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Relaxing in Auckland

Get to know Auckland inside out

City Surrounds

Like many great cities, Auckland is a collection of villages. To Aucklanders, these are vitally important – each is a landmark that helps define the city they live in. For the visitor wanting to know the real Auckland, experiencing them is a must. (But be careful, you do want your delegates back, right?)

The Gulf’s edge

East of the city, facing into the harbour and the wider Hauraki Gulf, swish suburbs like Mission Bay, Kohimarama and St Heliers feel a world away from the Central Business District. But you can be there in minutes, and swim all day.

Across the harbour

The ferries that criss-cross the harbour can take you to another Auckland on the North Shore. Or head over the harbour bridge and really explore. Life on the Shore is a seductive mix of casual and sophisticated, where designer boutiques and cafés sit right next to the beach.

History and heritage

Step back a hundred or more years and see a slice of Auckland as it was. Rows of pretty, weatherboard villas with cottage gardens; shops and cafés made of honey-coloured brick with polished native-wood floors. You don’t need a time machine, just a walk around Northcote Point, Devonport or Birkenhead Point on the Shore, or Ponsonby, Mount Eden, Parnell or Onehunga on the city side.

Retail paradise

Just outside the city centre sits Newmarket, a top destination for discerning Auckland shoppers. The main street alone covers everything from stylish boutiques to department-store shopping. Add in the surrounding lanes, the 277 shopping mall, cafés and restaurants, and Newmarket is top of the shops.

Café society

You can find great coffee and fantastic cafés almost anywhere in Auckland. But places like Ponsonby Road – long known as the Cappuccino Mile – elevate it to high art. As well as Ponsonby, you can find a quality caffeine fix in Parnell, Mount Eden, Howick Village or Herne Bay.

First city of the Pacific

South of one city lies another. Manukau City is a hub in itself, and home to a unique blend of cultures. Auckland is the largest Polynesian city in the world and Manukau is where you can immerse yourself in the food, culture, rhythms and art of the Pacific.

It's all here

It's all here

Venues, accommodation, adventure and culture – the city’s fringes offer infinite variety.

TelstraClear Pacific Event Centre

TelstraClear Pacific Event Centre is an impressive centre shaped like a waka, or Polynesian canoe. Architecturally, it shows contemporary takes on Maori and Polynesian arts and crafts. Just off the southern motorway at Manukau, its indoor arena, theatre and meeting rooms can accommodate almost any event.

Villa Maria Estate

Villa Maria Estate is not just an internationally acclaimed winery, it also has a state-of-the art events centre and is just a few minutes from the airport at Mangere.

Eden Park

Eden Park boasts an incredible heritage as a sporting venue and you can hold your own event or sporting function in The Hall of Legends.

Ellerslie Racecourse

Ellerslie Racecourse (gallops) and Alexandra Park (trotting) are fantastic racecourses.

Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World

Inspired choices for a suitable-themed event.

The Bruce Mason Centre

Named after one of New Zealand’s best-loved playwrights, is located in the North Shore’s beachside commercial centre of Takapuna. Its 1,160-seat auditorium converts into flat-floor banqueting space for 600.

The Spencer on Byron

Also in Takapuna, is a stylish hotel with meeting spaces to suit groups of five right up to 500.

North Harbour Stadium and North Shore Events Centre

Located right on the northern edge of the North Shore, offer large-scale venues with a sporting slant.

Explore another Auckland

The city surrounds are packed with things to see and do. And of course the city itself is just a short distance away. Here are just a few examples of the many activities you might enjoy: