The pearl of Oceania, New Zealand's Auckland, is one of the world's ten best cities to live in in terms of ecology and convenience. It is called the City of Volcanoes and Sailboats. In its vicinity there are 48 extinct volcanoes, 3 bays, more than 50 islands. And the uniqueness of the city lies in the fact that it has access to two seas. On the one hand, its coast is washed by the Tasman Sea, on the other, by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Auckland cannot boast of a large number of historical and architectural monuments. But on the other hand, it has several modern man-made sights. The tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere is the Sky Tower. The largest stadium in the country is Eden Park. One of the longest observation tunnels in the world is the Underwater World at Kelly Tarlton Aquarium.
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What to see and where to go in Auckland?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Queen Street
The main life artery of Auckland, where you can fully experience its atmosphere and multinational flavor. All roads lead exactly here. The street is named after Queen Victoria. Here are the offices of the largest banks and corporations, elite shopping centers, hotels, numerous restaurants and coffee shops, souvenir shops. There are many street musicians. On national holidays, traffic is closed. Queen Street leads to the waterfront and port.
Viaduct Harbor
A beautiful coastal harbor with luxury yachts and pleasure boats. On one of them you can go on a cruise along the bay. The port is located next to the business center of Auckland, has 150 berths for sea vessels. This is a popular tourist area. The waterfront is full of entertainment venues, small bars and restaurants offering signature seafood dishes. Various festivals are often held here. And also in this area is the famous Maritime Museum.
Sky tower
The height of the telecommunications tower dominating the entire city is 328 meters. It was built in 1997. It is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere. It has 3 glass elevators, 3 circular observation platforms, the main of which, with a glass floor, is located at a height of 186 meters. There are 2 restaurants at the top of the tower, one of which rotates 360 °. For the most daring, extreme entertainment is offered - jumping from the top platform of the 192-meter high tower.
Mount Eden
The highest extinct volcano in the city. It erupted for the last time a long time ago - 28 thousand years ago. The huge bowl-shaped crater at the top is 50 meters deep. The best viewpoint in Auckland. On the slopes there are villas, museums, the castle-shaped prison of the same name, as well as one of the largest stadiums in the country. The height of the mountain is 196 meters. Until 2006, tourist buses went to the top, now you can only climb on foot.
One tree's hill
This name has a long extinct volcano, on which a lonely tree once grew. Its last eruption was almost 30 thousand years ago. The height of the hill is 182 meters. There are two parks at its foot. At the top is an obelisk with a statue of a Maori warrior. Below it is the grave of the famous public figure and businessman John Logan Campbell. One of the parks - Cornwall - is his gift to the residents of the city.
Auckland Museum
Numerous museum exhibitions are devoted to historical periods and events that were important for the city and the country as a whole. Collections of dishes, jewelry, weapons, models of dwellings are presented in exhibitions telling about the indigenous people of New Zealand. There are exhibitions dedicated to the colonial period and the legendary military history of the country. The museum is located in a 3-storey monumental building, erected on top of an extinct volcano in 1929.
Oakland zoo
The opening took place in 1922. Located close to the center. 138 species of animals live on 17 hectares of land. The entire territory is divided into zones according to the region of origin of the species. For example, Elephant Washer, Rainforest, Pride Land, Hippo River, Australian Walk and others. A children's area is open for young visitors. The attraction of the zoo is 6 artificial installations of animal habitats that can be seen only in New Zealand.
"The Underwater World of Kelly Tarlton"
A fascinating oceanarium with transparent acrylic tunnels, numerous aquariums, artificial underwater caves and reefs. It was established in 1985 on the shores of Freemans Bay, in the suburbs of Auckland. Contains 5 zones: "Stingray Bay", children's "Interactive room", "Sea creatures", "Clash with Antarctica" - the penguins' domain. And the most important object is a 110-meter tunnel with a moving conveyor belt, which is inhabited by 2,000 marine inhabitants.
Toi-o-Tamaki Art Gallery
The first gallery in the country was founded in 1888. The collection is based on unique books, manuscripts and paintings donated to the museum by Governor George Gray. Today, the funds store more than 12 thousand exhibits. These are the best canvases of New Zealand and European masters of painting and graphics. Classic and contemporary pieces are on display. The gallery hosts various cultural events, temporary exhibitions. There is a souvenir shop and a cafe in the building.
Maritime Museum of New Zealand
Dedicated to the maritime history of the country. A long period of time has been covered, from the first Polynesian settlers to modern yachtsmen who win regional and world regattas. Collections on the theme of sea trade, whaling, water rescue, navigation are presented. The museum exhibits several old sailing ships that are still sailing. There is also a small gallery with paintings by New Zealand marine painters.
Museum of Transport and Technology
An entertaining museum with interesting exhibits. It was opened in 1964. Located in the Western Springs area. Consists of two parts, between which a tram runs. The museum displays collections of historical steam locomotives and carriages, trams, cars, buses, road military equipment, police cars and motorcycles, electrical equipment, etc. The aviation hall houses military, civilian and sports aircraft.
City theater
The opening took place in 1929. After reconstruction in 1999, the original design was restored. The foyer is made in Indian style, contains statues of seated Buddhas, columns and domed ceilings. The auditorium resembles Moorish gardens with minarets, towers, and panther statues. Designed for 2380 people. It is an example of atmospheric theater style, in which lighting and interior design give the illusion of a night sky with stars.
