48 hours in Auckland – Weekend Edition
Auckland In Less Than 48 Words
Welcome to Auckland, the largest and most populous city in New Zealand. No, it’s not the capital – that distinction belongs to Wellington – but that has not prevented it from being prosperous and famous. It is a modern metropolis, with superb shopping and dining avenues, plus a buzzing nightlife.
The Sky Tower dominating Aukland’s skyscraper (Photo by 111 Emergency)
First 24 Hours
You can fly down to the beautiful city of Auckland via the Auckland Airport, located 21 kilometers south of the city center. From there, you can ride the Airbus (00 64 9 375 4730; website)to the major hotels in the city. The fare will be around NZ$15, and the buses arrive at the terminal every 30 minutes. You can also opt to hire a taxi at the airport’s taxi booth, although this will cost a lot more.
Auckland is mostly built around dozens of dormant volcanoes and two harbors; so it can be a little difficult to navigate, especially for first timers. You would do well heading first to the city’s main tourist office (corner of Victoria and Federal Streets, 00 64 9 3676009, website). You can get there valuable tourist information, as well as a tourist map.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Auckland’s hotels
Langham Hotel room (Photo by Luxury Travel Butler)
You can arrange your stay at any one of Auckland’s excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Hotel DeBrett (2 High Street, Auckland, 1010, (09)925 9000, website). It offers exquisite rooms, friendly staff, and great breakfast at reasonable prices. A nice alternative is the The Langham Auckland (83 Symonds St, Auckland, 1061, (09) 379 5132, auckland.langhamhotels.co.nz), which has a great location near the airport, with plush amenities and an attentive staff.
You can also try out Henry’s Boutique Accommodation (33 Peel Street | Grey Lynn, Auckland 1022, +64 9 360 2700, website). It offers a private location, comfortable rooms, great breakfast, beautiful décor, plus excellent service.
SKY TOWER: Let’s take a view
A popular attraction among tourists is the Sky Tower (corner Victoria and Federal Streets, 08007592489, website). It is the tallest free-standing structure in the southern hemisphere, measuring 328 meters in height. The structure dominates the city skyline, and is a very much recognizable landmark.
You can take a lift up to its summit for NZ$18, and once there you will be mesmerized by sweeping views of the cityscape and its surrounding scenery. Sky-jumping (00 64 9 3681835; website) is also a popular option at the site, where you will throw yourself off the building, supported only by a cable. It will cost you around NZ$195.
AUCKLAND DOMAIN: A walk in the park
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Auckland is the Auckland Domain (Park Road, central suburb of Grafton). It is the oldest park in the city, and sprawls over an area of 75 hectares mostly within the crater of the Pukekawa Volcano. Take a leisurely stroll through its formal gardens, green clearings, and cherry groves. You can even go for a picnic near its duck ponds, under the shade of its century-old trees. You’ll also see a large reflecting pool fitted with three impressive bronze sculptures.
Auckland Domain (Photo by Sandy Austin)
Another attraction inside the park is the Auckland War Memorial Museum (09 309 0443, website). It is considered to be one of the country’s most important war museums and memorials. You will find a lot of interesting exhibits there including images of wars that New Zealand had participated in, Maori artifacts, 1.5 million natural history specimens, and memorials dedicated to the casualties of World Wars I and II.
You’ll also see in the park the Wintergarden complex, which is a protected heritage site. It has two display glasshouses containing tropical and temperate plants, a formal courtyard with a pool, and a fernery. It is open daily between 9 am and 4:30 pm, and admission is free.
PONSONBY: Go for a hike
Posonby (Photo by Mike Hales)
Another excellent option is strolling down the upper-middle class residential suburb of Ponsonby (western Auckland CBD). It is a section of the city known for its colorful character, with an array of Art Deco buildings, plus superb dining, shopping, and entertainment establishments. You can also see there a few notable buildings, such as the Former Ponsonby post office, Former Ponsonby Fire Station, The Leys Institute, All Saints Church, St John’s Church, Allandale House, Unitarian Church, and the Ponsonby Mosque.
DINNER TIME: Discover Auckland’s restaurants
After a hectic sightseeing schedule you refresh yourself at the superb restaurants in the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at The French Café (210 Symonds Street, Auckland 1001, 09-377-1911, website). It offers exquisite food, excellent service, good wine selection, and an authentic French cuisine. A nice alternative is the O’Connell St Bistro (3 O’Connell Street, Auckland 1001, 09-377-1884), which has outstanding food, service, and wine.
You can also try out The Grove (Wyndham St, Auckland 1001, (09) 368 4129). It specializes in an inventive cuisine using fresh local ingredients and an excellent service to complete a quality dining experience. Have dessert at Fridge (507 New North Rd | Kingsland, Auckland, (09) 845 5321), where you can go for some of the exquisite pies, specially made for you.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in Auckland can be used to discover the city’s other attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is the Howick Historical Village (Bells Road, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, Auckland, (64-9) 576 9506, website). It is a museum that recreates a traditional New Zealand colonial village, featuring authentic houses and cottages preserved from the 19th century. You can also see inside it various exhibits that detail the history of the city’s inhabitants from 1840 to the early 20th century. The site is open daily between 10 am and 4 pm, and admission will cost you around NZ$14.
MT. EDEN: Go to a mountain paradise
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can go for a hike and a climb up Mt. Eden located five kilometers south of the Auckland city center. It is the highest point of the city, and rises 196 meters tall. It is very popular among tourists to the city, as its summit provides sweeping views of the cityscape. Other attractions on the mountain are the Eden Park, the Mount Eden Prisons, and the Mount Eden Memorial Hall.
The crater of Mt. Eden (Photo by Stephen Glauser)
AUCKLAND ZOO: See the wild animals
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Auckland Zoo (Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland, +64 9 360 3805, website). It is the main zoological garden of the city, and was opened back in 1922. The zoo covers an area of around 50 acres, and is home to over 730 animals of 113 different species. You can see Asian elephants, wallabies, kangaroos, emu, hippopotamuses, kiwis, tuataras, cheetahs, flamingoes, Bornean orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and many more.
You can also find there the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine, which is a state-of-the-art facility considered as the first national centre for conservation medicine on the planet. The zoo is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, and admission will cost you around NZ$19.
STARDOME OBSERVATORY: Observe the skies
Another nice attraction in the city is the Stardome Observatory (670 Manukau Rd, One Tree Hill Domain, Royal Oak, Auckland, (09) 624 1246, website). It is a public astronomical observatory founded in 1967. Inside the 1,000-square meter complex you will see two telescope domes and a planetarium. Using its powerful telescopes, you will be able to see the outer reaches of space, while its 360-degree digital dome theater will let you know more about the universe.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Auckland’s vibrant nightlife scene
Bellini bar (Photo from Google images)
Lastly you can have a try at the vibrating nightlife offered by Auckland’s bars and clubs. One of the most popular is the Degree Gastrobar (204 Quay Street, Auckland, 1010, (09) 377 1200, website). It is a lively gastro bar that specializes in hearty seafood, champagne, cocktails, and wines, plus a unique counter made of solid ice. A nice alternative is Bellini (The Hilton Princes Wharf 147 Quay Street, Auckland, 00 649 978 2000, website), a swanky bar with modern Mediterranean designs and a hushed and gentle atmosphere.
You can also try out Bungalow 8 (48 Market Pl, Auckland Central, Auckland, 1010, +64 9 307 1500, website). It is a stylish Viaduct bar that boasts to be a fusion of the NY cool and LA glam, offering a West Coast ambience, signature cocktails, glamorous crowds, New Zealand’s best wines, and a bamboo ceiling.
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