Auckland - Getting Around - Road

Driving in New Zealand is easy and inexpensive. Although Auckland is one of the busiest areas, in terms of traffic, it is still relatively quiet by European standards. A valid national driving licence is all that is required for driving in New Zealand for up to 12 months. The legal driving age is 18 years. Insurance is not mandatory but is recommended. Traffic drives on the left. Speed limits are 100kph (62mph) on open roads, 50kph (31mph) in urban areas and 20kph (12mph) in the vicinity of schools and stopped school buses. The AA (tel: 0800 500 222; www.aa.co.nz) is the major motoring organisation.

Emergency breakdown services
AA (tel: 0800 500 222).

Routes to the city
SH1 north runs parallel to the east coast of North Island to Warkworth and then on to Bay of Islands, Northland Forest Park and Cape Reinga. SH1 south heads toward Hamilton and Wellington, which links with SH5 to Rotorua, SH29 to Taurangia, SH2 to Gisbourne, SH3 to New Plymouth (via the west coast and linking with Raglan or Waitomo), SH5 to Napier and SH4 to Wanganui.

Driving times to the city
From Rotorua - 2 hours 30 minutes; Bay of Islands - 3 hours; Wellington - 8 to 9 hours.

Coach services
Auckland has good coach links with other major New Zealand towns and cities, as well as the more popular tourist areas. The biggest coach service provider throughout New Zealand is InterCity (tel: (09) 583 5780; www.intercitycoach.co.nz), in conjunction with its partner, Newmans (tel: (09) 583 5780: www.newmanscoach.co.nz). Apart from these two major bus companies, there are smaller operators and shuttle bus companies. Go Kiwi Shuttles (tel: (07) 866 0336; www.go-kiwi.co.nz) runs to the Coromandel Peninsula and Rotorua, while Northliner Express (tel: (09) 583 5780; www.northliner.co.nz) travels to the Bay of Islands.