Auckland – the secret capital
The city of Auckland is located between two inlets directly on the water. It was built on the remains of a series of extinct volcanoes and is therefore very hilly. Auckland can be recognized from afar by its skyline. The Sky Tower is one of the city’s landmarks at 328 meters high. In good weather, you have a fantastic view from the platform halfway up the tower.
It takes a whole 24 hours on the plane to get to New Zealand from Europe. Afterwards, the excited visitor can expect space without end. Just 3.8 million people are spread over the two main islands. Large parts of the country are completely untouched. New Zealand is a natural paradise: snow-capped mountains, lonely beaches, bubbling hot springs and endless kiwi plantations. New Zealand cuisine is just as varied and inventive. Nobody takes old traditions into account, because they don’t exist anyway. All this results in a limitlessly creative cuisine with ingredients from all over the world.
In Auckland, you are most likely to notice that New Zealand is located in the middle of the South Pacific. Many people from Polynesia live in the secret capital of New Zealand, immigrants from Fiji, Samoa or other South Sea islands. Once here, you can enjoy life on a variety of beaches and in the cafes. The annual Auckland Regatta is known worldwide as one of the largest one-day races of its kind. As the largest city in New Zealand, Auckland has the highest proportion of Polynesian population in the world.
With its Skytower, the tallest building in the southern hemisphere, the best and widest shopping offer in New Zealand as well as attractions for fun and games for the whole family and its approx. 800 restaurants, Auckland offers more than any other city in New Zealand. The interesting mix of culture, theatre, art and fashion gives Auckland a touch of cosmopolitan city; be it live music, classical music to fine jazz, or the latest designer fashion in elegant boutiques – Auckland has something for everyone.
The street canyons in Auckland are magnificently decorated for Christmas. In the suburbs, you can often see brightly painted retail stores. We take every opportunity to pay a visit to these small shops. The owners are friendly and you learn a lot about the country and its people. Auckland’s romantic hinterland is characterised by architecture from the last century. The houses are mostly built of wood and rarely higher than two storeys.
