Auckland Travel Tips
Keep in Mind...
- Pause at a café A thriving café culture pervades Auckland, so you'll see coffee shops—and people enjoying the Fair Trade brew—throughout the city.
- Just sound it out The Maori language isn't hard to speak. Remember to break down the words into syllables and pronounce every syllable ("wh" words are usually pronounced with "f" sounds).
- Get high Auckland is a city of soaring vistas, which are best observed from up high. Check out One Tree Hill, Mount Eden, or a number of other lookout points for some awesome photo ops.
The City of Sails is New Zealand's largest and most cosmopolitan city. So along with the soaring skyscrapers and the trendy nightclubs on Karangahape Road (aka "K'Road"), you get laid-back beaches and the blue-green waters of the island-studded Hauraki Gulf. You'll also experience a mesh of cultures: Asians, Europeans, and indigenous Maori people. The latter make up a significant part of the population and gift Auckland with their beautiful language, festivals, and customs. Auckland is a great place to taste several different worlds. You have the relaxed beauty of a Polynesian vacation and the up-tempo excitement of a big city with its requisite fine restaurants (try the mussels and oysters!) and shopping. You even have the intriguing cultural residue of a medieval land that once clashed with British invaders.
How To Save Money in Auckland
- Buy an Auckland Multipass If you're traveling with a family, the Auckland Multipass is a good way to conserve your cash. It includes admission to five kid-friendly attractions for a discounted price.
- Travel in the low season The months between May and September constitute Auckland's low season. This time of year, you'll find discounted airfare and hotel rates.
Auckland Culture & Customs
Maori culture: The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand with a history that dates back to the medieval era. You might run across some cultural displays such as the traditional "kapa haka" style of dance, which involves chanting, singing, and dancing with a ball on a string. You might also hear the Maori language, though most Maori people also speak English. To learn about more about the Maori, visit the Auckland Museum.
Kiwi culture: New Zealanders invented bungee jumping, and they're very proud of their extreme sports. Kiwis are also very proud of their country's natural beauty. If you've ever seen any of the Lord of the Rings films, you'll understand what they're bragging about. Also, New Zealand coffee—ever tasted a flat white?—is to-die-for.
The official currency here is the New Zealand dollar (NZD), which is equivalent to approximately $0.80 USD.
Plan Your Trip to Auckland
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Melbourne
- A vibrant Aussie metropolis
- With world-class cuisine
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Queenstown
- New Zealand's adventure capital
- Features jaw-dropping scenery
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Lake Tahoe
- Powdery slopes replace skyscrapers
- No passport required
