Overview

Auckland is a city of Volcanos, having been carved and shaped by the ridges and rivers of lava flow long ago. The city itself is built on the Auckland Volcanic Field, home to 48 extinct volcanoes. The native people of New Zealand, the Maori, cherish their home land, and its easy to see why; the lushly forested hills, protective and nutrient rich volcanic soils and two harbors flourishing with aquatic life. Auckland is a thriving, exciting city and is one of the top rated places to live in the world. This stunning city features an array of cultural inspiration. Auckland's extraordinary atmosphere is a mixing pot for tourists and travelers from all around the world.

Ship Location

Ships dock at Princes Wharf, in the heart of downtown Auckland's waterfront. The main shopping district is about a 10 minute walk from the ship.

Getting Around

Walking is the best way to explore downtown. To get beyond the central business district (CBD), look for a bus called "The Link". Taxis are relatively plentiful and many accept credit cards.

Attractions

Head to the streets of Victorian and Edwardian villas in its hip inner city suburbs if you would like to get a inside peak of this city true inter-workings. There are also plenty of things to see and do at The New Zealand National Maritime Museum its a popular world-class 'cant miss' attraction chronicling New Zealand's past. The exhibitions showcase the highlights of New Zealand's exploration and maritime development. The museum is also famous for a 10-minute animated film highlighting one of human history's most amazing migrations, "See Ta Waka: Our Great Journey". If you are craving some fresh air, head to The Heritage Vessel Fleet, an outdoor gallery located at Hobson Wharf. It is a collection of 19th Century maritime vessels on which you can relive the past by taking a short voyage. The Ports of Auckland's StarDome Observatory and Planetarium is visited by some 60,000 people a year. The observatory is a 360 degree domed theater with a .5m Zeiss telescope. In the theater, visitors are able to step into the worlds final frontier, experiencing nebulae, galaxies, comets, clusters, suns, moons, and solar systems like never before. The Waitakere Ranges contain extraordinary waterfalls, beaches, heart stopping views, and 250 km of walking trails. The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park covers over 16,000 hectares of rainforest and coastline. Recreational activities include swimming, surfing, hiking, running, fishing, picnicking, camping, horse back riding, and simply relaxation.