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Auckland
About Auckland
Auckland Race Village is now CLOSED
For more information, visit the Auckland Stopover website www.volvooceanraceauckland.com.
Auckland race village will be open from March 8 - 18, 2012
The Race Village is located at the Viaduct Basin - See the location here
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Auckland Race Weekend
- Friday March 16, 1200 local (2300 UTC March 15) Pro-Am Race (download the course map here)
- Saturday March 17, 1400 (0100 UTC) Auckland In-Port Race (download the course map here)
- Sunday March 18, 1400 (0100 UTC) - Leg 5 start to Itajaí (download Inner course & Outer course maps)
Key Dates
- Thursday March 8 - Race Village Opens
- Friday March 9-11 - Try Sailing (public)
- Saturday March 10-11 - Volvo Ocean Race Academy team racing
- Saturday March 10 - Beach clean
- Sunday March 11 - Environmental Art Workshop
- Monday March 12 - Meet Skelton Sea
- Wednesday March 14 - Meet Skelton Sea
- Friday March 16 - Pro-Am Race
- Friday March 16 - Try Sailing (public)
- Friday March 16 - Environmental Art Workshop
- Saturday March 17 - In-Port Race
- Saturday March 17 - Environmental Art Workshop
- Saturday March 17 - Presentation by seabird experts
- Sunday March 18 - Leg 5 start to Itajaí
For more information on all the above and more please visit: Auckland host port page, Keep the Oceans Clean!, Volvo Ocean Race Academy.
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It’s the City of Sails, which says it all really. The Maritime Industry Association illustrated the point rather well, revealing in 2006 that the city, which has hosted two America 's Cups and seven stopovers in this race’s history, is home to 135,000 “proper boats” and 60,500 yachtsmen. In context, the city’s population is a shade more than 1.4 million, supporting the popular feeling that Auckland is the sailing capital of the world.
The city’s geography and climate make it the perfect spot for sailing, while the great bars, restaurants and atmosphere do little to deter the salty sea hounds. In short, a wonderful place that is sure to be welcomed back to the fold by the race’s huge Kiwi contingent (not least because it avoids a re-run of the China-Brazil leg).
For fans chasing a little more diversity in their sport, the cricket and rugby scene here is also healthy. The race’s visit coincides with the southern hemisphere’s Super 14 season, arguably the world’s best rugby union club competition in which one of the city’s teams, the Blues, are typically among the strongest taking part. The stopover will also overlap with the Round the Bays Fun Run, which is an 8.4-kilometre dash that follows the contours of Auckland 's Waitemata Harbour and finishes on the waterfront at St Heliers Bay. Running is a pretty dull way to pass the time but the sight of 70,000 others doing it is quite spectacular.
There are many more non-sporting components that give Auckland its appeal. In 2009 the Mercer Quality of Living Survey ranked the city fourth in the world, while The Economist’s World’s Most Livable Cities list also put Auckland in its top 10. As a cultural venture, a trip to Auckland is also very worthwhile. It is the multi-cultural hub of New Zealand, with Maori, Pacific Islander and Asian communities added to a core of European descendants and the largest Polynesian population in the world.
Statistics aside, the city, and country as a whole, is made up of beautiful scenery. You will never take better photographs.
Did you know: In 2006, the New Zealand Herald conducted a survey in response to the Chamber of Commerce’s claim that the “City of Sails” slogan did not represent the region. Of 400 people polled 92% insisted that the slogan should not be changed.
Things to do in Auckland
For more information about Auckland, visit www.aucklandnz.com/.
Auckland sprawls over a narrow isthmus between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours. A cloak of rainforest covers the surrounding hills, dozens of dormant volcanic cones dot the landscape and enchanting holiday islands are scattered throughout the vast Hauraki Gulf. Two of the best island getaways are Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island
Wherever you stay in Auckland, you're never far from breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, invigorating walks, idyllic holiday islands, outstanding food and wine, great shopping and exciting nightlife.
Some of Auckland's highlights:
Rangitoto Island
Walk or ride to the summit of Rangitoto, the lava rock sleeping volcano in the middle of the Hauraki Gulf. Take the ferry from downtown Auckland and explore at your leisure or take a guided tour.
Island escapes
Enjoy wine and olive tasting, lazing on the beach and art trails on laid back Waiheke Island, a 35 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. Or escape to the wilderness of Great Barrier Island, with bush tracks leading to natural hot springs and historic kauri tree dams.
On the water
Take a cruise on a chartered launch or classic yacht on the Waitemata Harbour. Or go racing on an America's Cup yacht, take a dolphin-spotting excursion or a gentle ferry ride to a seaside suburb.
Culture & heritage
See the biggest collection of Maori taonga (treasures) in the world at Auckland War Memorial Museum, and see a performance of traditional Maori songs and dances.
Waitakere Ranges
The Arataki Visitor Centre is the starting point for a range of walking tracks in the Waitakere Ranges, giving you the opportunity to discover the spectacular native flora and fauna of the region. The beaches in this area are renowned for their black sand and wild water, all popular for surfing, swimming and fishing.
More information is available on www.aucklandnz.com.
Secondary Content
Local Info
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By Car
It is often easier and cheaper to hire a car instead of using taxis, simply because the city is so large and spread out.
The three main motorway systems running through Auckland are the Northern Motorway (from Orewa to the Central Motorway Junction (CMJ), the Southern Motorway (from the CMJ past Bombay Hills, where it merges to the Waikato Expressway), and the Northwestern Motorway (from Auckland Port through CMJ to Westgate). These motorways clog up during the morning rush in the CBD-bound direction, and the same thing happens in the opposite direction during the evening rush.
By Bus
The main long-distance bus company in Auckland, as for the rest of NZ, is InterCity www.intercity.co.nz and its travel and sightseeing arm Newmans Coach Lines www.newmanscoach.co.nz.
The bus network spreads across the region with many of the services going to an from the city centre. Timetables and journey planners are availble on www.maxx.co.nz.
Its buses go to almost all bigger towns and the main tourist areas. Services leave from the Sky City Coach Terminal (102 Hobson St).
By Train
Trains arrive at and depart from Britomart station, the largest underground diesel train station in the world.
The Overlander runs between Wellington and Auckland. Details of the service are available at www.tranzscenic.co.nz.
The regional train service extends to the west, east and south of the central city. Timetables and journey planners are available on www.maxx.co.nz.
By Plane
Auckland International Airport www.auckland-airport.co.nz is 21km south of the city centre and is the main airport for New Zealand. The international and domestic terminals are connected by a free inter-terminal bus and a signposted 1km walkway. Both terminals have visitor information centres. Various shuttle and taxi operators are licensed by the airport and meet all flights, including the city-airport Airbus route.
