| Auckland is one of two gateway cities to New | | | | Auckland city. |
| Zealand. This means most visitors start their | | | | Walking the gardens and pathways of Albert |
| holiday with at least 2-3 days in this beautiful "City | | | | Park, you will see a floral clock, a band rotunda |
| of Sails". What should you plan to do? | | | | where if you are lucky some entertainment will |
| Assuming you expect to use public transport to | | | | be happening, and the Meteorological Observatory |
| get around I suggest a pass for the Auckland | | | | which is where Auckland's weather is recorded. |
| Explorer Bus. Which allows you to get on and off | | | | You will eventually come to some steps and they |
| at the various tourist attractions. There is much | | | | will take you back down into the city. |
| you can see just walking, and a boat trip on the | | | | Day 2 - Using the Auckland Explorer Bus Pass |
| sparkling Waitemata Harbour will round off your | | | | Back at the Ferry Building, catch the Explorer bus |
| three day Auckland sightseeing beautifully. | | | | around the waterfront to Kelly Tarlton's |
| Day 1 - Auckland's Central City. | | | | Underwater world. This is a great aquarium, |
| Start down on the waterfront and wander around | | | | featuring live penguins and a South Pole display |
| the Viaduct Basin. The Maritime Museum with it's | | | | with a small train and commentary in several |
| fantastic display of boats from many Pacific | | | | languages. |
| cultures, as well as historic boats from New | | | | You may like to enjoy morning tea at Mission Bay |
| Zealand, is right on the edge of the Basin and a | | | | before taking the bus up to the Cathedral. There |
| wonderful place. Relax with a coffee at one of | | | | are two churches - one very modern with |
| the many cafes edging the water and enjoy the | | | | amazing stained glass windows recently installed - |
| harbor views. Check out the luxury boats and | | | | each telling a story. The historic white church |
| perhaps be awed by the sight of someone doing | | | | beside it is well worth a look. Moved across the |
| their Sky Tower Walk or Jump! | | | | road a few years ago, it is built totally of timber. |
| You may like to take a ferry to Devonport. Here | | | | From here you could walk or catch the bus to |
| you can wander along the waterfront and climb | | | | Auckland War Memorial Museum. There is a Maori |
| up North Head for a magnificent city view, if you | | | | concert three times daily, and the display of Maori |
| are energetic. Or just enjoy the art and craft | | | | culture is one of the best in New Zealand. |
| shops, and get the sand between your toes, | | | | Below the museum you will see some |
| before heading back to the city. | | | | glasshouses. There is a lovely display of tropical |
| Walking up Queen Street you need to turn up | | | | plants in one and cooler climate plants in the other, |
| Victoria Street to Sky Tower. Seen all over the | | | | with a small bush walk. From here you could |
| city you cannot miss it. The Tower is a great | | | | either take the interchange up Mt Eden for |
| landmark to get your bearings. Take the lift up to | | | | another wonderful view, and then on to Auckland |
| the viewing platform and enjoy extensive 360 | | | | Zoo, or take the bus to Parnell Village for some |
| degree views. If you are an adrenaline junkie you | | | | retail therapy in this interesting historic shopping |
| may be up for a Sky Jump or Sky walk. | | | | strip, before heading back into town. |
| From Sky Tower, walk down the hill to Queen | | | | For Bus information go to: Auckland Explorer Bus |
| Street and go up toward the Town Hall. Here you | | | | Day 3 - A Day trip to an Island in Auckland's |
| can have a look at the Civic theatre - a recently | | | | Hauraki Gulf |
| restored historic theatre with amazing, ornate | | | | This would be a good day to catch a ferry to |
| plaster work and detail. You may also like to look | | | | Waiheke Island. You could just ride the buses for |
| in the Aotea Concert Hall. Aotea Square has | | | | a look around the island, do a wine tour, look at |
| some interesting markets in the weekend. | | | | the Musical Instrument museum, or lie on one of |
| Down the other side of Queen Street, turn up | | | | the many lovely beaches, depending on the |
| Wellesley St to the Art Gallery where you could | | | | weather. |
| while away an hour, before going through Albert | | | | Alternatively, you may prefer to do the trip out |
| Park, above the Gallery. If you carry on a short | | | | to Rangitoto Island and either walk or take the |
| distance up Wellesley St to Princes St, turn left | | | | small train up to the top. Or if you like bird life, a |
| and wander along toward the university clock | | | | trip to Tiritiri Matangi Island - a bird sanctuary with |
| tower. You will come to a small historic Gardener's | | | | wonderful walks, and spectacular views. |
| Cottage on the edge of the park, which now | | | | You will have had a good overview and sall taste |
| houses a charming free Clock Museum gifted to | | | | of Auckland in three days with this itinerary. |