Your first impression of Auckland may be one that involves the words green and clean. As you approach Auckland by air you will see a gorgeous seascape and forests of green. Pay attention as you drive from the airport and you will see real beauty. There are 46 volcanic hills covered with closely cropped grass, (this service is provided free-of-charge by the sheep who wander the area.)

Do you think of Auckland as a rather small city? Not so, the population of Auckland is over one million. Do you think of Auckland as a place that is rather quaint and behind the times? Again, not so! This city has caught up with the times and many of the shops remain open every day. The nightclubs are trendy and exciting places to be and they dont close early. The people of the area are a delightful mix of cultures. There are people of Asian, Polynesian, and European descent. You will never be bored in Auckland because there are so many different things going on. Look around and you will see people walking, on bikes and running. People love the water and their boats in Auckland. There are 102 beaches and over 70,000 sailboats and power crafts.

The cultural blend of the people in Auckland is fascinating. There is a wonderful mix of Polynesians, Asians, and Europeans. You will also find an interesting blend of activities in the city. You will see cyclists, runners and lots of people participating in water activities. There are at least 70,000 powerboats and sailing crafts in the greater Auckland area. Plan to visit one or two of the 102 beaches that are within an hour of the city.

One of the greatest assets of Auckland is the Waitemata Harbour. This name means, sea of sparkling waters and the name fits this lovely harbor. In 2000 the city held its defense of the Americas Cup and the regatta helped a major redevelopment of the area begin. Viaduct is the name of the area now and some of the citys most popular cafes, restaurants and bars are located here.

When you buy an Explorer Bus Pass you can see the city in an inexpensive and convenient way. There are stops at nine of the major attractions in the city and you can hop on or off at any of these stops.

Tours are a good way to see the sights. The Explorer Bus trip is a great way to get started. Hop aboard the white double-decker bus and travel in a circuit that allows passengers to stop at nine of Aucklands major attractions.

The Auckland Museum is certainly worth a visit and dont leave the area without a trip to see Parnell Village. This is a place where you can shop to your hearts content at the upscale boutiques and shops. There are Victorian villas in the area, also. You will want to head up to the top of the Sky Tower for the superb view and the National Maritime Museum is lots of fun, too.

Other sights that you may want to put on your itinerary include the stunning Auckland Museum and Parnell Village. Parnell Village is famous for its boutiques and Victorian villas. The National Maritime Museum is worthy of a visit and you may want to take a trip up the Sky Tower. Here you can view the isthmus and surrounding harbors.

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