New Zealand (Auckland, North Island) March/April 2016

Total Costs Incurred (6 days) : NZ284.15

Hostel (5 nights): NZ$160 (dorms)
Entrance fee: NZ$25 (War Memorial Museum)
Bus: NZ$19 Auckland > Rotorua (Naked Bus)
Airport Sky Bus : NZ16 x 2
Food: NZ$48.15

Auckland is the largest city in NZ with a population of 1.5 million. Malaysia low cost airliner, Air Asia now flies from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland (via a transit in Gold Coast). I spent a total of 5 nights in Auckland (2 on arrival & 3 nights prior to departure for home). Auckland has many attractions & island visits for tourists to spend their time in exploring the city & the offshore places. 

Using the local public transport, I was able to visit Mt Eden & Mission Bay. Auckland harbor front, Queen's Wharf, Princes Wharf, Viaduct Basin & Wynyard Quarter are all within walking distance from the iconic Ferry Building & the nearby Queen Street shopping area. As the timing of my arrival coincided with a Saturday weekend, I was able to join the locals enjoying a pop music performance & a Saturday morning market at the Viaduct Basin area. Also my visit to the Auckland fish market was an interesting one ! From the city center, I took a slow walk to the Auckland Domain & War Memorial Museum and spent sometime inside the museum to appreciate the various exhibits on display. 

For two consecutive nights, I took an evening stroll to the Sky Tower, the Auckland harbor & waterfront areas passing the Queen street to get a feel of the surrounding environment and to admire the night scenery & also to enjoy the sea breeze and the fresh cool weather at this time of the year. 

I had a great start for my first two nights in Auckland and upon my return from the South Island, I spent another three more nights in Auckland - this time was more relaxed and stress free after roaming the North & South islands for three weeks ... another mission accomplished ! 

1) Auckland > Rotorua (Bus), North Island, NZ

My 1st Bus ride - Mana Bus (Naked Bus consortium) departing Quay Street, opposite the Ferry Building, Auckland to Rotorua Information Centre, Fenton St, Rotorua (08.00>11.40) - 228km

The bus made a brief stop to pick up & drop off passengers in Hamilton.

You could also consider taking a tourist train - Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellingtion passing Hamilton, National Park , Palmerston before arriving Wellington.

A double decker bus - Auckland > Rotorua

Sky Tower, Auckland, North Island, NZ

Sky City, Auckland

Auckland Town Hall

Aotea Centre, Auckland

Aotea Square, Auckland

Downtown & Ferry Terminal, Auckland

Britomart Transport Centre, Auckland - the main downtown public transport centre in a historic Edwardian building; I took a town bus from here to Mt Eden & Mission Bay. 

Ferry Building, Auckland - an important landmark

Auckland Civic Theatre - an internationally heritage theatre built in 1929 & renovated in 2000

Queens Wharf, Auckland

Auckland by Night, North Island, NZ

Princes Wharf, Auckland

New Zealand Maritime Museum, Auckland

Queen Street, Auckland - the premier shopping area

Upper Queen Street, Auckland

The Strand Arcade, Auckland

Auckland Art Gallery

St Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland

The University of Auckland Clock Tower (1926)

Albert Park, Auckland

Harbor Bridge - connecting Central Auckland & the North shore

Viadut Basin - a marina & residential development in downtown Auckland, the venue for the America's cup regattas in 2000 & 2003

Family Day & Weekend Market (Saturday) at Viaduct Basin, Auckland

Auckland War Memorial Museum (admission fee NZ$25)

Auckland Domain

Wynyard Quarter, Auckland

Auckland Fish Market

Mt Eden, Auckland - take a bus from Britomart Transport Centre > Mt Eden (NZ$2.50 x 2)

Mission Bay, Auckland - took a bus ride from Britomart Transport Centre > Mission Bay (NZ$4.50 x 2)

The Attic Backpackers, Wellesley Street, Auckland