Auckland City Regional Information

Auckland City's diversity provides something to delight culture experts, outdoor enthusiasts and those in search of a buzzing urban centre. As a city of contrasts and variety, there is always something new on offer.

The Auckland Sky Tower dominates the city's skyline and has become a central focus of the city for visitors, drawing in half of all international visitors to the city. At 328 metres in height, it is the Southern Hemisphere's tallest tower and provides stunning panoramic views for more than 80 kilometres.

The Hauraki Gulf is another of the city's attractions that is located within easy reach of the city and is enjoyed by visitors and locals alike as an escape from busy city life. Among the Gulf's islands are Rangitoto, a black lava volcanic island; Waiheke Island, a retreat with beautiful beaches, native forests, cafes and vineyards; Motuihe Island, where families can walk, camp and picnic; and historic Kawau Island, which was once home to Sir George Grey, the Governor of New Zealand. The island of Tiritiri Matangi is a wildlife sanctuary where a number of threatened and endangered species of bird live. Great Barrier Island provides eco-tourism and adventure tourism opportunities, with numerous walking tracks, wildlife sanctuary, hot pools, beaches and sites that are ideal for mountain biking, sea kayaking and surfing.

The city also has much to offer in the way of history, culture and heritage. The Auckland City Art Gallery houses a comprehensive collection of art from local and international artists, along with a programme of touring exhibitions. The Auckland Museum showcases the natural, cultural and social history of New Zealand, and is the custodian of a prestigious collection of Maori treasures, or taonga. For those on foot, the guided heritage walking tour of Auckland outlines the origins of the city and its significant historic sites.

The most populated urban area in New Zealand is never still: a number of annual events are attended by locals, other New Zealanders and international visitors. For garden lovers, there is the Ellerslie Flower Show which serves as a focal point for the horticultural, floral, landscape design and construction industries to promote their wares. The fashion world spins on the axis that is the annual Air New Zealand Fashion Week, an event at which potential buyers and media survey the accomplishments of Kiwi designers. Celebrating the diversity of Pacific cultures in Auckland, the annual Pasifika Festival allows visitors to be immersed in the culture through contemporary arts and music, traditional food, crafts and cultural performances.

For the food and wine connoisseur, there is much to sample and enjoy in the city, with a large number of cafes, fine dining restaurants, specialty food producers and wineries thriving in the region. Waiheke Island, a thirty minute ferry ride from Auckland, is known as a holiday getaway but also as the location of many boutique wineries, where some of the country's best red wines are produced. Just north of the city lies the Matakana region which hosts a weekly Farmers' Market where local growers and food producers sell a range of organic produce and wine.

Navigate with our great Auckland City map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region. While you're on the road, be prepared for all seasons with weather forecasts, reports and current information on Auckland City weather.

Auckland's visitor information site can offer advice on travel in the region.