Why stay in Auckland?

photo: stewartbaird
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, and where most visitors will enter this small and extremely green country. It's a very urban area, which is an interesting contrast to much of the rest of the country. Sitting on the Watimata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf, it's also quite picturesque all on its own.
Auckland's Sky Tower, the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere, is a good place to get a view of the whole city. If you've got an adventurous spirit (or a death wish, you pick), you can also do a Sky Jump - a controlled base jump from over 190 meters up on the tower. You can also climb the Auckland Harbour Bridge if the jump wasn't enough for you. Less heart attack-inducing activities include a visit to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which isn't just a war museum - it's a great general museum with some nice examples of traditional Maori art. There is also the Auckland Art Gallery, the Auckland Zoo and the StarDome Observatory (which includes some Maori archaeological sites). If you're curious about Maori culture, you can sign up for a day tour to learn more about New Zealand's native people.
There are plenty of hostels in Auckland, so you can be a little more picky about where you stay. Just keep in mind that "hostels" are not just for young backpackers (even if the property has the word "backpacker" in the name!) - they're just the thing for any budget traveler who's interested in being social and meeting other travelers. A few noteworthy Auckland hostels are highlighted below.
City Garden Lodge is close to the city center, but in a quiet neighborhood. Lantana Lodge International Backpackers is a ten minute walk to the city center and five minutes from many of Auckland's bars, restaurants and shops.
Bamber House is in a large colonial home on the slopes of Mt. Eden, and has private double and twin rooms or dorms sleeping three to six people each. BK Hostel is in the central part of the city, a one minute walk from shops, bars, eateries and other necessities.
If none of these hostels sounds like it's ideal for you, that's nothing to worry about. There are other Auckland hostels listed here which you can choose from. Just keep browsing the descriptions until you find the one that matches your criteria.
What else do you need for your trip? No matter what it is, we can help you find it. You can look for the best deals on international airfare to Auckland and book your ticket now. You can also learn more about the city in our Auckland Travel Guide.