Auckland and Around Orientation

Auckland and its environs stretch across a narrow isthmus that connects Northland to the main landmass of North Island. Waitemata Harbour and the Pacific Ocean lie to the east of the city, while Manukau Harbour extends southward with the Tasman Sea to the west. SH1 (the Southern Motorway) shunts traffic up from the south, becoming the Northern Motorway north of the city and converging with SH16, which stretches west to the Waitakeres and north to Ninety Mile Beach.

Teeming with modern buildings, banks, and businessmen, Central Auckland is the commercial heart of the city. Queen Street, the main drag, runs north-south toward the water where it meets Queen Elizabeth II Square (known as QE II Square). Victoria Street, another major thoroughfare, crosses Queen St. and goes east-west from Victoria Park (the west side of town) to Albert Park (east side).

The Waterfront is at the bottom of Queen St. by Waitemata Harbour. The American Express New Zealand Cup Village, a dense tangle of bars and restaurants built for the 1999-2000 America’s Cup, fans out from Viaduct Basin near Hobson Wharf along the waterfront. Quay Street also runs along the water, while Customs Street is parallel to the water and one block inland. The Ferry Building is right off Quay St., across from QE II Sq. south of Aotea Square. Off of Queen St. lies Karangahape Road (known as K’Road), the gritty site of bass-heavy clubs. Just west of Central Auckland, K’Rd. leads to the trendy neighborhood of Ponsonby, filled with hip cafes and a substantial part of the city’s gay and lesbian community. To the east of the city center is the upscale area of Parnell, the neighborhood of old money estates and stylish boutiques. Auckland residents go to Newmarket, just south of Parnell, to do their shopping. Home to a large number of artists, Mt. Eden lies on a hill two kilometers south of the city center. Running east of Central Auckland, Quay St. turns into Tamaki Drive, which then swoops along the stunning coast. Take a look out at Orakei Basin, off Hobson Bay, at Bastion Point along the ocean, or at Mission and St. Heliers Bays—top spots for sunbathing. A short ferry ride to the north lies Devonport with its many beaches and spectacular vistas of Mt. Victoria.