WHERE TO STAY IN AUCKLAND

If you are interested in where to stay in Auckland, you may also be interested in where to stay in Sydney and where to stay in Melbourne.

Central Business District, the best area to stay in Auckland

Even though this city sprawls over two harbours, including a sea and Ocean, the actual CBD is very easy to walk around and there is not much need for paying expensive and busy public transportation. The most eye-catching and iconic attraction in the city centre is the Sky Tower, which is a good indicator of where you are in the city. The structure is 328 metres tall and as said before, it is the tallest building in this part of the world and offers 80kms of superb views in each direction. There are thrills and excitement everywhere here with glass elevated lifts, allowed to SkyWalk around it as well as SkyJump off it. Also in the Sky Tower there are 20 restaurants, cafes and bars including a 360-degree revolving restaurant as well as a variety of arcade games and shops.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki is where you will find the largest permanent collection of art in the country and depicts seven centuries of national and international various pieces of work. The building itself is an award-winning landmark and there are regular international exhibitions as well as film screenings, talks and children’s activities. The Auckland War Memorial Museum is dedicated to those that lost their lives in the previous World Wars and inside the museum there are various informative exhibitions of Polynesian arts and crafts. There are also artefacts from the wars including armoury, weapons, photos, letters and lots of other objects and items, which give you an insight into what life was like during those bleak times.

The walk along the harbour front is a must, which is the start of the Coast to Coast Walkway and this can lead all the way to Manukau Harbour, where you can take in the amazing vista as well as walk through various beautiful parks and grounds including the Domain, which is the oldest park in the city. If you don’t fancy the walk then the Viaduct Harbour is a great place to look around as it is always buzzing with entertainment with lots of different street performers as well as live music, restaurants and other events. From here you could join a boat cruise around the harbour, help sail on a yacht, venture out to one of the mesmerising islands or try and spot a whale or a dolphin. You are absolutely spoilt for shopping with the best being the area around Britomart and Vulcan Lane, which both offer all the famous designer shops and there is also Karangahape Road, which is where you will find traditional and ethnic clothing and restaurants.

For eating and drinking, the selection is endless but if you have the money then make your way to the waterfront to either the Viaduct Harbour or the Wynyard Quarter. Both have excellent restaurants, which cover most cuisines but nothing beats the views that overlook the water. For cheaper budgets, try more inland places like Queen Street, which are full of bars, clubs and restaurants. The other deciding factor for staying in the CBD is the amount of hotels and backpacker hostels as virtually every street has something to offer and again the more expensive places are found closer to the water’s edge.

Hotels in Auckland CBD

Other areas to stay in Auckland

Manukau

Manukau is found to the south of the CBD and is close to the international airport, which makes it an appealing place to stay. This area also happens to be home to the largest Polynesian community in the world and there are a good number of things to see and do. For a taste of the authentic culture, visit Otara Market, which is the country’s largest street market and is where various ethnic cultures come to sell their products like fruits, jewellery, clothing, arts and crafts.

The largest theme park in the country is also found here, which is Rainbow’s End and has over 20 rides that will scare even the most confident person and provides brilliant fun for the whole family. Another ideal place is the Auckland Botanic Gardens and is where you will find over 10,000 plants and flowers. The majority of restaurants, pubs and hotels can be found on the Great South Road, where there is something for everyone.

Hotels in Manukau

Mangere

Ideally located a short bus or taxi ride from Auckland’s airport, Mangere is one of the largest city suburbs, and is undoubtedly one of the best places to stay for history enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Indeed, Mangere has a deep and fascinating Maori history, and you can learn a lot by staying here. There are several interesting museums and exhibits, including the Mangere Arts Centre, where you can learn a lot about Maori Art and culture. However, the historical highlight has to be the scenic hike up Mangere Mountain. Whilst taking in the fresh air and enjoying the panoramic city views, you can also gaze in awe at some ancient remains of Maori settlements that can be seen from the mountain.

Mangere is also home to great restaurants, a friendly and diverse local community and many hotels to stay in, whether you are on a budget or not at all.

Hotels in Mangere

Newmarket

Newmarket really is one of Auckland’s most exciting districts to stay in, particularly if you love luxury shopping and entertainment. Indeed, Newmarket is home to some of the best designer fashion stores in not only Auckland, but the whole of New Zealand! You could easily spend days here window-shopping and buying top-quality clothing at the many designer outlets here. The popular Westfield Newmarket is the best example of this, with hundreds of world-beating stores.

Apart from the shopping, Newmarket is also one of Auckland’s best entertainment areas. You can enjoy a vibrant nightlife, venues with regular live events and fun family activities. There is also a great culinary scene in Newmarket - with a range of local and international restaurants to choose from.

Newmarket is ideally located on Auckland’s main public transport route. There are numerous accommodation options- particularly well-suited to luxury travelers who are looking for upmarket hotels and suites.

Hotels in Newmarket

Parnell

Officially Auckland’s oldest suburb, Parnell makes for another perfect place to stay for luxury travelers. It is one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods, and consequently you can find a vast amount of upmarket hotels and places to stay, with excellent and comfortable facilities.

Parnell is also a dream for shoppers who love to splash their cash. The designer clothing stores, boutiques and expensive shops provide no end of opportunities for luxury shoppers. You can also enjoy dining at upmarket restaurants and cafés. Parnell is famous for its international restaurants, ranging from Asian to European and much more.

The parks in Parnell are also perfect for nature lovers. You can take a peaceful walk in the Dove Myer Robinson Park or visit the historic park known as Auckland Domain. Here, history buffs can enjoy the Auckland War Memorial Museum as well as being in awe of the ancient Maori objects.

Hotels in Parnell