C'mon over mate - it's party time in Auckland
18 May 2009
Auckland’s iconic harbour bridge is about to turn 50, and to mark the golden milestone the city is inviting 50 Australians to come on over to help celebrate.
In partnership with Emirates airline, Tourism Auckland has launched a two-week radio campaign in Sydney. The campaign on radio 2GB starts today (18.05.09) and will run until 30 May.
Iconic Auckland landmark
Tourism Auckland chief executive, Graeme Osborne, says this is a unique way to celebrate the iconic Auckland landmark.
"Sydney and Auckland both have a bridge spanning our beautiful harbours, so we’re keen to mark this occasion with our Australian neighbours," Osborne said.
"We hope this promotion will help to further raise awareness of Auckland as a diverse holiday destination, and help to boost trans-Tasman visitor numbers and spend in the region."
Harbour Bridge experiences
Apart from driving across, the bridge offers several visitor experiences:
• scaling the heights
• bungy jumping
• sailing past on an America’s Cup yacht
• panoramic viewing from one of Auckland's many volcanoes
• cruising by on a harbour ferry
• running the Auckland half / full marathon.
Pioneer Kiwi adventure tourism promoters A J Hackett operate the bridge climb and bungy jump. The bridge was the launching pad for a Guinness World Record in August 2008 when a local adrenaline-junkie made 103 jumps in 10 hours.
Throughout the birthday weekend (29 - 31 May), A J Hackett’s Harbour Bridge Climb will be offering a two-for-one deal.
Free flights
To win a free flight on the new Emirates A380, Sydneysiders have to visit the Tourism Auckland website (www.aucklandnz.com), and answer a question about the Auckland experiences.
The website will feature 50 hot deals, as well as 50 of the Auckland region’s assets and activities, including islands, volcanoes, beaches, wineries, great events and places to dine.
Background - Auckland Harbour Bridge
OPened in 1959, Auckland Harbour Bridge spans the gap across the Waitemata Harbour between St Mary's Bay in the city and Northcote Point on the northern side of the harbour.
It is part of State Highway One - New Zealand’s main North Island arterial - which travels from the Far North to Wellington in the south.
It took 1000 men four years to build the original four-lane truss bridge. The 1.2km lattice girder construction was the last of its type to be built in the world.
The bridge’s completion replaced a 40km trip through West Auckland or a car ferry journey with a short drive.
Original plans for the bridge included a pedestrian walkway and a fifth lane that were removed from the final plans to keep costs down. However, by the 1960s the bridge could no longer cope with daily traffic.
A three-year project added another four lanes that were opened in 1969. Built by a Japanese company, the new spans are referred to locally as the ‘Nippon clip-ons’.
The daily average for vehicle crossings is 165,000, although some days more than 200,000 vehicles cross the bridge.
The bridge has been blocked by protesters, taken over by marathon runners and is currently the subject of lively debate around a cycle / walking lane proposal.
More information:
Guinness World Record for NZ bungy jumper
Auckland: 30 minutes to a world of choice
Auckland in world's top four for lifestyle
Waiheke Island wins 2009 smart travel pick
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