Auckland, New Zealand, Is A Hot Destination This Summer. Here’s Why
The days are getting shorter, and temperatures are falling in Auckland, New Zealand. The southern hemisphere winter will soon be here — and so will the visitors.
Tourists in Auckland? In summer … I mean, winter? Yep.
One of them is David Kumaki, a retired physician from Norway, Maine. He and his wife are flying to Auckland in July to see the FIFA Women's World Cup. The U.S. team will have most of its games in New Zealand, with two (against Vietnam and Portugal) happening in Auckland. Between the games and the attractions in Auckland, there's not enough time to see everything he wants to.
"We're already planning on going back," he told me.
Auckland has been a stopover destination for visitors headed to other parts of the country or continuing their journey to Australia. But that's changing, say tourism officials. The City of Sails is coming into its own as a bucket list destination, with new hotels, a redeveloped waterfront, and world-class museums. And its mild winters (temperatures range between 35 and 60 degrees) make an ideal escape for Americans fleeing a blazing hot northern hemisphere summer.
"There's a lot to enjoy in Auckland this July and August," says Annie Dundas, head of visitor economy at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the city's economic and cultural development agency.
This could be a make-or-break summer for Auckland, at least regarding tourism. The destination is recovering from the pandemic, having opened to international visitors only last August. And it's a big one for New Zealand's most populous city in other respects because tourism officials are trying to position it as more than a stopover destination.
But will they succeed?
For Auckland, this could be a big season
Auckland tourism officials are cautiously optimistic about June, July and August. Typically, Americans come to New Zealand for 10 to 12 days.
"They tend only to spend one or two nights in Auckland. There's usually a rest day and then an activity day," explains Vance Haywood, owner of The Exquisite Group, a luxury tour operator based in Auckland.
That may be changing. According to the latest numbers from Kayak, flight search volume for Auckland is up by a staggering 175 percent from last summer. Expedia's summer travel forecast says Auckland is the number-one trending destination. And last year, an influential American travel magazine named Auckland one of the top 23 places to visit.
"We're hoping that by now, everybody knows New Zealand is open for business once again and they'll actually start coming down and in more sizable numbers," says Jim Rohrstaff, managing director for Te Arai Links, a golf resort just north of Auckland.
What to do in Auckland this season
Auckland's mild climate means you can still enjoy the outdoors, with plenty of hiking, golf and watersports options during the Southern Hemisphere winter. Here are the marquee Auckland attractions:
Sky Tower. Auckland's trademark Sky Tower is the tallest freestanding structure in the southern hemisphere. There's a revolving restaurant, and if you're feeling adventurous, you can bungee-jump off the top. While you're there, you can check out the All Blacks Experience, a series of interactive exhibits that take you on a tour of New Zealand's famous rugby team.
Waiheke Island. Just a 40-minute ferry ride from the city, you'll find Waiheke Island, with its vineyards, hiking trails and ziplining. There's a hop-on, hop-off bus and lots of award-winning restaurants — plus miles of beaches.
Auckland War Memorial Museum. You can spend an afternoon discovering New Zealand's history and culture at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The war exhibits only occupy one floor. The museum also showcases Maori culture, and prehistoric plants and animals. But the neoclassical building alone, surrounded by acres of park and offering a spectacular view of Viaduct Harbor on the North Shore, is worth the visit.
New Zealand Maritime Museum. The Auckland Maritime Museum, one of the centerpieces of the redeveloped waterfront in Auckland, explores New Zealand's seafaring history. You'll find exhibits that document everything from the earliest settlement of the island to its obsession with competitive sailing. Catch one of the guided tours for the best experience.
But to understand Auckland, you must see it from an indigenous perspective. A walking tour of Mt. Eden (Maungawhau), a dormant volcano once used as a residence by the Ngāti Whatua tribe, will connect you to an authentic New Zealand experience. Dane Tumahai, who offers walking tours of the volcano to show visitors the history of Auckland from a Maori point of view, says he's seen an uptick in interest from visitors who want to go beyond the usual tourist attractions.
"Seeing Auckland from an indigenous perspective leads to a greater understanding of this place," he says.
Tips for visiting Auckland during the southern hemisphere winter
If Auckland is on your list for this summer, here are a few words of advice from travel experts.
It's our summer, but their winter
"When you're considering a visit to Auckland, remember these will be our winter months, which come with more rain and colder weather," says Tarek Beheiry general manager of the SO Auckland, a luxury hotel. "Always check the weather forecast when booking tours, especially sea-based, as these will be dependent on the daily weather conditions."
Remember, it's low season
Despite high hopes for this summer, it's still low season in Auckland, says Ben Hall, CEO of AAT Kings, a tour operator. "New Zealand's winter from June to August is considered low season," he says. The destination, which is already reasonably priced for American visitors, will be even more affordable if you come during the off-season.
Some roads are still closed
If you want to explore the rest of the North Island, remember that Cyclone Gabriel hit the island earlier this year, affecting areas such as Coromandel and Hawke’s Bay. "You will still be able to explore the North Island, but just be sure to check access and travel routes since there may be road closures," says Sarah Wilkes, a travel and accommodation representative at Bachare, a home rental company.
Why I'm coming back to Auckland
I tasted Auckland during the off-season when I visited in late fall, May, and early June. The polite warnings about the weather are, if anything, understated. The weather is indecisive, waffling between Seattle's rainy and Southern California's sunny.
That's no exaggeration. When I started writing this story, it had gone from a cloudless sky to a monsoon-like downpour — and back.
Auckland has a lot going for it, even during the cooler months. It's a well-developed, clean, and safe destination. It is also priced right for American visitors. The US dollar, which buys 1.65 New Zealand dollars, allows your vacation budget to go further.
Auckland checks a lot of boxes when it comes to a vacation destination. Natural beauty. Culture. Restaurants. Fascinating indigenous cultures. But the best reason to visit is the people. New Zealanders are famously friendly and welcoming. It all makes the expensive 17-hour flight from the East Coast more than worthwhile.
Christopher Elliott
Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. He’s the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes weekly columns for King Features Syndicate, USA Today, and the Washington Post. If you have a consumer problem you can’t solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter. Read more of Christopher’s articles here.