My Travel Guide to Auckland
*All work including photos and writing on this page is my own, except the link to the Expedia video, freely available on Youtube.
If ever there was a liveable paradise city, Auckland is certainly that place! Both myself and my daughter fell in love with it instantly. As the sunshine highlights the harbour with a warm embrace, this city is not only beautiful, full of life and character, safe and tranquil, but also there is plenty to see and do. It is an up and coming business success story too. Soaring house prices point to the future prosperity of this city. It is a very safe city, not just from crime, but there are no dangerous animals, insects, snakes, or bears. That was a huge attraction for me!
If ever there was a liveable paradise city, Auckland is certainly that place! Both myself and my daughter fell in love with it instantly. As the sunshine highlights the harbour with a warm embrace, this city is not only beautiful, full of life and character, safe and tranquil, but also there is plenty to see and do. It is an up and coming business success story too. Soaring house prices point to the future prosperity of this city. It is a very safe city, not just from crime, but there are no dangerous animals, insects, snakes, or bears. That was a huge attraction for me!
One of the things that impressed me in Auckland, or New Zealand in general was the respect the people have for the native Maori people and their culture. The Maori name for Auckland is Tamaki Makaurau (Tamaki with a hundred lovers). Maori first settled in 1350 from the Pacific Islands and valued it for it's rich and fertile volcanic land. The British colonised it in 1840. Out of all the places I have visited and despite being furthest from Britain it is without doubt the most similar country to the U.K. The T.V has many, many British shows, they love British sports, food, stores. We even joked with my nieces that live there when we asked what the traditional food of New Zealand is and they replied 'Pies and fish and chips' even that is British food!! Although they do lay claim to fame to the Pavlova dessert. The majority of immigrants are still British, so I think the British influence will continue for many years.
The main sport of course is Rugby and any Rugby fan from anywhere in the world, myself included of course has great respect for the New Zealand team the All Blacks. Even here they incorporate their Maori heritage with the world famous HAKA at the start of every match! I think we all love that. It is a traditional Maori War cry/Dance.
The main sport of course is Rugby and any Rugby fan from anywhere in the world, myself included of course has great respect for the New Zealand team the All Blacks. Even here they incorporate their Maori heritage with the world famous HAKA at the start of every match! I think we all love that. It is a traditional Maori War cry/Dance.
Things to do and see
Waiheke Island - Take a ferry across to this stunning island and visit the beautiful Mudbrick Vineyard and restaurant. The vineyard is pictured below.
The Auckland Sky Tower, which dominates the Auckland skyline.
Auckland Museum Cornwall Park Devonport, for a great view of the Auckland skyline! Mount Eden, A great view point. Viaduct Harbour, pictured below. Auckland Art Gallery, with FREE entry!
Takapuna Beach, just across the Auckland Bridge, a pretty little beach in a very safe holiday village. It is great for families, with a kids play area too. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants here too. Pictured below. Mission Bay is a beautiful bay area. This Bay is great for walking, jogging, cycling, Paddleboarding and windsurfing, or just relaxing.
Also the Auckland neighbourhood of Posonby is well worth a visit too. |
Trips you can take out of Auckland
For any Hobbit or Lord of the Rings fans, then Hobbiton Movie set is a must see place. It was actually very good, even though I haven't watched the films. Pictured below.
Rotorua. A beautiful little town on a lake. Pictured below.
Wellington. The Capital city of New Zealand.
Muriwai Gannet Colony. This is close to Auckland. Matakana Village. Just 40 mins north of Auckland. Kitekite Falls Waitomo Glow worm caves, truly magical!! There are many Mud and geothermal spas well worth a visit in the Rotorua area as well as Maori villages. We enjoyed visiting these. Of course there are many Extreme sports available in this area, the home of Bungee jumping, but I declined to try those. The South Island is also well worth a visit if you have at least an extra week. It has spectacular scenery and mountains, but do take some warmer clothes with you. Cycling is a great way to get around New Zealand and the islands. Waiheke Island has cycle rentals available at the ferry port. Climate The weather is warm and slightly humid in the summers with an average of 23c. March being the driest and best month to visit. The winters are mild and damp with an average of 14c. The South Island is colder and there are ski resorts there too.
We visited in March 2017 and the weather was beautiful! Just perfect for me actually. |
Food
There is a great selection of cafes and restaurants in Auckland. Eating out isn't cheap, but the quality of the food is excellent. Vegetarians and food restrictive diets are very well catered for here. There is an emphasis on natural and organic and fresh juices and smoothies, which I love. The wine is local and very good. I found you could buy wine here cheaper than juice. Sauvignon Blanc is the main local wine, but if you prefer red wine, there is plenty of good red wines available here too at excellent prices! The local Rose is also excellent.
These are the popular restaurants.
-Ahi, New Zealand
- Gerome, Greek
- Culprit, International
- Le Bistro Des Gourmets, French
- Tokyo Bay, Japanese
- Hello Beasty, Asian Fusion
- Gorkha Eastern Beach, Indian
- Apero Food & Wine, European
-El Humero, Steakhouse/Colombian Restaurant
These are the popular restaurants.
-Ahi, New Zealand
- Gerome, Greek
- Culprit, International
- Le Bistro Des Gourmets, French
- Tokyo Bay, Japanese
- Hello Beasty, Asian Fusion
- Gorkha Eastern Beach, Indian
- Apero Food & Wine, European
-El Humero, Steakhouse/Colombian Restaurant
Crime
Auckland is one of the safest cities in the world. The highest crime though can be found in Auckland Central, which is from the Waterfront to Hillsborough. Hotspots include One Tree Hill, Papatoetoe, Mt Eden, Onehunga. Most crime is car crime and theft, though rather than violent crime though.
The safest areas are Davenport, Takapuna (We stayed here by the beach, which was lovely!), Howick, Remuuera and Milford.
The safest areas are Davenport, Takapuna (We stayed here by the beach, which was lovely!), Howick, Remuuera and Milford.
For more information contact the Auckland Tourism Office on this link. Tourism
I have yet to meet anyone that hasn't enjoyed their visit to Auckland. The only thing stopping me returning soon is the long journey from the U.K, but it was well worth that to experience this enchanting city on the other side of the world.
For more information contact the Auckland Tourism Office on this link. Tourism
I have yet to meet anyone that hasn't enjoyed their visit to Auckland. The only thing stopping me returning soon is the long journey from the U.K, but it was well worth that to experience this enchanting city on the other side of the world.