New Zealand Holiday – Main Cities

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Auckland City – The jewel in New Zealand’s crown

New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, is also its international gateway. Most visitors to the country arrive at the Auckland International Airport.

The Auckland metropolitan area is home to over 1.4 million residents and combines a number of business districts with many suburbs. Covering an area of over 400 square miles or around 1000 sqaure kilometers, it is a sprawling city experiencing huge population growth. Auckland is built on an extinct volcanic field, with over 50 volcanoes within its borders.

The Auckland University stretches over several city blocks and incorporates a number of historically significant buildings.

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As a holiday destination, Auckland really packs a punch, with literally hundreds of attractions, historical sites and points of interest for visitors. With a number of museums, art galleries and literally dozens of beaches and bays, the Auckland area can easily accommodate all types of visitors from those seeking a very active holiday to those seeking a more relaxed paced vacation. Major sporting events, numerous conference facilities and even a world class zoo put Auckland at the top of the list for anyone planning their New Zealand holiday.

Every year, Auckland hosts a “Round the Bays Fun Run,” which regularly draws a field of 70,000+ serious and no-so-serious joggers who complete an 8.4km run around Auckland’s beautifully scenic waterfront. For images and new reports from this year’s event click here.

At 328 meters the Sky Tower is New Zealand's tallest building. The upper section contains two restaurants, one of which rotates, giving diners a unique 360 degree dining experience. It is possible to Bungee Jump from the observation platform. Extra restraining cables are used to keep the jumper from contacting the side of the tower during the fall and rebound.

Auckland also caters to those requiring a dose of retail therapy. The central business district is packed with shops, stores and service businesses of all kinds, and just 5 minutes drive to Newmarket Village has you among malls and stores packed with the latest offerings the High Fashion world has to offer.

After all that shopping you will need to relax. Auckland has dozens of domains, parks and reserves as well as fantastic botanical gardens which are the ideal place to unwinding and relax while taking in the colors, sights and sounds of nature.

Auckland’s harbour and the adjacent Hauraki Gulf are also home to a number of islands, each with their own outstanding features. Some of these islands are populated, the largest of these being Waiheke Island. Waiheke Island is described by residents as being “a world away” from the city, although being around only 30 minutes by ferry. A day trip to Waiheke will add a unique element to your vacation and the ferry trip itself will give you a breathtaking view of one of the world’s most beautiful harbours. Make sure to take your camera! The Department of Conservation manages many of the islands and parks in the Auckland region. Click here to visit their website.

One Tree Hill is one of Auckland's more famous landmarks. The lone pine tree that partnered the obelisk was cut down by an activist several years ago. The "hill" is actually one of Auckland's extinct volcanoes. A recreational reserve well loved by Aucklanders, One Tree Hill is actually surrounded by suburban housing. A grassy oasis in a sea of rooftops.

For more information on activities, facilities and places to visit in and around Auckland click here.