Getting to Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and international air hub. It is located in the north of the North Island. With a population of 1.4 million, Auckland is a melting pot of European, Asian and Polynesian cultures.

BY AIR: Auckland International Airport is New Zealand's major international air hub. Direct flights arrive in Auckland from: Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Apia, Tonga, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Tahiti, Port Villa, Noumea, Niue, Tokyo, Rarotonga, Norfolk Island, Suva, Nadi, Bangkok, Taipei, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Osaka, Buenos Aires and Santiago.

International Airlines flying to Auckland are: Air New Zealand, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Canada, Air Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Vanuatu, Aircalin, American Airlines, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch, Korean Air, Lan Chile, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Mexicana, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, Qantas, Royal Brunei Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and United Airlines.

Frequent domestic flights are operated by Qantas, Air New Zealand and Pacific Blue.

BY ROAD:

ROTORUA TO AUCKLAND: Head west on State Highway 5 for around 45kms. Follow State Highway 1 for approximately 2kms, before joining State Highway 27 at Tirau. Follow State Highway 27 for 97kms, before joining State Highway 2 at Mangatarata. Continue on State Highway 2 for 37kms, where you will then join Great South Road and the Southern Highway. Continue along the Southern Highway to Auckland.

Driving Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

WELLINGTON TO AUCKLAND (via Hamilton): In Wellington join the Wellington Urban Motorway and head northeast out of the city to the Johnsonville Porirua Motorway. North of Porirua continue north on State Highway 1, passing through Paraparaumu and Foxton. At Bulls take State Highway 3 to Wanganui. Follow Riverbank Road through Wanganui (to the north) and join State Highway 4. Follow State Highway 4 past Tongariro National Park, and through Taumarunui. At Eight Mile Junction turn right onto State Highway 3. Follow State Highway 3 through Otorohanga and Te Awamutu, to Hamilton. At Hamilton join State Highway 1 and follow the motorway into Auckland.

Driving Time: 9 hours 10 minutes

CHRISTCHURCH TO AUCKLAND: Follow State Highway 1 north out of Christchurch. Continue along State Highway 1 roughly 335kms, through Amberley, Cheviot, Kaikoura and Blenheim. At Picton take the Interisland Ferry to Wellington.

From Wellington join the Wellington Urban Motorway and head northeast out of the city to the Johnsonville Porirua Motorway. North of Porirua continue north on State Highway 1, passing through Paraparaumu and Foxton. At Bulls take State Highway 3 to Wanganui. Follow Riverbank Road through Wanganui (to the north) and join State Highway 4. Follow State Highway 4 past Tongariro National Park, and through Taumarunui. At Eight Mile Junction turn right onto State Highway 3. Follow State Highway 3 through Otorohanga and Te Awamutu, to Hamilton. At Hamilton join State Highway 1 and follow the motorway into Auckland.

Driving Times: Christchurch - Picton 4 hours 30 minutes; Picton - Wellington (ferry) 3 hours; Wellington to Auckland: 9 hours 10 minutes