Joining North Shore City’s Northcote with Auckland’s St.Mary’s Bay the Auckland Harbour Bridge is an iconic overpass that is also the longest bridge in the North Island of New Zealand. With an impressive length that measures 1,020 meters the Auckland Harbour Bridge towers 43.2m above the water with a central extension of 243.8 meters. Built as far back as 1954 by the New Zealand Transport Agency the Freeman Fox & Partners designed overpass is a box truss style bridge with 9 spans. A whopping eight highway lanes are also part of this monumental structure which is popular among seasoned and novice shutterbugs as it affords the best aerial view of Auckland City and its skyscraper laden landscapes.
Opened to the public in late May, 1959 the Auckland Harbour Bridge is not only a transportation hub but an equally viable tourist attraction with many tour operators offering visitors excursion/ adventure packages involving the overpass and its highlights. The Auckland Bridge Climb is one such tour which lets visitors take in the awe-inspiring view atop the bridge after a trek to one of its highest points; while the AJ Hackett Bungee Experience is an activity best reserved for thrill seekers. As the world’s first harbour bridge jump this once in a lifetime opportunity is a 40m drop that will linger in the memory long after. As one of the world’s most popular bungee jumps the Auckland Harbour Bridge Bungee experience is also the only ocean touch bungee encounter in New Zealand. Jumpers can also get their hands on photographic and video proof of their feat on Pier 2 of the Auckland Harbour Bridge at the base camp.
The famed bridge is also one of the crucial points of the Auckland Marathon and the1992 installment of the running contest was the first sporting event to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge in its illustrious history. Even today the bridge is one of the draw cards at the event which sees over 10,000 participants take to the streets of Auckland in the mega sporting occasion annually.
Travellers on the lookout for elegant hotels in Auckland will find no finer alternative to The Langham Auckland. Offering guests a resplendent hideaway in one of the country’s touristic capitals this stylish rest is among the best Auckland hotels for holidaymakers from across the world.
