With 1,4 million inhabitants, it may not be the capital, but it is the largest city of New Zealand: Auckland. Here are the three highlights of the day:
1) Manukau Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in New Zealand by area. It is located to the southwest of the Auckland isthmus, and is an arm of the Tasman Sea. The harbour is popular for fishing, though entry to the water is difficult with few all-tide boat ramps; often local beaches are used. Because of the large harbour area and narrow mouth between the Manukau Heads, tidal flow is rapid and a bar at the mouth makes navigating in or out of the harbour dangerous. New Zealand's most tragic shipwreck occurred on the bar in 1863 when HMS Orpheus ran aground in clear weather with a loss of 189 lives.
2) The Auckland Domain is Auckland's oldest park, and at 75 hectares one of the largest in the city. Located in the central suburb of Grafton, the park lies mostly within the crater of the Pukekawa volcano. The park is home to one of Auckland's main tourist attractions, the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which sits prominently on the crater rim. Several sports fields occupy the floor of the crater, circling to the south of the cone, while the rim opposite the Museum hosts the cricket pavilion and Auckland City Hospital. The Wintergarden, with two beautiful glass houses, as well as the Duck Ponds lie on the north edge of the cone.
3) Westhaven Marina is the largest yacht marina in Auckland, and also the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The marina has nearly two thousand berths and swing moorings, and tends to be continually booked. Auckland, known as 'City of Sails', is generally known for its maritime passions. In 2008, the marina received its second-time-running international 'Blue Flag award' for its water quality, environmental management and safety standards. It is one of 640 marinas worldwide (and the only marina in New Zealand) to have received the award.
This is part 23 out of a series of 50. Next city tomorrow: Amsterdam.
0 reacties:
Post a Comment