The waterside city of Auckland is known for its nautical lifestyle. Dubbed the “city of sails” Auckland has more boats per capita than any other city and the lifestyle here takes place largely on the water. As you’d expect, Waitemata Harbour is the focal point of the city; its name is Maori and means “sea of sparkling waters” – a good summary of the backdrop. The America’s Cup was hosted here in 2000 and a major renovation of the area took place. It’s lively not just during the day, for the yachts and watersports, but by night for the popular bars, clubs and restaurants that have sprung up over the last decade.
For such a large city, Auckland’s surroundings are stunning. On a flight to Auckland, travellers see first the sea, then the volcanic hills and lush forests before spotting the city. Situated on a strip of land with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Tasman Sea on the other, the landscape is awe-inspiring and many visitors use Auckland as a base from which to explore the rest of New Zealand. From Stanley Bay, there are more than 100 beaches within an hour’s travelling time.
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