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Largest city in New Zealand
Photo: ChewyPineapple, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Auckland (Maori: Tāmaki Makaurau) is the largest city in New Zealand at 1.7 million citizens, and the main arrival point for visitors to the country. It is a vibrant multicultural city, set around two big natural harbours, and ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world. It is in the warm northern part of the North Island, on a narrow isthmus that joins the Northland peninsula to the rest of the island.
The central business district and central suburbs that made up the former Auckland City. It has many of the main tourist attractions and the bulk of accommodation options.
Stretching from Orewa and the Hibiscus Coast in the north to Devonport on the North Shore in the south, North Harbour has the longest unbroken urban coastline in New Zealand. Devonport, ten minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland, is a popular day trip with its little cafes and Mt Victoria.
The areas south and east of Central Auckland, including Manukau, Howick and Papakura.
Dominated by the Waitakere Ranges, the former Waitakere City offers many of the delights of New Zealand in one area – unique trees and flowers, hiking and wineries – and is the gateway to the West Coast beaches such as Piha and Muriwai.
By bus
The InterCity Sky City Bus Terminal at 102 Hobson St (behind Sky City Plaza) is the main hub for national coachline InterCity and its subsidiaries GreatSights.
By train
The Northern Explorer train runs from central Wellington to Auckland Strand Station on Ngaoho Place, in eastern central Auckland. The 681-km (423-mi) journey takes about 12 hours.
By car
Auckland is accessed from the south via State Highway 1.
By ship
Auckland is a major cruise ship port of call with over 100 cruise ships a year.
By bus
Bus services cover most areas of Auckland.
By train
Travel by urban train is a good option, but only if you are near a train line; there are few lines and not all suburbs are served.
By car
The road network experiences severe congestion at rush hour. Geography constrains the network to a limited number of routes.
By taxi
Taxi fares vary considerably from company to company. For example, see the Get in: By plane section for an indication of fares from the airport to Waitematā.
By ferry
Ferry services operate from the CBD to other points on the mainland and to Hauraki Gulf islands.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Auckland · International · AKL
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