Auckland is to New Zealand what Sydney is to Australia: its largest city and economic heart — though not the capital, which is Wellington.
A quarter of New Zealand’s population lives in Auckland, around 1 million people.
The city sits on the narrowest strip of land in the country, bordered on one side by the Tasman Sea and on the other by the Pacific Ocean. Wherever you are in Auckland, the sea is never far — you’ll find white-sand and black-sand beaches alike, with waters ranging from blue to green.
Viaduct Harbour is a pleasant district, ideal for strolling amid the sound of clinking yacht masts before a good meal or a drink at one of the many restaurants and bistros lining the waterfront.
No visit is complete without the iconic Sky Tower, where you can try one of the great Kiwi specialties: an irresistible urge to leap into thin air for a guaranteed adrenaline rush.
Around Auckland lie numerous volcanic islands, easily reached by ferry.
Rangitoto Island, about 5 km across, is a nature reserve crisscrossed by forest walking trails — remarkably peaceful just a short distance from the city.
