Itineraries

• Great Barrier Island Dark Sky Getaway – Take a ferry to the island, hike the hot springs track, climb Mount Hobson (Hirakimata), and stargaze at night
• Classic North Island: Auckland to Wellington – Head south from Auckland to Wellington, connecting the glowworm caves, Hobbiton Movie Set, geothermal wonders, and alpi…
• Auckland First Visit – Three days of highlights: the city harbour and Sky Tower, the Waiheke Island wineries and beaches, and Mount Eden and t…
• Northland Twin Coast Loop – Depart from Auckland to loop around Northland, seeing kauri forests, Cape Reinga, and the Bay of Islands
• Auckland Volcanoes, Harbour and Hobbiton – Rangitoto Island, Devonport, the volcanic cones and the Ponsonby neighbourhood, plus a day trip to Hobbiton.
• Auckland Family Holiday – The zoo, Museum of Transport and Technology, Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium and Rainbow's End: a city holiday suited…
• Hauraki Gulf Islands and West Coast Nature – Based in the city centre, take ferries to a bird sanctuary island and a volcanic island, then explore the west coast an…
• Auckland City and Day Trips – Auckland city plus Waiheke Island, Hobbiton and the glowworm caves, with a night on the Coromandel Peninsula.
• Northern Explorer Train & Volcano Route – A car-free journey from Auckland by scenic train to hike Tongariro, then south to Wellington
• New Zealand North to South: Auckland to Queenstown – Head south from Auckland through geothermal areas and Wellington, cross the strait, and explore the lakes and fjords to…