Auckland Area Natural Attractions

Although Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand and the centre of commerce and industry, it is no longer the capital having been succeeded a long time ago by Wellington.

Auckland is surrounded by volcanic hills and boasts lovely beaches and bays with two harbours sheltering a multitude of sailing boats.

From the surrounding volcanic area, where Maori pas and fortified villages once nestled, you can get a panoramic view of Auckland’s strategic and superb position between the two harbours of Waitemata and Manukau as well as Auckland’s Harbour Bridge, the city’s most familiar sight.

This landscape was in fact formed over a period of millions of years by the eruption of volcanoes that created what are now Auckland’s superb bays, beaches and vegetation.

The Maki and Kawerau were the first Maori settlers who arrived to the Island 650 years ago and lived on the cultivation of the land warding off enemy tribes behind fortified pas. In the nineteenth century Europeans came to New Zealand and exploited the land for giant Kauri trees. These people lived from farming and vineyard exploitations.

The verdant Waitakere Ranges are the backdrop to this western coastline, which is rugged and wild with black sandy beaches and crashing waves, accessible only by narrow and steep pathways.

There is beautiful lush vegetation in this area, though it is in the process of regeneration after the ravaging by the early European settlers.

One Tree Hill and Mount Eden are the two biggest volcanic mountains in the Auckland area where vestiges of Maori fortresses can be found as well as a beautiful rose and flower park and the famous burial site of Sir John Campbell one of the city’s founders.

Another beautiful park is the Auckland Domain not far from the city centre. Here you will find winter gardens, glasshouses housing tropical plants and a vegetation rich in trees and sprawling gardens.

New Zealand’s natural history exhibitions and the biggest collection of Maori and Polynesian artefacts can be admired at the Auckland Museum situated south east of the Auckland Domain.

Parnell Village is also situated in the Domain; here you will find some of Auckland’s most historically important sites, teeming with trendy galleries, antique shops and Victorian period architecture.

For any additional information head towards the Aotea Square where there is a visitors Centre, the Old Town Hall and other council buildings. This is the cultural centre point of Auckland, a good place from which to start a visiting tour of Auckland.