Auckland Car Hire

Guide to Auckland

Geography

Located in the North Island of New Zealand, Auckland occupies a narrow isthmus between Waitemata Harbour of Haruki Gulf in the east and Manukau Harbour in the southwest. The Waitakere Ranges and other smaller ranges lie to the west and northwest. The surrounding hills are covered with rainforest and the landscape is dotted with 48 volcanic cones that make up the Auckland Volcanic Field. The city of Auckland faces the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Tasman Sea on the other.

Climate

While planning your itinerary it is important to keep in mind that Auckland lies in the southern hemisphere and thus the seasons here are reversed. The peak season is during the summer months of December to March which brings bright sunny days that are ideal for outdoor activities. However, you may have to contend with huge tourist crowds as well as higher airfare and accommodation costs. To avoid this, we recommend visiting Auckland in autumn (March to May) when the temperatures hover between a balmy 17°C to 21°C, the city is awash with splendid fall colours, and there are several events – like the Auckland Arts Festival – happening.

Culture in Auckland

Auckland is home to one of the largest Polynesian populations in the world, the majority of who are the indigenous Maori tribe, although there are Polynesians from other islands in the South Pacific as well. The city was initially called ‘Tāmaki Makaurau’ by the Maori, which roughly translates to ‘the maiden desired by many lovers,’ in reference to the city’s fertile soils and rich natural resources. With the arrival of William Hobson, a British Royal Navy Officer, in 1840, the city became a British colony and was re-christened as Auckland.

Today, Auckland boasts a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population with immigrants from all over the world calling it home. This has lent the city a distinctly cosmopolitan character, where Taiwanese dimsum shops, Maori hāngi restaurants, and halal kebab eateries peacefully coexist side-by-side.

Things to Do in Auckland

Climb high at the Sky Tower

One of the most popular landmarks of Auckland is the legendary 328-metres tall Sky Tower. Zoom up to the observation deck at the top of the building to witness breathtaking panoramic vistas of the city. On a clear day, this view could stretch up to 80 km. Here, adventure enthusiasts can partake in adrenaline-charged activities like skywalking (which involves walking through the exterior 192-metre high Skywalk platform around the tower’s pergola, without handrails) and skyjumping (a daredevil act where you dive 192-metres off the Sky Tower at 85km/hr). The Sky Tower also offers a range of award-winning restaurants, bars and hotels for amazing dining experiences, such as Sugar Cube and Orbit 360.

Explore ancient caves

The Waitomo Glowworm Cave Express tour is a unique experience that will take you through an enthralling 45-minute tour of stunning limestone formations where you can watch iridescent glow worms illuminate the grotto. For an unforgettable time, we recommend pre-booking a boat ride under the opalescent glow of the little fire beetles. These pristine caves are located in Central North Island, about a couple of hours’ drive from Auckland.

Visit Waiheke Island

A 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland will take you to Waiheke Island, better known as Auckland’s ‘Island of Wine.’ As the name suggests, this gorgeous place boasts many vineyards, wineries, and, like a cherry on top, beautiful island beaches. Join a wine tasting tour or enjoy a luxuriously lazy vineyard lunch. This is, unsurprisingly, one of the top romantic things to do in Auckland. Once you’ve wined and dined to your heart’s content, get that same heart pumping with exciting outdoor activities like kayaking, jet-skiing and zip-lining on 200-metre long cables above ancient canopies of trees and lush green vineyards on Waiheke Island.

Hike volcanic mountains

On a bright weekend morning, drive down to Rangitoto Island, another popular getaway from Auckland, where there is a dormant volcano. Here, you can explore lava outcrops, volcanic highlands, and igneous rocks. The best way to experience this mountain is by taking a guided hiking tour that will take you on scenic but challenging trails and eventually deposit you at the summit, where you can soak in spectacular 360-degree views of Auckland. As the sun goes down, return to the base of the mountain and walk in any direction until you reach the waterfront and indulge in a classic kiwi-style BBQ.

Eating Out in Auckland

New Zealand’s cuisine is a blessed fusion of Maori, British, American and Asian cultures, among others. Some of the must-try items while you’re in Auckland include: Hāngi, Whitebait Fritters, Crayfish, Meat Pie, Fish and Chips, Lolly Cake, Pavlova, Rewana Bread, and Hokey Pokey Ice cream.

From pushcart street food delicacies to fine dining restaurants boasting Michelin-starred chefs, Auckland has a variety of places to eat offering fresh and innovative food options. Some of our favourites are: Cotto is known for their superb pasta, lamb ribs and goat’s cheese dumplings. Whet your appetite with crispy kumara spring rolls before moving on to tempeh pad thai at Khu Khu Eatery. Peach’s Hot Chicken serves flavour-packed chicken and waffles with whipped garlic butter and chilli maple syrup, an unusual but absolutely divine combination. The brunch menu of Onehunga Neighbourhood Eatery (ONE) consists of novel dishes like the aubergine smash and smoked kahawai rosti that make not going in for seconds near impossible. Finally, the hot cross buns topped with custard cream at Ima Cuisine deserve a special mention.

Auckland Transport

Airport

The largest and busiest airport in Auckland is Auckland International Airport (AKL).

Getting around

Most visitors travelling through New Zealand typically hire a car as it offers comfort, flexibility, and convenience. New Zealand not only has a great network of well-laid roads but the landscapes on the way are also incredibly picturesque. If you’re traveling in a large group, consider hiring a 7 seater or a 9 seater van. You can also do a one-way hire, which means that you can pick up your vehicle in one city – say Wellington – and drop it off in another – like Auckland – before flying out. This would save you the hassle of having to drive it back.