WaitemataThe Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, aptly called the bay around which Auckland is now nestled, “sparkling water”. With one and a half million inhabitants, the city is now the largest in the country and the arrival point for most travelers after a long-haul flight from Europe, which can hardly be covered in less than 24 hours.
Kia Ora – welcome to New Zealand, it says after entry. The time difference is plus ten to twelve hours, depending on summer and winter time. It is therefore advisable to spend the first few days of a trip to New Zealand in Auckland to acclimatize.
The city’s location is brilliant: on the isthmus between two seas, the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Tasman Sea to the west. At its narrowest, the land bridge is only 1.3 kilometers long. Therefore, the city can be crossed on foot in just 20 minutes.
But the orientation seems confusing at first: At midday – unlike here in Europe – the sun is not at its highest in the south, but in the north, because we are in the southern hemisphere.
In the city between the seas
From almost every point in Auckland you can see the water behind the skyscrapers somewhere on the horizon, reflecting the sunlight. The city extends over hills, all of volcanic origin.
The Sky Tower serves as an orientation aid in two senses. On the one hand, because at 328 meters it towers over all the high-rise buildings in downtown, and on the other hand, it is the perfect lookout at the beginning of your stay: If you take the elevator to the restaurant or one of the viewing platforms, you can see the city and its surroundings – and when the weather is good See up to 80 kilometers away, not just through the panoramic windows.
How about a thrill? The SkyWalk allows a tour high above the city in the wind – without railings, but with a safety rope. The brave can even dare to jump into the depths.
But Auckland can also be discovered in a more relaxed way. On the following pages of the photo series we show which attractions you definitely shouldn’t miss.