The city of volcanoes erupts in beauty, cosmopolitan tones, water, skyscrapers and a Polynesian past. Auckland sits just 300 kilometers from the northern tip of the North Island of New Zealand. Weaving through bays and harbors, the city was formed due to 48 volcanic eruptions over 50,000 years ago. With a vibrant waterfront, a busy downtown and moments with history, Auckland overflows perhaps not with lava but certainly with a wealth of things to see and do.
Right in the center of the city lays the Sky Tower, New Zealand’s tallest buildings. The Sky Tower reaches heights of 328 meters above Auckland. A forty second-lift ride will leave visitors at its first observations deck. Those that continue up even farther will see the idyllic lookout with both the city and harbor in full view.
With over 1,000 creatures from all around the world, the Auckland Zoo remains a favorite among visitors and locals in Auckland. The Zoo is revolutionary in its efforts to keep animals in surroundings as close to their natural habitats and environments as possible. Here visitors can view monkeys, apes, parrots, and spiders through the Auckland Zoo’s rainforest area. Even more local species find a home in the zoo such as the hard to see kiwi, the national bird, and the Tuatara, a lizard-dinosaur.
Auckland’s oldest, biggest and most attractive park is said to be the Auckland Domain. With its semi formal gardens, pathways, ponds, and sculptures, the Auckland Domain is the perfect place to cover 81 hectares of an extinct volcano, all right in the city center. Housed in this area is the Auckland Museum. The city’s most popular attraction contains a rich collection of Maori and South Pacific artifacts.
The museums continue at the New Zealand National Maritime Museum. Buried in the heart of the downtown’s waterfront, the New Zealand National Maritime Museum covers nearly a millennium of history. Displays include those of whaling, sealing, and navigation. Visitors can also view historic boats, the first freezer ships to export farm produce and the invention of the jet boat.
While the Auckland Domain tends to get most of the attention, One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park comes in as a close second. The area was once the largest volcanic cone fortress in the southern hemisphere. 5,000 Maori maintained it at one time. Even Auckland’s European father, John Logan Campbell can be found buried here.
Auckland’s mix of modern and old is somewhat baffling at times. For a taste of its architectural old seek out St. Mary’s Church. The wooded interior of the church decorates with stained glass windows. Completed in 1898, the Gothic design of St. Mary’s is worth a gander, even if organized religion is not your thing.
It is hard to believe the city of Auckland owes much to volcanic eruptions. The modern and buzzing city still can’t hide its rocky past, especially on Mt. Eden. The grassy slopes of Mt. Eden cover up what is Auckland’s highest volcano. Many come here at sunrise and sunset for its vantage point tends to take breaths away, not just for its view, but also due to its crater location.
While the Polynesian settlers staked out Auckland as their own over 1,000 years ago, the Europeans would quickly move in by the 1820s. Despite the dominance, Auckland still maintains one of the most multicultural cities in all of New Zealand.
