AUCKLAND
's urban sprawl completely smothers the North Island's wasp waist, a narrow isthmus where the island is all but severed by river estuaries probing inland from the city's two harbours. To the west, the shallow and silted
Manukau Harbour
opens out onto the Tasman Sea at a rare break in the long string of black-sand beaches continually pounded by heavy surf. Maori named the eastern anchorage the
Waitemata Harbour
for its "sparkling waters", which constitute Auckland's deep water port and a focus for the heart of the city. Every summer weekend the harbour and adjoining Hauraki Gulf explode into a riot of brightly-coloured sails.
Arrival And Information :
As New Zealand's major gateway city, Auckland receives the bulk of
international arrivals
, a few disembarking from stately cruise ships at the dock by the Ferry Building, but the vast majority arriving by air.
Auckland International Airport
(tel 09/275 0789) is located 20km south of the city centre in the suburb of Mangere. The international terminal is connected to two domestic terminals - one operated by Air NZ, the other by Ansett NZ - by a shuttle bus (every 15min) but if you've a light load it is only a ten-minute walk. Before leaving the international terminal you can grab a free shower (in most toilets; towels $5), and if you've got a few hours to kill there are even single and double day rooms ($30/40 for up to 4 hours, $40/50 for longer) with bed, shower, TV and tea and coffee making facilities. The well-stocked and helpful
visitor centre
(tel 09/275 6467) stays open for all international arrivals and will book you into a city hotel free of charge, or you can make use of the bank of courtesy phones nearby. There's also a branch of the BNZ
bank
which changes money at poor rates, and some
duty-free shops
, where inbound passengers can top up their quota.
More Auckland information... |
Call toll free..
US and Canada: 1-800-780-5733
Europe: 00-800-11-20-11-40
Use discount code: 89865
