Auckland, is New Zealand's largest city, situated between the Manukau
and Waitemata Harbours and is built up on a landscape comprised of around fifty
extinct volcanic cones. Auckland's suburbs sprawl for miles with many people
commuting in from secluded bays and island communities while the downtown core
has the tall buildings and exciting nightlife of any big city. Auckland's Sky
Tower is the tallest free standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere at 328
metres..
The climate is warm-temperate, with warm summers and slightly cooler but
lengthy winters. January temperatures average 21-24 °C. (February and March are
typically warmer than January, however), and July temperatures average 14-16 °C.
High levels of rainfall occur almost year-round (over 1000mm per year),
especially in winter.
The approximately 48 volcanoes take the form of cones, lakes, lagoons,
islands and depressions. Some of the cones have been partly or completed
quarried away. The volcanoes are all individually extinct although the Field
itself is merely dormant. The most recent and by far the largest volcano is
Rangitoto Island which formed within the last 1000 years. Its size, its
symmetry, its position guarding the entrance to the Waitemata Harbour and its
visibility from many parts of the Auckland region make it Auckland?s most iconic
natural feature.
In just half an hour you can be almost anywhere - sailing to an island,
trekking through the rainforest, picnicking on a volcano, sampling wines at a
vineyard or wandering a wild, black sand surf beach. Auckland's layout makes it
easy to jump quickly from one theme to another.
Home to the recent America's Cup yacht race, Auckland has a well-earned
reputation as the City of Sails. It is said that one in every ten Aucklanders
owns a boat and on a sunny day it seems that everyone is out on the harbour.
It's a great idea to join them if you get the chance. There are companies that
operate sailing excursions on the harbour or you can opt for the cheaper option
of the Devonport ferry.The city's tourist attractions are, unsurprisingly, based
around all things maritime. When you've had enough of aquariums and the history
of sailing, go looking for Maori culture and dinosaur skeletons, lie in the
gardens or try stargazing at the Observatory.
The city has an interesting multicultural mix with a blend of Asian, European
and Polynesian culture and it has the largest Polynesian population of any city
in the world.
Auckland has some interesting inner-city neighbourhoods. Parnell is a short
walk from downtown Auckland and has a quaint old shopping area along with classy
restaurants and cafés, walk a little further away from the centre and you
come to Newmarket, a bustling neighbourhood which is a great place for
no-nonsense shopping. Ponsonby on the opposite side of the city centre to
Parnell also has trendy cafés and bars, but with a grungier and more
down-to-earth feel. Walk uptown along Queen Street and you'll come to
Karangahape Road (also known as ?K' Road) a colourful Polynesian neighbourhood
with pumping nightlife.
America's Cup activity has added an infusion of exciting new restaurants and
bars. In the stylish precincts of Parnell, Ponsonby and Viaduct Basin, scores of
restaurants compete for your attention.
This South Pacific waterside city has a strong pulse and a nautical twinkle
in its eye. Its bewitching location on a thin stretch of the North Island,
surrounded by the Pacific on just about every side, is complemented by the lush
subtropical forests of the nearby hills and islands.
This coastal region facing Whangaparaoa Bay is only half an hour north of
central Auckland and makes a great weekend getaway for backpackers working in
Auckland and it is also a great spot for travellers who want to visit Auckland,
but don't want to stay in the city. Orewa is the main centre on the coast and it
a good selection of shops and excellent transport connections to Auckland.