Auckland is not short of beautiful beaches. — Photos: Handout
This is the perfect time for Malaysians to visit Auckland.
A weak New Zealand dollar vs the Ringgit makes it even cheaper to travel there. And because of the exchange rate, Auckland is a more affordable holiday option as compared to our neighbour, Singapore.
The other reason why Auckland is now an attractive destination for Malaysians is Batik Air’s six flights weekly from Kuala Lumpur to the New Zealand capital via a transit in Perth, Australia, which commenced on Aug 24. The airline intends to increase this to seven times a week from Oct 31.
Auckland, with a two million population, is the largest city in New Zealand.
It offers stunning natural beauty, rich cultural diversity, and a lively, city atmosphere. Additionally, Auckland serves as an ideal starting point to discover other nearby destinations.
Several of Malaysia’s top travel and leisure resorts and agencies were part of Batik Air’s inaugural flight here.
“Batik Air’s new route will help us get back to our pre-Covid-19 (tourist arrival) numbers of at least 61,000 Kiwis visiting our country,” said Tourism Malaysia’s deputy director general Datuk Musa Yusof, who was on board the inaugural flight.
The Auckland city skyline with its iconic landmark, the Sky Tower, in the centre.
Speaking at a travel and trade gathering to welcome the airline’s presence in the city, Musa said that travellers from Auckland and Perth could use KL as a stopover and then a gateway to other destinations because Batik Air flies to 56 destinations from its KL hub.
The airline’s group strategy director Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said that demand for the new destination was already rising and pledged to keep fares competitive.
“We are working with a number of New Zealand travel agents to keep prices low,” he said, adding that the Perth to Auckland sector was proving to be popular with the large Kiwi diaspora who work in the Australian city and travel back home.
Chandran said the airline was using new Boeing 737-Max 8 planes for the KL-Perth-Auckland sector.
“We are a full-service airline with 12 business class seats and 160 economy class seats,” he said.
Spring (September to November) is probably the best time to visit Auckland because there are fewer crowds and the temperatures are mild. It’s a great time to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, swimming and visiting the beaches.
You’ll find the best of both worlds in Auckland, with beautiful rainforests, parks and beaches all so close to the city centre. This vibrant and diverse city has a wide range of things to do and see. In fact, it is a perfect family getaway.
At the trade and travel industry event celebrating Batik Air’s inaugural flight to Auckland, with Chandran (left) and Musa and two of the airline’s fight attendants.
Take a ferry ride or a cruise to explore the beautiful Waitemata Harbour, and take in the sights of the city from the water.
The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park west of the city centre has more than 250km of walking and hiking tracks through lush native rainforest, past cascading waterfalls and along a magnificent coastline.
The Sky Tower is the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest free-standing tower. It offers spectacular views of the city and surroundings. Try the SkyWalk or SkyJump, an experience that allows you to walk around or jump off the edge of the tower.
For a bit of culture and history, you could opt for either the Auckland Art Gallery with a wide range of artworks from the country’s history or the Auckland War Memorial Museum which features outstanding exhibitions of Maori artefacts, culture and natural history.
As a city that is based around two large harbours, Auckland is not short of beautiful beaches, such as Mission Bay, Kohimarama and Takapuna. These beaches are great for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing.
And when in Auckland, make sure you include Waiheke island on your itinerary. The island, a mere 20-minute ferry ride away from the city centre offers some of New Zealand’s best boutique wineries. The 30-odd vineyards here offer wine tastings amidst stunning views.
If shopping and dining are your cup of tea, the city has high-end designer boutiques and local craft markets. It also has an impressive variety of restaurants, cafes and bars to suit every taste and budget. In the inner city you’ll find modern dining at Britomart, Commercial Bay, Federal Street and City Works Depot.
Enjoy dinner and drinks or a casual bite on Auckland’s beautiful waterfront in the Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter precincts.
New Zealand is famous for its self-drive tours and Auckland is a good starting point to explore the countryside. Rent a car or caravan and head out for day trips to the East Coast Bays or charming villages like Devonport and Matakana.
Batik Air flies six times weekly from KLIA to Auckland Airport, departing at 10.35am and arriving in Perth Airport at 4.10pm. After a two-hour transit, it departs Perth at 6.10pm and arrives in Auckland at 5.45am.
Meanwhile, the return flight from Auckland leaves at 7.30am and arrives in Perth at 10.10am and then onwards to KL, arriving at 4.50pm.