Pop-up Globe
The theater was opened in 2016. This is a slightly smaller copy of the famous Shakespeare's Globe Theater, which existed in London at the beginning of the 17th century and was restored in 1997. Spectators have the opportunity to see performances of Shakespeare's most famous plays here. The structure has the shape of a 16-sided polygon, without a roof. Near the stage there is a "courtyard" with standing places for 300 spectators, it is surrounded by three tiers of galleries with 600 seats.
St patrick's cathedral
It was built in the middle of the 19th century. Located in the city center, near the Sky Tower. In the 60s of the last century, the Liston House building was completed. The first floor is intended for parishioners and social services. The second is where the clergy live.The pearl of the Catholic cathedral is the Bell Tower. It has two of the oldest bells in the country. Since 1980, they have been controlled by an automated system. You can also listen to the organ in the cathedral.
Auckland town hall
A neo-baroque building in the city center on Queen Street. Built in 1911 from two types of stone - dark volcanic basalt and light limestone. In the 90s, a major reconstruction was carried out. It is famous for the Big Concert Hall for 1500 spectators, with excellent acoustics, where rock performers love to perform. And also here is the largest organ in the country, dating back to 1911. There is one more hall in the town hall - Chamber, for 430 people.
Auckland Harbor Bridge
The majestic Waitemata Bay Bridge was built in 1954-59. It connects the city center with the northern part. The length is 1150 meters. The main span, between the two columns, takes 244 meters, and the height at this point is 43 meters. Initially, the bridge consisted of 4 car lanes, after 20 years, 2 lanes were added to each side. But due to the additional load, cracks appeared in the structure. Repairs were carried out and subsequently the movement of freight vehicles was prohibited.
Eden Park
This is the name of the country's largest stadium with a capacity of 50 thousand spectators. New Zealand's premier rugby field, the most popular sport among the local population. In 2011, it was at this stadium that the games of the World Rugby Cup were held. The number of seats was then increased to 60 thousand. And in 2015, the games of the Cricket World Cup took place here. The stadium also hosts matches in other sports - football and one of the varieties of rugby - rugby league.
Spark Arena
One of the most popular venues in New Zealand for large-scale cultural, entertainment and sports events. It opened in 2007. The capacity is 12 thousand spectators. Until 2017 it was called the Vector Arena. It hosts concerts of world stars performing in a variety of musical genres. The Arena also provides its territory for competitions in netball, wrestling, ice hockey, basketball, BMX bicycle motocross and other sports.
Cornwall Park
A favorite recreation area for local residents. Famous for its rural landscapes that convey all the charm of New Zealand nature. Lots of lush greenery, flower beds, spreading trees, lawns where sheep and cows graze freely. There are rugby fields, tennis courts, cricket grounds, gazebos and barbecues. The park is located on the slopes of One Tree Hill. It was founded at the beginning of the last century by John Logan Campbell, who transferred his former farm to the city.
Auckland Domain Park
Recreational area at the foot of an extinct volcano. It borders on Cornwall Park, but was founded earlier - in the middle of the 19th century. Once there was a botanical garden, glass greenhouses with rare tropical plants have been preserved since that time. There are many trees, original flower beds, marble statues and gazebos in the park. There is a pond with ducks, sports grounds. It also houses the War Memorial Museum.
Albert park
One of the oldest parks in Auckland. It was discovered in the 19th century. Located on a volcanic hill in the city center. Some giant trees with spreading crowns have survived from the moment they were laid. There are several interesting objects in the park. Among them are an old cast-iron fountain with beautiful figures, a flower garden in the shape of a clock, statues of Queen Victoria and Governor George Gray, a memorial in honor of the Anglo-Boer battle, a clock museum, etc.
Waitaker Ranges
The huge territory of the regional park on the coast of the Tasman Sea combines several landscape zones. Mountains, hills and canyons, a jungle with waterfalls, a grove of flowering pohutukawa trees, thickets of the most ancient conifers - kauri, wild beaches with yellow and gray sand. Visitors are offered cycling and horseback riding, hiking on hiking trails with a total length of 250 km, extreme jumping into a waterfall, fishing and beach recreation.
Rangitoto island
A valuable nature conservation site in the Hauraki Bay. Volcanic island. Occupies an area of 23 km2... The last eruption was relatively recent - about 700 years ago. Some areas are still under black lava. The rich vegetation is of particular value. There are 200 types of trees, 40 types of ferns, several types of orchids. It is home to the world's largest pohutukawa forest, an evergreen spherical tree with red flowers.
Tiritiri-Matangi
Island in Hauraki Bay, 30 km from Auckland. You can get there by ferry. Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Marine Park. Area - 220 hectares. The main attraction is a variety of birds, of which there are a huge number, and they are very trusting and sociable. There are rare species such as the flightless takahe. Reptiles also live on the island, only here you can see the tuatara - the only representative of the ancient beak-headed.
Takapuna Beach
Located on the North Shore of Auckland, in the area of the same name. This is a small, “privileged” area of the city, which has just begun to be built up. The beach is sandy, not crowded, clean and well maintained. Popular with locals. There is parking, cafes, restaurants, picnic areas, tables with benches. Great place for water sports. Suitable for families with children, there is a playground.
