Auckland

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© Scott Venning/Visit New Zealand

Piha Beach in Auckland.

Why visit Auckland

Paris may be the city of love, but Auckland is the city of many lovers, according to its Māori name, Tāmaki Makaurau. Those lovers so desired this place that they fought over it for centuries.

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Ultimate New Zealand: Cross-Country Adventure in 13 Days

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  1. 1 Soaring over Rotorua's thermal lakes and geothermal gems on an electrifying floatplane
  2. 2 Whale watching and fur seal-spotting from up above on a Kaikōura sightseeing flight
  3. 3 Inhabiting the fantastical fiction of Middle Earth with a Hobbiton set visit
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Top places to visit in Auckland

Discover the best attractions in Auckland from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

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Travel Guides

Auckland travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

With a thriving social scene alongside beaches and literal volcanoes, Auckland is quite the destination. Here are the best things to do when you arrive.

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Best Time to Visit

New Zealand's biggest city is a year-round destination with a regular schedule of events. Plan your visit with this seasonal guide.

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Things to Know

Follow these tips on health, safety, etiquette and the local language with this first-timer's guide to visiting Auckland.

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Transportation

Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city, with a jigsaw of different forms of transport. Here are the best ways to get around Auckland.

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Day Trips

Experience local history, Māori culture, outdoor adventure, quality food and drink, and plenty more on these amazing day trips from Auckland.

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Money and Costs

How to visit Auckland, New Zealand when you haven't got an awful lot to spend.

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Traveling with Kids

New Zealand’s biggest city feels suburban and offers active, affordable family days out by the bucket load. Here's how to visit with kids.

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