What are the top tips for travelling with children to Auckland?
Take a day trip to Waiheke Island
The local wine region is one of the claims to fame on Waiheke. However, there’s so much more to the island, and it’s an excellent spot for a family day out while holidaying on cheap flights to Auckland from Canberra. There are plenty of nice beaches where you can try water sports like surfing and kayaking. Waiheke also has more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) of walking tracks to explore. Eco Zip Adventures is another fun attraction to visit with daring kids – it has a series of zip lines through ancient forest.
Visit New Zealand Maritime Museum
The New Zealand Maritime Museum is the perfect place to take kids who are interested in ships and sea explorations. The exhibits at the museum tell stories of seafarers, including the original Polynesian settlers to New Zealand and European sailors. Reconstructed and preserved ships are on display around the museum, and there are plenty of interactive exhibits that kids love. Visitors can even cruise through Auckland Harbour on a heritage sailboat ride.
Spend a day at Piha Beach
Plan a day at the beach if you’ll be travelling on cheap flights from Canberra to Auckland, New Zealand during the summer holidays. Piha Beach is one of the top-rated beaches in the Auckland region. It’s surrounded by native forest and dramatic cliffs, and it's unique from other Auckland beaches due to volcanic black sand. Lounge on the beach, go for a surf, and explore Piha walking trails that lead to spots like Kitekite Falls. The Piha suburb is located about 40 minutes from the Auckland CBD by car, but it’s a popular place to stay if you’re after a quiet coastal vibe rather than the busy city.
What is the best way to get around Auckland?
Auckland is a great city to explore on foot as the CBD is fairly compact. You’ll also find an excellent public transport network that you can use to get around while holidaying on Canberra to Auckland flights.
The SkyBus is a quick and affordable way to reach the city after arriving on flights from Canberra to Auckland. It makes the journey from Auckland Airport (AKL) to the CBD in about 40 minutes.
Auckland is home to four train lines that operate between the city and suburbs. Each line originates at Britomart in the CBD. You can catch the train to suburbs like Newmarket and Mount Eden.
The bus is another good way to explore Auckland. Dozens of bus routes operate around the Auckland region, but the ones that are most useful to visitors are the CityLink, InnerLink, and OuterLink. The CityLink operates around the CBD and the InnerLink and OuterLink both loop between the city and inner suburbs. Stops include Ponsonby, Parnell, Mount Eden, and Karangahape Road.
Venture to the northern suburbs and islands near Auckland by catching a ferry. There are 13 ferry routes from central Auckland that reach popular destinations like Devonport, Waiheke Island, and Half Moon Bay.
Are you hoping to get outside the city while holidaying on Canberra to Auckland return flights? Hire a car with Webjet to pick up from the airport on arrival. Use the car to reach spots that aren’t easily accessible by public transport like Piha Beach and Waitakere Ranges National Park.
What’s on in Auckland?
Auckland Arts Festival
The annual Auckland Arts Festival celebrates the most creative Aotearoa talents. Visual art installations are set up on the city streets, and stage performances encompass all different areas of the arts. The selection of shows includes theatre, live music, dance, and comedy – some shows are ticketed while others are free to attend. You can enjoy the Auckland Arts Festival by booking your cheap flights from Canberra to Auckland, New Zealand for travel in early to mid-March.
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
Book your Canberra to Auckland flights around St Jerome’s Laneway Festival if you’re a fan of live music. The day-long event is held in Auckland’s Albert Park at the end of January. The festival line-up includes a range of world-famous and up-and-coming artists. Previous musicians to perform at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival include Billie Eilish, Tame Impala, Lorde, and Flume. Grab your tickets early to make sure they don’t sell out.
Pasifika Festival
The Pasifika Festival celebrates the heritage of all different Pacific cultures. This includes that of New Zealand as well as islands like Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, and Hawaii. Each culture has its own “village” as part of the festival where visitors can go to watch cultural performances and taste traditional food. You can attend the Pasifika Festival by travelling to Auckland in mid-March.
FAQ
Can you fly direct from Canberra to Auckland?
No, there are currently no direct flights from Canberra to Auckland. Flights include a stopover along the way in Sydney, Brisbane, or Melbourne.
How long does it take to fly to New Zealand from Canberra?
You can fly from Canberra to Auckland in about five and a half hours including a stopover.
What is the cheapest time of year to fly to New Zealand from Canberra?
You’ll find the lowest rates on tickets from Canberra to Auckland in May. The winter low season also has some good flight prices.
What airlines fly direct from Canberra to Auckland?
No airlines currently fly direct from Canberra to Auckland. You can travel between the two cities on Qantas or Air New Zealand, each of which includes a stopover.
