Auckland & the Bay of Islands Road Trips

WELCOME TO
AUCKLAND & THE BAY OF ISLANDS

Reluctantly leave Aucklands harbour-fringed urban charms and chart a path north to sleepy harbours, compact coves and destinations etched into this young nations heritage.

The Bay of Islands combines natural beauty with Mori and colonial history and further north is windswept and spiritual Cape Reinga. The upper west coast of New Zealands North Island is less developed but equally spectacular, and Auckland is the perfect base for journeys combining fine wine, farmers markets and local wildlife.

Just a short drive away, the stunning Coromandel Peninsula is fringed by some of NZs finest beaches and most spectacular coastal road trips.

Bay of Islands
MB PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES

AUCKLAND & THE BAY OF ISLANDS HIGHLIGHTS

The welcome sign reads Slow Down. Youre Here, and most visitors quickly oblige. Rural roads meander to sophisticated vineyard restaurants with stellar views back to Auckland. See it on Trip

IAN TROWER/GETTY IMAGES

Aucklands Edwardian baroque Ferry Building sits grandly along the citys vibrant waterfront. See it on Trips

DAVID MADISON/GETTY IMAGES

Enjoy walking trails that offer bird-watching and breathtaking coastal views. See it on Trip

MICAH WRIGHT/DESIGN PICS/GETTY IMAGES

CITY GUIDE

Auckland city and harbour at dawn
MATTEO COLOMBO/GETTY IMAGES

Arrayed around two natural harbours, Auckland celebrates a maritime vibe with waterfront restaurants and bars, and exciting ways to explore nearby islands and beaches. Observe Aucklands ocean-fringed horizons from the Sky Tower, head to Waiheke Island for a vineyard lunch, or learn about Kiwi culture at the Auckland Museum.

Auckland traffic is busy and parking expensive, so use the Link bus network instead. The Red City Link ($1) shuttles around the city centre, while the Green Inner Link ($2.50) services SkyCity, Ponsonby and the Auckland Museum.

Street parking options and car parks dot the city centre, costing up to $13 per hour. Park at the Wynyard Quarter car park (entrance on Beaumont St), where the first hour is free and each additional hour is $2. From there catch the City Link bus.

Head to the harbour-front Wynyard Quarter for good restaurants. The nearby Britomart Precinct features eateries in repurposed heritage warehouses, and Ponsonby Central is a laneside collection of restaurants and cafes.

Hotels dot central Auckland, while B&Bs in inner suburbs, including Ponsonby, Parnell and Mt Eden, are convenient bases for public transport and in close proximity to good eating and drinking.

Tourist Information (www.aucklandnz.com) Sights, accommodation, restaurants and events.

The Denizen (www.thedenizen.co.nz) The citys best recently opened cafes, bars and restaurants.

Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/auckland) Lonely Planets city guide.

Trips Through Auckland

NEED TO KNOW

MOBILE PHONES

European phones work on New Zealands networks; most American or Japanese phones wont. Use roaming or a local pre-paid SIM card.

INTERNET ACCESS

Wi-fi is available in most decent size towns and cities; sometimes free, sometimes hideously expensive. Internet cafes are few.

FUEL

Unleaded fuel (petrol, aka gasoline) is available from service stations across NZ, although be prepared in remote locations where there may be 100km between stations. Prices dont vary too much: per-litre costs at the time of research were around $1.80.

HIRE CARS

Ace Rental Cars (www.acerentalcars.co.nz)

Apex Car Rentals (www.apexrentals.co.nz)

Go Rentals (www.gorentals.co.nz)

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Country code