+31 61 055 6678 | The Hague | info@travoley.nl

0
Your Cart is Empty

Auckland

Travoley
Auckland

Auckland

22°C
Clear sky

Auckland Travel Guide

  • About Auckland
As the largest and most multicultural city in New Zealand, Auckland is far more than just a gateway to the country’s blockbuster natural scenery.Indeed, it’s an attractive place in itself, formed by volcanoes and flanked by natural harbours. Its population is as notable for its size as its diversity, with one-third of all Kiwis calling it home. It’s a genuine cultural melting pot, and the nation’s most vibrant city.Thanks to their location on a narrow isthmus, many of Auckland’s districts weave around bays and harbours and most residents live within 5km (2 miles) of the sea. As a result, the city and its surrounds are blessed with over 1,600km (994 miles) of coastline.If you fancy a dip, head to the beaches at Mission Bay, Takapuna or Devonport; for surfing, try the outlying settlements of Piha and Muriwai. Auckland is also obsessed with sailing, with more boats per capita than any other city in the world.Significant Polynesian, Asian and Maori communities help create an eclectic feel, seen in everything from the Pacific Rim cuisine (the fish and seafood here is excellent) to the range of diverse neighbourhoods. Alongside the regenerated waterfront area and ever-expanding Downtown zone, you’ll also find hip districts still characterised by Edwardian and Victorian architecture.One of Auckland’s key attractions is New Zealand’s tallest building, the Sky Tower, where visitors can drink in the views from a height of 328m (1,076ft). There’s also Auckland Museum, renowned for its Maori and Pacific collections which tell the story of New Zealand and its people.While Auckland’s Harbour Bridge might lack the global resonance of its Sydney counterpart, it does – in true Kiwi style – allow you to bungy jump from it.And when you want to escape the urban jungle, head out to the unspoilt Waitakere Ranges, a chain of hills lying 25 km (14 miles) from the city to the west, where you’ll discover traditional Maori carvings, black-sand beaches and ancient kauri trees.
  • Auckland History
Auckland has long attracted eager immigrants, arriving to seek their fortune.The first of many waves of Polynesian migrants are believed to have arrived in New Zealand over 1,000 years ago but the Maori people first settled here around 1350, constructing fortified villages on the surrounding volcanic peaks.But the Maori population was decimated following the arrival of Europeans in the 1820s, mainly due to disease. In 1840, Te Kawau, the then most prominent chief of the Ngati Whatua tribe, offered Governor Hobson land around the present city of Auckland for the sum of £55 and some blankets.The deal was struck with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. But within 20 years, the Maoris lost 40% of their land as a result.Hobson became the governor of the new British colonial settlement, making it the capital of New Zealand. Its population swelled with immigrants, all keen to snap up land. By 1865, Auckland lost its capital status to Wellington.Nevertheless, by the 1890s, more and more inhabitants were attracted from overseas, from Europe, China and India. The city expanded, its port developed and Auckland became the county’s commercial capital.The 20th century brought trams, railways and cars, and the construction of the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 1959 linked the city to the Northern Shore.The post-war period saw increased immigration, a baby boom, an influx of Maoris into the city as well as newcomers from the Cook Islands.In the 1980s, tourism flourished, some declining manufacturing industries were replaced by biotech and creative services, while the finance sector dominated the landscape.A relaxation in immigration policy opened the floodgates to Asians, particularly from Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. But the decade was also marked by the sinking of the anti-nuclear protest ship, the Rainbow Warrior, in Auckland Harbour by French intelligence services. Today, Auckland’s diverse immigrants have lent the city a truly cosmopolitan feel.
  • Did you know?
The original Maori name for Auckland is Tamaki Makaurau. Sir Edmund Hillary was born in Auckland in 1919. In 1999 and 2003, Auckland hosted the America’s Cup sailing contest.
  • Weather in Auckland
Auckland is very much a year-round destination with it’s major attractions open daily. Summer, from December to February, is certainly the most pleasant weather with the daytime temperatures often hovering in the mid 20s Celsius (high 70s Fahrenheit). It’s also the most popular time of year for a visit, meaning you should book accommodation in advance. Between Christmas and New Year is a nice time to be in the city when things quieten down over the holiday season.

CONTACT A TRAVEL EXPERT

1-to-1 Service | Reply within 24hrs | Expert’s Advice

Click here