Auckland acts as the gateway to New Zealand as most visitors first enter New Zealand on Auckland flights and then proceed for tour to the other important cities and sights. With a 100 km coastline of beaches, Auckland is known as “The City of Sails” as most of the population own boats. It also has about 48 volcanic cones, marine reserves and several regional parks. The city has the biggest concentration of Polynesian people worldwide, so though English is the main spoken language in this city, you will also get to hear other Polynesian, Maori and other Asian languages. As New Zealand is based in the Southern Hemisphere its seasons are the reverse of places located in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer months span December to February, and winter months are from June to August.
Auckland can literally be divided into North, South, East and West with regard to its lifestyle and activities. The Hauraki Gulf is the jewel in Auckland's crown. It is comprised of beautiful islands such as Waiheke Island, Rangitoto & Motutapu, Great Barrier Island, Rotoroa Island and Kawau Island. The Northern parts of Auckland will see you leaving the city behind, and entering areas which produce the best food and wine. Some places to visit in North part would be Silverdale & Albany, Birkenhead, Whangaparaoa Peninsula and Devonport. South Auckland has the largest Polynesian community in the world. Manukau in South part is a busy modern cosmopolitan center.
Places to visit here are Awhitu Peninsula, in and around Pukekohe, Manukau and Mangere. East Auckland is the sweeping coastline which is punctuated with Pohutukawa trees; boutique wineries, windsurfers, producers of gourmet food can all be found in East Auckland. Places to visit would be Clevedon, Howick and Pohutukawa Coast. Auckland has its Wild West also! Native forests, black volcanic sand and the rolling waves of the Tasman Sea hit West part. Some of the places to visit would be Waitakere Ranges, Woodhill Forest, Helensville and Piha. Tourist buses make regular circuit trips to all the popular tourist sites. Ferry services also operate giving the tourist a grand view of the city and the many islands nearby. Waiheke Island is another great place to visit – it has superior accommodation, as also good beaches, wineries and groves of olives.
If you are planning a trip to New Zealand, schedules for Auckland flights can be found online. The service of the online companies is good and reliable. Special packages are also available if one would like to combine the flight booking with hotel bookings and car rental.
Martin Wynn
