Auckland Flights
Flying from all major UK airports on all major airlines, we have loads of discounted flights to Auckland, so simply use our search box below to book the cheapest available Auckland flight.
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- Hyde Park Executive Apartments - 4* - London
from £70 - New Zealand Auckland Special Excludes Flights
from £45 - Corus Hotel Hyde Park - 4* - London
from £79 - New Zealand North Island Special Excludes Flights
Auckland from £45 - Britannia Hotel Manchester - 3* - Manchester
from £50
Just over 300km (190 miles) from the northern tip of the North Island, Auckland bestrides a narrow isthmus, the citys districts weaving their way around bays and harbours, large and small. Around the city are numerous rugged hills, reminders of the eruptions of the 48 volcanoes that created the isthmus some 50,000 years ago. The earths crust is very thin between Waitemata and Manukau harbours and fissures in the surface burst forth with magma every few thousand years, to create more volcanoes the last some six hundred years ago, which formed Rangitoto Island, much to the consternation of the Maori settled on neighbouring Motutapu Island.
Current thinking has it that over 1,000 years ago, the first of many waves of Polynesian migrants arrived in New Zealand in double-hulled canoes, to begin hunting and limited cultivation on the fertile volcanic land. Highly defensible and numerous, the volcano-top sites covered by rich soil made wonderful settlements, which consequently flourished. However, after the arrival of Europeans in the 1820s, the introduction of the gun (which led to a massive increase in inter-tribal warfare) and European-carried disease, the Maori population was decimated. In 1840, the British bought land in the area from the local Maori tribe, for £55 and some blankets. Auckland was made the capital city of New Zealand, which it remained until 1865, when Wellington took over.
As well as the harbours and fertile land, the citys maritime climate is appealing. Its situation by the sea means that it never gets too hot in summer or too cold in winter. There may be occasional frosts during wintertime (June to August) but seldom anything too severe, while summer temperatures usually stay in the mid-20s Celsius (upper-70s Fahrenheit), although it can become quite humid. Such a climate naturally leads to a healthy (and hedonistic) outdoor lifestyle. Although exact figures vary, it is said that there are more boats per capita here than in any other city in the world. There are over 500km (310 miles) of walking trails within Greater Auckland, as well as 22 leafy parks. But when the city palls, its inhabitants escape to the offshore Hauraki Gulf Islands, the Coromandel Peninsula or up the coast to another of the countrys seaside beauty spots, the Bay of Islands.
Boats to the islands leave the ferry terminal, a part of Aucklands regenerated waterfront that was upgraded and revitalized for the 2000 Americas Cup challenge and the inglorious 2003 failure to retain the Louis Vuitton trophy. A little east is Queen Elizabeth II Square, and running south of the Square is Queen Street; the citys main thoroughfare, on which stands the impressive Auckland Town Hall. Queen Street eventually reaches Karangahape Road, which everyone calls K Road. Between K Road and the waterfront, is the heart of Auckland City. To the southeast is the sophisticated Parnell district, with the Auckland Museum and Auckland Domain Park, while northwest of the centre is Herne Bay and Ponsonby full of hip and happening bars and cafés.
Support for the aforementioned hedonistic outdoor lifestyle is provided by a prosperous economy, with tourism one of this countrys biggest and fastest expanding earners particularly since the film release of, and positive response to, the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Filmed in New Zealand, the movies created an advantageous knock-on effect for the citys business and finance sectors, making Auckland a city in bloom, if not entirely booming.
Tourism Auckland
Address: 287 Queen St,Auckland City
Email: reservations@aucklandnz.com
Phone: +64 (0) 9 979 2333
- Auckland Town Hall
Originally modelled on Leipzig's Gewandhaus, Auckland's Town Hall is the city's most important (and impressive) heritage building. Designed by architects J J & E Clarke, it was officially opened in 1911. It now forms one of the four constituent parts of The Edge centre, alongside the Civic Theatre, Aotea Centre and Aotea Square, Auckland's artistic powerhouse. - Auckland Civic Theatre - "The Civic"
Built in 1929 on a site always owned by the people of Auckland, the Civic Theatre - with its distinctive Indian decor, featuring elephants and Abyssynian panthers - was a movie house and live entertainment venue until the 1950s. Refurbished, it is now run as part of the Edge complex. - Mount Victoria
There are two great vantage points from which to admire the metropolis of Auckland and the array of islands and beaches that surround it. One of them is Mount Victoria, standing north of the main city and set in the rich suburb of Devonport, where many of the wealthiest Aucklands have city homes, the other is Mount Eden. The best thing about them both, at least for the more idle of us, is that you can drive all the way to the top. - Sky Tower
Sky Tower is New Zealand's leading man-made wonder. At 328 metres (over 1000 feet) it is the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere. Tall and very thin, on windy days it can sway up to one metre from side to side. Visitors can take a lift to the very top, or even jump - certainly not for the faint-hearted! - Devonport
Devonport is the smartest part of Auckland. On its own peninsula, north of the city centre, it is a colourful array of colonial-style buildings, pretty beaches and touristy, but unspoilt, shops. Visit it for a touch of class, peace and quiet, and some divine views of the Auckland skyline.
