Destination Guide to Auckland, New Zealand

The main advantage Auckland possesses is its location on the coast. It is also the biggest city in New Zealand and by virtue of being close to the Hauraki Gulf, the two harbours – Waitemata along with Viaduct provide it with busy waterfront spaces. Consequently, this city is also well known for its sailing events and it is no wonder that it is referred to as the ‘City of Sails’. The city has close to a 100 beaches that you can get to by just driving for an hour or so from the central point of the city.

It stands to logic that Auckland would have tourist attractions related to superb cruises, views of the coast, pristine beaches, walking trails and other such activities where you are closest to nature. If you can make your accommodation into one of the many cheap hotels in Auckland, you can then take the Explorer Bus Tours that take you through the city’s many sights with appropriate commentary about them. You are free to spend more time at a place and get in to the next bus. There are discounts offered for children and the elderly.

Another unique way of getting to know the city is through the balloon flights. Since weather conditions are normally sunny and pleasant, these flights are excellent to enjoy great panoramic sights of the city and here too, there are discounts offered for children and senior citizens.

Auckland celebrates many festivals and central Auckland is the place where many of the events like the Royal Easter Show, the Lantern Festival, the St.Patrick’s festival and parties are held. Music lovers will enjoy the baby prom event in April as it has the famous Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra playing and rally lovers can follow the Rally New Zealand event held every year in April.

May brings with it two weeks of the Comedy Festival, where comedians from within the city as well as from other countries entertain you with rib tickling humour. The New Zealand Boat Show and the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival are other events that you can enjoy during May and June.

The proximity to the coastline means that you are in for a treat as far as the best in seafood is concerned and the many eateries and hotels in Auckland offer tourists great variety in seafood as well as other cuisines due to the cosmopolitan nature of this city. Many of the restaurants are situated in the central part of the city though you will also find good restaurants within the inner suburbs like Ponsoby Road and Parnell Road. Downtown Auckland plays host to many Asian restaurants that specialise in authentic Japanese, Chinese as well as Thai cuisine.

High Street, Albert Street, Shortland Street are other places where you step into street cafes. But tourists generally prefer to enjoy the ambience and atmosphere of the waterfront restaurants in Viaduct Harbour where they get to savour their food and drink soaking in the lovely view of the harbor.