Auckland's main street is Queen Street, with great shops, arcades and restaurants, leading down to the Harbour. Auckland has a vast assortment of shops from designer boutiques to the casual atmosphere of markets and stalls. From the waterfront Auckland's Harbour Bridge can be seen - over 1,000 metres of steel spanning the Waitemata Harbour. Of the many volcanic cones dominating the surrounding geography, most have been quarried away. Three remain and offer spectacular panoramic views across the city of Auckland. Mt Eden is the highest point, and offers 360°views across the suburbs and harbours to the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean.

To the west of Auckland are wineries and farms set in picturesque flower and fruit growing areas. The Waitakere Ranges provide extensive wild native bush with walking tracks through kauri groves and past waterfalls which continue down to the west coast beaches. The wild west coast is characterised by titanium-rich black sand and pounded by the Tasman Sea.

A journey up the Kaipara River towards Helensville provides a rural contrast to the forested Waitakere Ranges and West Coast beaches. The river gently runs through fertile farmland and meets the coast at Karpara Harbour. Kaipara Harbour is the largest harbour in the southern hemisphere, with a coastline covering 300 kilometres.

Only a 10 minute ferry ride from Auckland city is Devonport. A true marine village, Devonport is home to the Royal New Zealand Navy base. Twin volcanic peaks, Mount Victoria and North Head, offer great views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. Nineteenth century architecture blends with stylish restaurants, bars, shops and museums.

Auckland's Hauraki Gulf contain many islands including Rangitoto, Kawau, Brown, Rakino, Little Barrier, Tiritiri Matangi and Waiheke Island. Access to the islands and trips around the Gulf is via ferry and charter boats. Waiheke Island is covered with lush vineyards, olive groves and pastureland and offers unique art, stylish cafes, beautiful beaches and breathtaking scenery.

South Auckland sees the merge of greater Auckland with the horticultural pastures of the Bombay Hills. This area is also the Polynesian centre of Auckland, with weekend markets displaying the Pacific cultures.

Crossing the rich dairy farmlands of the Hauraki Plains, arrive in Thames, the major town of the Coromandel Peninsula. Discover the magnificent Cathedral Cove, Hahei Beach with its pink sand, Hot Water Beach with hot springs and the volcanic hills with ancient forests of giant kauri trees.

The Coromandel Peninsula has many beaches ranging from sweeping ocean stretches to secluded bush coves and sheltered bays. The Coromandel Forest Park and Farm Park have been developed to regenerate bush areas and to keep these areas both protected and accessible. Nearly half of the peninsula is in the care of the Department of Conservation. The Coromandel Peninsula is seeped in history with Maori pa sites, old kauri logging dams, abandoned milling and mining sites and old houses and cottages.

Fact Summary

Auckland is New Zealands largest city with 25 percent of the total population.

Auckland was the capital of New Zealand from 1840 to 1865.

Auckland covers an area larger than that of Greater London.

Weather