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Articles > Australia & Pacific > New Zealand > Auckland > Budget Guide to Auckland
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Budget Guide to Auckland
New Zealand's biggest attractions include dramatic landscapes and extreme sports. Unfortunately experiencing these can be expensive if you are easily lured by tours and excursions. On top of that your antipodean flight may have used up a large portion of your spending money. So, if you don't have a spare €75 for the Skytower Skywalk, €65 for a kayak tour to Rangitoto Island or €70 for a bungee jump from the Auckland Bridge, there are still plenty of cheap things to do in if you know where to look.
Transport
It's easy to walk around the different parts of the city but the buses are a good alternative. Your best value ticket is an Auckland Pass which, for €11 a day, offers unlimited bus travel and also allows you to catch the ferry to Devonport. If you are travelling further afield, the one-day Getabout Auckland Discovery Pass can be bought from bus drivers for €13 and covers journeys by bus, suburban train and ferries to the north shore excluding the Gulf Islands. Visit a tourist office and pick-up free copies of the 'Getting Around Auckland' transport guides.
Shopping
Every Saturday the Otara Flea Market (6am until noon) takes over the car park of the Otara town centre. There are a few shoddy traders with poor quality contemporary designs and tourist trap trinkets but the main pull is the traditional fabrics and cheap fruit and veg. You can pick up some delicious picnic ingredients here too with home-made cakes for those with a sweet tooth along with delicious Maori breads.
Walk
You can bike, boat, drive, fly and see some fantastic scenery in New Zealand but don't forget the cheapest of transport methods: walking. The 4-hour Coast to Coast Walkway begins at the Ferry Building and finishes at Onehunga on Manukau Harbour. It offers wonderful harbour views and you can take in all of Auckland's best bits. In a full day you can cover the summit of Mount Eden, One Tree Hill, the Auckland Museum and Albert Park. You'll find information about the 13-kilometre route in the free 'Coast to Coast Walkway' leaflet which you can find at any tourist office.
Culture
The Auckland War Memorial Museum offers a fascinating insight into the story of New Zealand, the Pacific and its people. Expect both extensive Maori and Pacific collections, natural history reference material, social and military history displays as well as decorative arts collections. The museum is the only place where you can witness the haka, a Maori cultural performance by the local tribe, Mana Whenua. Admission is by donation and the haka, costing €18, is performed on a daily basis.
Area
Auckland's most historic and leafy suburb is the upmarket area of Devonport. Just a ten minute ferry ride, the waterfront offers peaceful respite from busy city-living with many large and beautiful houses. Once home to the naval station it attracted many rich merchants who in turn built grand homes for themselves and families. Many you will notice are adorned with small turrets or "widows' watches" from which wives would scan the horizon and pray for the safe return of their husbands at sea. There are plenty of bookshops to arouse your curiosity and a handful of small galleries and cafes where you can spend a few happy hours.
Eat
Karangahape Road (known to locals as K road) has a number of rather cool venues. Aside from some decent vintage clothing shops, retro furniture boutiques and second hand bookshops, St Kelvin's Arcade is also home to Alleluya Bar & Café. The large windows look out across Myer's Park with the Sky Tower and CBD's mini Manhattan in the distance. If you're looking for something more satisfying than a creamy flat white coffee or delicious home-made cakes then try some of the comfort food with a twist, scribbled up on the blackboard and all reasonably priced. The tasty Asian fusion cooking at Java Room (7/317 Parnell Road) offers main courses for about €10. There is nothing more warming on a chilly evening than an aromatic Malaysian curry.
Nightlife
It's a good idea to pick up a free copy of Tourist Times or Auckland What's On guide which has a decent listings page, especially for live music in the area. The Classic Comedy Club (321 Queen St) is good humoured value with tickets priced between €5 and €12. The Kunja Lounge (Westpac Building, 3rd Fl, 536 Queen St) hosts a number of events including live funk and soul bands amongst cosy Arabic furnishings. It's housed in the Art Deco Westpac building and located on the top floor. So, grab a cocktail and bag a window seat.
Transport
It's easy to walk around the different parts of the city but the buses are a good alternative. Your best value ticket is an Auckland Pass which, for €11 a day, offers unlimited bus travel and also allows you to catch the ferry to Devonport. If you are travelling further afield, the one-day Getabout Auckland Discovery Pass can be bought from bus drivers for €13 and covers journeys by bus, suburban train and ferries to the north shore excluding the Gulf Islands. Visit a tourist office and pick-up free copies of the 'Getting Around Auckland' transport guides.
Shopping
Every Saturday the Otara Flea Market (6am until noon) takes over the car park of the Otara town centre. There are a few shoddy traders with poor quality contemporary designs and tourist trap trinkets but the main pull is the traditional fabrics and cheap fruit and veg. You can pick up some delicious picnic ingredients here too with home-made cakes for those with a sweet tooth along with delicious Maori breads.
Walk
You can bike, boat, drive, fly and see some fantastic scenery in New Zealand but don't forget the cheapest of transport methods: walking. The 4-hour Coast to Coast Walkway begins at the Ferry Building and finishes at Onehunga on Manukau Harbour. It offers wonderful harbour views and you can take in all of Auckland's best bits. In a full day you can cover the summit of Mount Eden, One Tree Hill, the Auckland Museum and Albert Park. You'll find information about the 13-kilometre route in the free 'Coast to Coast Walkway' leaflet which you can find at any tourist office.
Culture
The Auckland War Memorial Museum offers a fascinating insight into the story of New Zealand, the Pacific and its people. Expect both extensive Maori and Pacific collections, natural history reference material, social and military history displays as well as decorative arts collections. The museum is the only place where you can witness the haka, a Maori cultural performance by the local tribe, Mana Whenua. Admission is by donation and the haka, costing €18, is performed on a daily basis.
Area
Auckland's most historic and leafy suburb is the upmarket area of Devonport. Just a ten minute ferry ride, the waterfront offers peaceful respite from busy city-living with many large and beautiful houses. Once home to the naval station it attracted many rich merchants who in turn built grand homes for themselves and families. Many you will notice are adorned with small turrets or "widows' watches" from which wives would scan the horizon and pray for the safe return of their husbands at sea. There are plenty of bookshops to arouse your curiosity and a handful of small galleries and cafes where you can spend a few happy hours.
Eat
Karangahape Road (known to locals as K road) has a number of rather cool venues. Aside from some decent vintage clothing shops, retro furniture boutiques and second hand bookshops, St Kelvin's Arcade is also home to Alleluya Bar & Café. The large windows look out across Myer's Park with the Sky Tower and CBD's mini Manhattan in the distance. If you're looking for something more satisfying than a creamy flat white coffee or delicious home-made cakes then try some of the comfort food with a twist, scribbled up on the blackboard and all reasonably priced. The tasty Asian fusion cooking at Java Room (7/317 Parnell Road) offers main courses for about €10. There is nothing more warming on a chilly evening than an aromatic Malaysian curry.
Nightlife
It's a good idea to pick up a free copy of Tourist Times or Auckland What's On guide which has a decent listings page, especially for live music in the area. The Classic Comedy Club (321 Queen St) is good humoured value with tickets priced between €5 and €12. The Kunja Lounge (Westpac Building, 3rd Fl, 536 Queen St) hosts a number of events including live funk and soul bands amongst cosy Arabic furnishings. It's housed in the Art Deco Westpac building and located on the top floor. So, grab a cocktail and bag a window seat.
About the Author
Madeleine Wilson is a travel writer and specialises in budget travel. She writes for HostelBookers where you can book
hostels in Auckland
hostels in Auckland
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Article rating: none yet
Number of votes: 0
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