Airport Guide
Auckland International Airport
Airport Information
Country
New Zealand
Address
Auckland International Airport, PO Box 73-020, Auckland, New Zealand
Country Code
64
Telephone
(0)9 275 0789
Fax
(0)9 275 5835
admin@akl-airport.co.nz
Website
www.auckland-airport.co.nz
Location
The airport is located 21km (14 miles) south of Auckland
Time Zone
GMT + 12 (GMT + 13 from the first Sunday in October to the third Sunday in March)
Number of Terminals
3
Transfer between Terminals
A free shuttle bus runs between the terminals; alternatively, passengers can walk between the terminals.
Driving Directions
To get to the airport, take the southern motorway until the Gillies Avenue exit and then follow the airport signs.
Car Parking
There are car parks in front of each terminal. There is a secure long-term car park located 150m (164 yards) from the International Terminal, with covered and open parking available; for more information, call Parking Services (tel: (0)9 256 8527). The Skyway Storage car park provides secure undercover parking (tel: (0)9 256 7009). Valet service is available at all terminals (tel: (0)9 256 7007).
Car Hire
Companies with desks in the terminals include Avis, Budget and Hertz . RVs are available from Maui. ACE Rental and ARF Rental have booking desks on Manu Tapu Drive; a free pick-up service is available via designated contact telephones.
Public Transport
Road: Taxi: Taxi ranks are situated to the west of the International Terminal and in front of the Domestic Terminals. Shared-ride shuttle buses also serve the airport, departing from the taxi ranks. Bus: Airbus provides a bus service between the airport and city centre. There is also an airport-to-Pakuranga service. Contact Rideline (tel: (0)9 366 6400; website: www.rideline.co.nz) for further information on getting around the Auckland region by bus, train or ferry.
Information and Help Desks
The Visitors Information Centre (tel: (0)9 275 6467) is located on the ground floor of the Arrivals hall in the International Terminal and in both the Domestic Terminals, open for all flights. Blue Coat ambassadors also provide passenger assistance in the International Terminal and the Air New Zealand Domestic Terminal.
Airport Facilities
Money and communications: Banks with bureau de change facilities are located throughout the International Terminal. ATMs can be found throughout the airport. Internet kiosks and mobile phone hire are also available. Eating and drinking: There are numerous restaurants, cafés and bars at the airport, including the Jean Batten Food Court, on the first floor, with a number of speciality eateries, including an espresso bar, Asian cuisine and a sushi bar. Shopping: There are over 75 shops situated throughout the airport, including duty-free. A shopping collection service is available for returning shoppers or online purchases (website: www.aworldofshopping.co.nz). Luggage: The Collection Point offers a left-luggage facility; a left-luggage and sealing service is also available on the ground floor of the International Terminal. Lost property is handled by the airport police (tel: (0)9 275 9046). Other facilities: There is a medical centre and telephones for first aid, nurseries, a chapel, a children’s play area and playgrounds, a museum, exercycles, massage and free showers, a golf course, a mini golf, and day rooms for hire (available from The Collection Point).
Conference and Business Facilities
There are two conference rooms on the top floor of the International Terminal (tel: (0)9 256 8782) and a further three rooms in the Air New Zealand Domestic Terminal (tel: (0)9 256 8924). Laptop computer connections are available in the reading/writing area. All international airlines provide VIP lounges.
Disabled Facilities
Facilities include automatic doors, lifts, wheelchair assistance in the International Terminal, accessible toilets and showers, as well as ATMs with Braille keys. There are also disabled parking spaces in front of the terminals and in the airport car parks. Passengers requiring wheelchairs and special assistance should inform their airline prior to travel.
Airport Hotels
Hotels near the airport include the Centra Auckland Airport (tel: (0)9 275 1059), Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland Airport (tel: (0)9 275 7029) and Jet Inn (tel: (0)9 275 4100). Hotel reservations can be made at the Visitors Information Centre.
City
Auckland
Full Airport Name
Auckland International Airport
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