| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in Auckland |
Auckland is New Zealand's biggest city and is home to most of the
country's growing list of professional sporting
teams. The city is known as the 'City of Sails' - being located on
one of the nicest harbours in the world, which gives Auckland a distinctive
nautical feel. Auckland has been home to the America's Cup yacht racing
challenges, of which NZ are currently the holders. The
other major characteristic of Auckland is the volcanic formations and
hills that punctuate the City and its surrounds, as well as the dozens of
islands that are dotted throughout Hauraki Gulf.
Everyone recommends the highly rated Auckland Museum Te Papa Whakahiku, which houses an impressive collection of art and culture of Maori and Pacific Islanders and also includes daily Maori cultural performances. The museum is housed in a distinctive building located in Auckland Domain, the large park that adjoins the southern section of the City Centre. It is worth visiting the Skytower complex in the City - it contains a 24-hour casino, revolving restaurant and several cafes and bars. The Skytower itself is New Zealand's tallest structure and provides an observation deck for great views of the City and the harbour. As with most large cities, there is always a great restaurant and cafe district to visit and Auckland is no different. The best are to the west of the City Centre, namely the districts of Ponsonby and the upmarket Herne Bay. |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to Auckland From USA
|
Auckland International Airport is located about 20km south-west of the City Centre and is accessible to the Centre by the Airbus that operates to and from the Airport. Auckland's public transport system is a mix of rail, buses (the Link) and ferries. The rail system (Tranz metro) will get you to most of the region's attractions and sporting facilities listed below. |
|
NRL NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS |
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| SUPER
12 RUGBY
AUCKLAND BLUES |
The Auckland Blues were the inaugural winner of the Super 12 competition in 1996, beating South Africa’s Sharks at Eden Park. They followed this up with another title in 1997 against the ACT Brumbies and a losing finalist position against south island rivals the Canterbury Crusaders in 1998. These results only confirmed Auckland’s long held reputation as one of the strongest provincial teams in the world. Since then, however, the spread of talent across New Zealand has seen this powerful reputation somewhat diminish and they haven’t qualified for the semi-finals since. |
| NSL
FOOTBALL KINGZ |
The Auckland based Football Kingz continued the addition of NZ teams to Australian sporting competitions in 1999/2000. Although in their first two years they got close to making the playoffs, the Kingz really dropped off the pace in their third year by finishing last. |
| NBA
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS Ticket information through NZ Breakers
|
The New Zealand Breakers are the new team in the Australian National Basketball League is considered to be long overdue. The New Zealand national team has become increasingly competitive in its matches against Australia and now there are two New Zealanders playing in the US NBA (Kirk Penney and Sean Marks). The first match for the Breakers took place on October 2, 2003 and they started with a fairytale win. |
| ERICSSON STADIUM |
Ericsson Stadium hosts the NRL Warriors and the NSL Football Kinz and is located on the corner of Church Street and Maurice Road in Penrose, which is some 10km south-east of the City Centre. The Stadium has now been upgraded as an all-seated facility that holds just over 22,000. Auckland’s Tranz Metro train system provides a rail service from Auckland Train Station in the City Centre (Ronayne Street/The Strand) to a temporary Ericsson Stadium Station on the South Line which is set up for major events. The Station is located at the junction of Station Road and Maurice Road. Just walk south along Maurice Road to the entrance of the Stadium. |
| EDEN PARK |
Eden Park is the largest stadium in the country and has been the historical home of New Zealand Rugby Union and International Cricket since the early part of the 1900’s. Eden Park is located off Reimers Avenue in Kingsland, which is only about 3km to the south-west of the City Centre. Eden Park has been upgraded over the years to its current capacity of approximately 50,000. From Auckland Train Station take the West Line to Kingsland Train Station. From there take the northern exit on New North Road then walk west along it until you reach Sandringham Road then walk south along it until you reach the Stadium. |
| NORTH SHORE EVENTS CENTRE |
The North
Shore Events Centre is the new home of the Breakers NBA Team. With a
capacity of 4,500, the Centre is the home of Auckland basketball and the
largest indoor centre in the harbour region.
The Centre is located in North Shore City off Sunnybrae Road (just of the Northern Freeway), some 8km north of the City Centre across the Auckland Bridge. This part of Auckland is somewhat remote from the transit network. From the City, you can take Stagecoach Bus Route 905 to Glenfield via Wairua Park but no services run at night. Therefore, the best bet might be to take the relatively short cab ride over the bridge from the City. |
| GOLF
NEW ZEALAND OPEN, AUCKLAND GOLF CLUB Ticket information to come |
The New Zealand Open is held at Auckland Golf Club in mid January and is located in the suburb of Otahutu, which is some 20km south of the City Centre towards Auckland Airport. From Auckland Station in the City Centre, take the South or Eastern Suburb Line to Mangere Station and exit the eastern side onto Hospital Road. Walk a small distance south down Hospital Road to the course entrance. |
| TENNIS
ATP HEINEKEN CLASSIC, ASB BANK TENNIS CENTRE Ticket information to come |
The Heineken Classic is held at the ASB Bank Tennis Centre in early January and is located in the Auckland Domain, which is the large expanse of green space to the south of the City Centre, and just to the south of Auckland Station. From Auckland Station, just walk south along Beach Road then Churchill Street until you reach Stanley Street which eventually leads you to the Tennis Centre. |
| TENNIS
THE WTA ASB CLASSIC, ASB TENNIS CENTRE Ticket information to come |
The WTA
ASB Classic is held at the ASB Bank Tennis Centre in early January. |
| HORSE
RACING
ELLERSLIE RACECOURSE Tickets available at course
|
Ellerslie Racecourse is the main Auckland racetrack and is home of the Auckland Cup and the Mercedes Derby and is located on the corner of Ladies Mile and Peach Parade, Ellerslie, which is about 6km south-east of the City Centre. From Auckland Station, you can take the South Line to Greenlane Station, which is located across the road from the Racecourse. |
| HORSE
RACING
AVONDALE RACECOURSE Tickets available at course
|
Avondale Racecourse is
the home of the Avondale Cup but only races 14 times over the year. It is
located off Ash Street in Avondale, which is some 10km south-west of the
City Centre. From Auckland Station take the West Line to Avondale Station
and then walk west along Rosedale Road until you reach Elm Street, which
leads you to the entrance of Avondale Racecourse. |
| MOTOR
RACING
V8 SUPERCAR INTERNATIONAL, PUKEKOHE RACECOURSE Ticket information from V8 Supercars
|
The V8 Supercar International is held at Pukekohe Park Raceway (part of the Pukekohe Racecourse) in early November and is located in the town of Pukekohe, which is some 40km to the south of Auckland. It is directly accessible to Auckland by public transport. There is usually a special train service on Race Day between Auckland Railway Station and the temporary station at the Racetrack. |
| ATHLETICS
NEW ZEALAND TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ERICSSON STADIUM Ticket information to come |
The New
Zealand Track and Field Championships are held at Ericcson Stadium in
early March. Follow the same directions
as listed above for Ericsson Stadium |
