Just a three-hour flight from many major Australian cities, Auckland is a fantastic destination for your next New Zealand holiday.
It’s true when they say that there is nothing quite like flying over the iconic Auckland skyline as you descend into the airport. It’s one of the most famous skylines globally, thanks to the Sky Tower sitting metres above the rest of the buildings.
Auckland is the perfect city break – you could even fly across the Tasman for a long weekend and indulge yourself in some of the best offerings that this city has to offer. Or, use Auckland as a starting point to finally explore the rest of New Zealand. As one of the more northern cities in the country, it’s the perfect entry point to a Kiwi adventure.
The easiest way to explore Auckland and beyond is with a rental car. Thankfully, the Hertz Auckland Airport is easy to find and you’ll soon be on the road soaking up everything New Zealand has to offer.
Explore the City of Auckland with Hertz
Auckland is a fantastic city to explore.
The ‘City of Sails’ has a waterfront reminiscent of Sydney. The rich maritime history is evident throughout the city, and the harbour is the focal point. This city has twin harbours, which you can admire in all their glory as you take a stroll and perhaps a bite to eat along the waterfront. There are many restaurants, cafes, and bars that line the streets here, with a multitude of cuisines that pay homage to the heritage and history of the country itself. Take your pick and delight in the delicious flavours.
Once you’ve finished exploring the waterfront, it might be time to trade a harbour for the beach. Auckland has many gorgeous beaches in and around the city limits. The most famous of them all is Piha – you probably have heard of it, as it is the birthplace of New Zealand surfing. The stunning beach is black sand, with a wild and rugged headland surrounding it. Taking centre stage is Lion’s Head. It’s certainly very different from the beaches we have in Australia, but it's incredibly beautiful nonetheless.
There are plenty of beaches with different surf levels, sand types, and scenery. One of the favourites for locals and tourists alike is Orewa. It’s a popular holiday spot for New Zealanders, so you’ll be in great company if you decide to visit here.
Once you’ve explored the beaches and the water, it’s time to head to new heights. Drive across the city and head up the Sky Tower to view Auckland as you’ve never seen it before. Standing at 328 metres high, you can see Auckland and beyond on a sunny, clear day, and it is well worth a visit if you’ve not been to the city before!
Drive out of Auckland in your Rental Car
The great thing about Auckland is that it is close to some incredible destinations.
Why not drive north out of Auckland and head up to the tropical Northland? With towns like Paihia and Whangarei, the Northland region is full of beautiful blue ocean waters, tropical bushland, and some of the best diving sites in the world. And there are some spots of significant historical and cultural significance, like Cape Reinga and Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed and effectively formed modern-day New Zealand.
You can explore all that Auckland and the north of New Zealand have to offer before heading back down south. Whether you go on to explore the rest of the two islands or fly back across the Tasman after your city break, you will have the opportunity to do it all, with your Hertz rental car.
