Explore Auckland
Explore deals, travel guides and things to do in Auckland
What to know before visiting Auckland
Auckland is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about 1,440,300 (June 2022). It is located in the greater Auckland Region—the area governed by Auckland Council—which includes outlying rural areas and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and which has a total population of 1,695,200. While Europeans continue to make up the plurality of Auckland's population, the city became multicultural and cosmopolitan in the late-20th century, with Asians accounting for 31% of the city's population in 2018. Auckland has the eighth-largest proportion of foreign born residents in the world, with 41% of its residents born overseas. With its large population of Pasifika New Zealanders, the city is also home to the biggest ethnic Polynesian population in the world. The Māori-language name for Auckland is Tāmaki Makaurau, meaning "Tāmaki desired by many", in reference to the desirability of its natural resources and geography. Auckland lies between the Hauraki Gulf to the east, the Hunua Ranges to the south-east, the Manukau Harbour to the south-west, and the Waitākere Ranges and smaller ranges to the west and north-west. The surrounding hills are covered in rainforest and the landscape is dotted with 53 volcanic centres that make up the Auckland Volcanic Field. The central part of the urban area occupies a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitematā Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. Auckland is one of the few cities in the world to have a harbour on each of two separate major bodies of water. Today, Auckland's central business district is New Zealand's leading economic hub. It also has a thriving culture that has influenced others across the world, built on its dynamic arts scene and a richly multicultural history.The University of Auckland, founded in 1883, is the largest university in New Zealand. The city's significant tourist attractions include national historic sites, festivals, performing arts, sports activities, and a variety of cultural institutions, such as the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Museum of Transport and Technology, and the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Its architectural landmarks include the Harbour Bridge, the Town Hall, the Ferry Building and the Sky Tower, which is the second-tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere after Thamrin Nine. The city is served by Auckland Airport, which handles around 2 million international passengers a month. Despite being one of the most expensive cities in the world, Auckland is recognised as one of the world's most liveable cities, ranking third in the 2019 Mercer Quality of Living Survey and at first place in a 2021 ranking of the Global Liveability Ranking by The Economist. -Wikipedia
General Info
Time Zone
GMT +12:00
Currency
New Zealand Dollar
1USD = 1.62 NZD
Best time to visit
June
July
Local Weather
JAN
16.0°
16.0°
FEB
16.5°
24.1°
MAR
14.9°
22.6°
APR
12.7°
20.0°
MAY
10.6°
17.4°
JUN
8.4°
15.0°
JUL
7.5°
14.3°
AUG
8.2°
14.9°
SEP
9.7°
16.4°
OCT
11.2°
17.7°
NOV
12.8°
19.5°
DEC
14.9
21.8°
Popular Activities
Explore the popular activities
Sky Tower
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Auckland Zoo
Auckland Domain
Cornwall Park
Butterfly Creek
MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology
Albert Park
Rainbow's End
Silo Park
Weta Workshop Unleashed
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Victoria Park
Domain Wintergardens
Auckland Botanic Gardens
AJ Hackett Auckland Bridge Bungy & Climb
Howick Historical Village
One Tree Hill
Eden Garden
New Zealand Maritime Museum
Great Escape
AJ Hackett Auckland SkyJump & SkyWalk
All Blacks Experience
Aotea Square
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum
Ferry Building
Lloyd Elsmore Park
Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park
Auckland Waterfront
Karamatura Falls
The Mission Bay Fountain
Glover Park
Bastion Point
Explore Group - Auckland
Vector Wero Whitewater Park
Downtown Auckland
Maungauika / North Head Historic Reserve
Kell Park
Viaduct Lookout
West Lynn Garden & Butterfly House
Crystal Mountain
SkyCity Auckland
Tui Glen Reserve
Otuataua Stonefields Reserve
Kennedy Park
Game Over Auckland
Western Springs Park
Long Bay Regional Park
Cyril Bassett VC Lookout
Barry Curtis Park
Browns Bay Beach Reserve
War Memorial Park
Nancy Steen Garden
Lucas Creek Waterfall
Takapuna Beach
Te Toi Uku - Crown Lynn & Clayworks Museum
Emily Place Reserve
Northern Explorer: Scenic Train Auckland - Wellington
Olympic Park
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