Auckland Accommodation

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and is located on two harbours on the country's northern island. It's the urban capital - despite not being the official one - and has an array of museums, restaurants and attractions to explore. Whether you're in town for a few hours or several weeks, it's easy to find Auckland accommodation close to the city's sights, beaches and vibrant nightlife. Auckland offers a variety of holiday homes, from city apartments and serviced apartment hotels overlooking the gulf to traditional B&Bs.

Getting to your Auckland Accommodation

Depending on where your holiday home in New Zealand's commercial capital is, you'll find a range of easy options to help you get there. If you're staying in the thick of the action around the Central Business District, the SkyBus runs 24/7 from Auckland Airport to Queen Street and the Britomart Transport Centre, on the waterfront in the heart of the city. The SkyBus takes between 40-60 minutes. From there, you can take a short ferry ride to vacation rentals on Waiheke Island or the beachside suburb of Devonport.

Or just drive across the Auckland Harbour Bridge from Queen Street and you'll be on the North Shore within 10 minutes. You can also reach Browns Bay, Albany, Mairangi Bay, or other beachside suburbs on the North Shore by taxi or bus in about an hour.

Food and drink in Auckland

Auckland has an eclectic culinary scene, reflecting its diverse population. Queens' Arcade is home to an excellent collection of budget restaurants, especially for Asian dishes. The Stables is an upmarket food court with over 10 restaurants to choose from.

A must in Auckland is Fish Smith in Herne Bay, which serves traditional fish and chips with an unusual twist. If you are seeking something a little more refined and romantic, The Esplanade Bar and Grill is a traditional eatery with a waterside location.

Pakuranga Night Market is an excellent place to spend the evening working your way through the international vendors and sampling a range of fabulous dishes from around the world.

Auckland's cultural scene

Auckland is home to the country's largest collection of art, the impressive Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. In addition to the permanent exhibits, it's worth checking the scheduled lectures, screenings and talks to see if anything of interest is happening when you visit. Both historically significant and visually stunning, the Winter Gardens are a short walk from the museum.

The city has numerous theatres and performance spaces staging concerts, plays and musicals. Venues include the Bruce Mason Centre, Western Springs Stadium and The Civic.

There are also plenty of opportunities to explore Maori culture in Auckland. From the Māngere Mountain Education Centre to guided tours, there are many opportunities to immerse yourself in the county's native culture.

Exploring Auckland's Nightlife

Auckland's CBD, Viaduct Harbour, Wynyard Quarter and North Wharf are the places to be at sundown, when after-work drinks kick off a night of festivities. SkyCity is a 24-hour casino inside Auckland's most iconic building, the Sky Tower, with great entertainment options at all hours. Just next door, but far less flashy, Federal Street, Vulcan Lane, and Fort Lane have seen a huge number of hip bars and trendy eateries pop up in recent years.

Parnell and Ponsonby are suave, sophisticated districts packed with award-winning restaurants. For something a bit different, it's hard to beat the eclectic mix of dive bars, international eateries, DJ gigs and sticky-tiled nightclubs lining K Road, while Kingsland is the place to go for watching live sport with the locals.

Exploring beyond Auckland

Waiheke Island is a half hour boat ride from Auckland and home to just 8000 people. Waiheke has a small historic village which can be visited for a small donation and you can take a tour to explore the rolling landscape. The island is also a popular area for wine cultivation, with several vineyards to explore.

Rangitoto Island is a hiker's paradise and home to a number of lava caves, providing the perfect opportunity to see an ecological highlight just a 25-minute ferry ride from Auckland.

A scenic train connects Auckland with Hamilton and takes roughly an hour and a half. Highlights of this charming town on the banks of the Waikato River include Hamilton Gardens, a large zoo and the Arts Posts, three multifunctional exhibition spaces.

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