Auckland New Zealand Virtual Tour

Mount Eden and One Tree Hill

The two best views of the city can be had from Mount Eden and One Tree Hill. Both are volcanic cones that were once the site of Maori pas, or fortified villages (evidence of the pas can still be seen at both places).

Mount Eden is a 200 metre high volcanic structure that is the highest point in Auckland, and which easily affords the best view of the city. From its summit you can get a full, panoramic, 360 degree view of the city's bays, islands, hills and cityscape. It is also right next to Eden Gardens, a very attractive park with some nice rose and flower gardens planted in the rich volcanic earth.

One Tree Hill is so named after a lonely pine tree that grows on the summit. The tree is the burial site of one of Auckland's 'founding' fathers, Sir John Campbell, who played an important part in the city's early development.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge

This is one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. A 4-lane highway built in 1959, it soon became congested with traffic. Luckily, a firm of Japanese engineers came to the rescue and figured out a way of adding extra lanes to the bridge. Locals call the extension the 'Nippon Clip-on', in a tone of humorous appreciation.

Auckland Domain

The Auckland Domain is a very large park near the centre of the city full of trees, gardens and playing fields. It also houses, or is very near, several places well worth visiting in Auckland, and one can thus spend the best part of a day or two exploring this area of the city. The Domain hosts the Winter Gardens, and several glasshouses full of tropical plants.

Auckland Museum is located on a hill in the South East part of the Domain. The museum is one place particularly worth visiting in Auckland. It has the world's largest collection of Polynesian artifacts, as well as a great display of objects relating to New Zealand's natural history. It also houses a Children's Discover Centre. There is also a 30 metre long Maori war canoe which was originally carved from a single totara tree some 150 years ago. Tours of the Maori exhibit are provided, and at 11.15am and 1.30pm daily the Pounamu Maori dance group performs in the museum.

Auckland University, the largest university in New Zealand is located just across the road to the North West of the Domain. A number of events and performances are held there, most of which are open to the public.

Parnell Village

Parnell Village is just a few minutes to the West of the Domain. This area contains some of the best known historic sites in the city. There you can see the first settlers' houses, church, and cemetary. These days Parnell has some of the best (and most expensive) restaurants, and is a pretty trendy area full of Victorian buildings, galleries, antique shops and arts and crafts.