Auckland
The world’s biggest Polynesian city – Auckland is a vibrant as well as alluring harbor city, located on a narrow isthmus, bounded by two harbors such as the Waitemata and the Manukau at the southern part of the Auckland Peninsula. The largest city in the country – Auckland is considered the gateway to New Zealand. This multicultural city, sometimes referred to as the ‘City of Sails,’ is a prominent center of commerce and trade in the country. Further, Auckland is much favored for its breathtaking landscapes comprising breathtaking scenery, amazing volcanic hills, fantastic bays and islands, and impressive beaches. Apart from these, Auckland is home to a multitude of internationally acclaimed tourist attractions.
Perhaps most popular among the attractions of the city is the spectacular Sky Tower – an impressive 328 mt tall building, which is the largest tower in the world. A part of the soaring SkyCity Casino complex, the Sky Tower is much famed for its Qualmark Endorsed Activity, namely, Sky Jump, which in turn enables jumpers to base jump by fire and then fall for about 16 seconds at around 85kph. The tower’s highlights also include an amusement center, an observation deck, and restaurants. Another great attraction of Auckland is the Tropical Butterfly House, which is largest of its kind in the continent. For those who are looking for something different during their stay at Auckland, then some of the best options are the renowned Nikau Glow Worm Caves, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, the Auckland Zoo, and Villa Maria Winery coupled with a vineyard park, consisting of Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Merlot grapes, apart from a variety of exotic as well as native trees, creating a superb parkland around the winery.
Auckland attractions also include a plethora of beaches and islands, such as, Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park, with more than 45 islands, of which some which are reserved for the indigenous plants and animals while others are a perfect base for swimming and boating; Waiheke Island, which is noted for its golden sand beaches and picturesque coves; Omana Beach, offering the enchanting views of Waiheke Island and Rangitoto Island (the youngest volcano in the city); and Muriwai – the longest among the west coast beaches in Auckland.
No visit to Auckland is complete without taking a tour to the museums and galleries in the city. Prominent among them are the Auckland Museum, displaying an impressive selection of the Pacific Island and Maori culture artifacts, and the Howick Historical Village, whose highlights are captivating Victorian-style buildings, cafes with homemade goodies, as well as ponds and backyard gardens. Also, worth mentioning are the mountains and parks in the region such as Waharau Regional Park – a diverse forested area spread over an area of 238 hectares; the Hunua Ranges, from where all of Auckland’s drinking water is originated; and Ambury Park, which is a wintering ground for a variety of migrant birds.
Above all, with such superb facilities as Eden Park, Mt Smart Stadium, Western Springs Stadium, and North Harbour Stadium, Auckland provides excellent opportunities to enjoy a variety of sport activities, including, motor sport activities, tennis, badminton, soccer, and rugby league.
Stumble it!