Greater Auckland is actually a fusion of four cities -- Auckland, Manukau, North Shore, and Waitakere. Each is on a motorway network, which crosses the harbor, rivers, creeks, and bays and carries the thousands who commute into the Inner City to work. You can pick up a city map at the visitor center, but the Automobile Association (tel. 0800/500-213 in NZ) has a better one.
Main Arteries & Streets -- The main street is Queen Street, which ends in Queen Elizabeth Square at Customs Street. Quay Street runs along the Waitemata Harbour. At the top end of Queen Street is Karangahape Road (usually called "K'Road"), a mere 2km (1 1/4 miles) from Quay Street. Within that area you'll find most of the city's shops, restaurants, nightspots, major hotels, and bus, rail, and air terminals. The most popular Inner City suburbs with the best restaurants are Parnell and Ponsonby. Newmarket is favored for clothes and shoe shopping.
