Getting Oriented

Getting Oriented

The Auckland region is geographically diverse, and Auckland City sits on an isthmus between the Waitemata and Manukau harbors. At its narrowest point the isthmus is only 1 km (½ mi) wide. The Orakei and Panmure basins are actually large explosion craters that have been invaded by the sea. Like many parts of the country, there's plenty of rural activity on the easy rolling terrain outside the central suburban areas. The many islands of the Hauraki Gulf offer the chance to explore by sea.

The drive from the airport, once you pass some industrial parks, presents the other image of New Zealand—clean and green with the landscape dominated by the city's 50 or so volcanic hills, many set aside as parks with their grassy flanks shorn by sheep. And reading the highway signs will begin to give you a taste of the unusual and sometimes hard-to-say Maori place-names.

Central Business District. Aucklanders see the central business district as beginning at the waterfront and around Queen Street.

Parnell. To the east of the city center and bounded by Newmarket and Hobson Bay, this district has a wealth of historic buildings, chic restaurants, and urban and water views. Along with Ponsonby, this is the neighborhood where you'll most likely spot someone famous—one of the many film actors who slip into Auckland or a local celebrity.

Ponsonby. Narrow streets are lined with wooden Victorian villas that were once home to the working classes and now owned by many with big mortgages and nostalgia for old buildings. Its main strip is lined with cafés, bars, and restaurants.

Karangahape Road. To the west of the center and merging with the expensive gentrified suburbs of St. Mary's Bay and Herne Bay, is Karangahape Road, or K Road, which has a colorful mix of shops and cheap eateries. What once was seedy is now quite trendy with a host of clubs for those seeking evening activity from trance and hip-hop to lip-synching gender-surfing transvestites. Auckland's gay nightclubs are around here, too.

Newmarket. This is one of the better areas for buying local and overseas designers. Nearby is the Domain—a significant city park with good walking and a range of sculpture.

Remuera. Close to the Domain is the tony suburb of Remuera where people who style themselves as "old money" like to live.

North Shore. The Auckland Harbour Bridge spans the Waitemata Harbour, connecting the city with the highway and the North Shore, where more suburbs sprawl along a coast of safe swimming beaches. Those who live "on the shore" see themselves as more relaxed than their city counterparts, and with more industry on this side of the Harbour Bridge they can work closer to home.