Auckland

The facts

• largest city in New Zealand
• population of around 1.5 million
• vibrant cosmopolitan city
• important educational centre, with two universities and many other educational institutions
• excellent quality of life (ranked 3rd in the world in the 2011 Mercer Quality of Living Survey)
• safe (ranked 9th equal in the world with Wellington in Mercer's Personal Safety Ranking)
• economical (2010 Mercer Worldwide Cost of Living Survey ranked Auckland 149th out of the 214 cities surveyed. 1 = most expensive, 214 = least expensive)
• known as the "City of Sails" because of the large number of boats per capita

Climate

Things to do in Auckland

 Auckland offers you...

• islands, beaches and parks
• international restaurants, bars and nightclubs
• adventure activities
• cultural events, including live music and open-air shows
• art galleries, museums, theatres and cinemas
• great variety in shopping
• an ideal place to relax 

Active Auckland

• bungy jump off the Sky Tower
• climb the Auckland Harbour Bridge
• go sailing, kayaking, swimming or learn to dive
• cycle, rollerblade, jog or walk along the beach front on Tamaki Drive and admire the view
• try hang gliding or sky diving

Urban Auckland

• experience the Ponsonby café scene
• sample the nightlife - try the restaurants, bars and nightclubs at the Viaduct Harbour, Ponsonby Road, K Road, Parnell and Kingsland
• go shopping in Newmarket or find a bargain at Dressmart

Relaxing in Auckland

• go on a harbour cruise
• go swimming or lie one of the beaches on the North Shore
• have a picnic in one of the many city parks
• get up close to penguins, sharks and stingrays at Kelly Tarlton's Antartic Encounter and Underwater World
  

Explore the North Island

We can help you organize trips around the North Island. We offer great day and weekend tours with our local guides.  Auckland is the gateway to the North Island and the ideal starting point for trips to....

Around Auckland (day trips)

• Enjoy wild west coast beaches like Piha and Muriwai
• Visit an island like Waiheke or Rangitoto
• See the glow worms at Waitomo caves
• Go snorkeling at the Goat Island Marine Reserve

• Bay of Islands
• Coromandel peninsula
• Napier (famous for its Art Deco architecture)
• Hawkes Bay Wine Country
• Raglan (popular with surfers)
• Mt.Ruapehu (for skiing, snowboarding or hiking)
• Rotorua
• Taupo

To find out the best places to eat, shop, visit and enjoy near Languages International Auckland, see the Insiders’ Guide.  In the guide, well-known Aucklanders share their local knowledge with you, showing you where you can find the best food, fashion, bars, art and other attractions in the downtown area.  It is available in a few formats: download the app for your iPhone, iPad or Android device, or read the eBook version online. 

Another good source of information is www.aucklandnz.com.