After arriving in Auckland at 5am from Melbourne, there is no time to waste, as we have a hectic schedule ahead.
DEVONPORT
A short ferry ride from the Auckland Waterfront, or a 25-minute drive along State Highway 1, is the charming village of Devonport. Officially a suburb of Auckland, Devonport is a town in its own right, and the ambience here is much different than anywhere else in Auckland. There is a distinct laid back touristy feel, where you can enjoy Victorian High Tea, or step back in time and explore the many fine Victorian buildings. The town is known for its boutique shops, art galleries and great cafés. Mount Victoria Lookout and North Head Historic Reserve offer panoramic views of Auckland and the harbour. Situated near the Historic Reserve, right on the foreshore, is the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum (64 King Edward Parade. +64-9-445 5186. Free. Open 7 days. 10am-5pm. Closed 25 & 26 Dec and Good Friday), where you can find out more about New Zealand’s navy.
AUCKLAND DOMAIN
One of the city’s wonderful green spaces is the Auckland Domain, Auckland’s oldest park and one of the largest. Created during the 1840’s the park covers an area of 75 hectares/185 acres, and sits in the crater of an extinct volcano. There are many walkways that crisscross the park, with picturesque duck ponds, and attractions within the domain include the heritage listed Auckland War Memorial Museum (see Attractions) and Cenotaph, and the marvellous Domain Wintergardens (+64-9-301 0101. Free. Open 7 days. Apr-Oct 9am-4:30pm, Nov-Mar Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm, Sun 9am-7:30pm), which was opened in 1913 and is one of the best preserved examples of its kind.
