Planning a Trip

There are two centrally located Auckland visitor centers: i-SITE Visitor Centre-Viaduct Basin, Princes Wharf, Quay and Hobson streets, downtown; and i-SITE Visitor Centre at the Atrium, SKYCITY Auckland, Victoria and Federal streets. Both are open daily from 8am to 8pm. They share a phone number and website (tel. 09/367-6009; www.aucklandnz.com).

The Takapuna i-SITE Visitor Centre, 49 Hurstmere Rd., Takapuna (tel. 09/486-8670; www.northshorenz.com), is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5pm; and Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays 10am to 3pm. The Devonport i-SITE Visitor Centre, 3 Victoria Rd., Devonport (tel. 09/446-0677; www.northshorenz.com), is open daily from 8:30am to 5pm. All are closed December 25. Other useful resources include the Department of Conservation Centre (tel. 09/379-6476; www.doc.govt.nz), which has information on walks, campgrounds, the gulf islands, and the national parks.

Online, you'll find endless amounts of information on Auckland at the following websites:

• www.aucklandnz.com: The home page of Tourism Auckland offers comprehensive listings of events in the Auckland region and helpful information for parents and families.
• www.maxx.co.nz: Auckland bus, ferry, and train information.
• www.aucklandcitylibraries.com: Information for parents and families.
• www.akcity.govt.nz/whatson: The Auckland City Council's guide to events in the city.
• www.northshorenz.com: Information on the North Shore.
• www.destination-waitakere.com: A source of information about the primary wine region of Auckland.
• www.manukau.govt.nz: Information on Manukau City.
• www.greatbarrier.aucklandnz.com: Information on Great Barrier Island.
• www.doc.govt.nz: The Department of Conservation's information on the national parks and marine reserves.
• www.waiheke.aucklandnzcom: Information on Waiheke Island.