If you take the time to travel half way around the world to visit New Zealand, the best way to spend your time there is to rent an apartment and see the country. Auckland makes a brilliant base; located in the north of the country, it is built on 48 extinct volcanoes, with two harbours and a perfect cosmopolitan blend of Polynesian, European and Asian cultures.
Auckland offers all the excitement and modern facilities of a major city with the wonder and surprise of its stunning, rugged, tropical rainforest minutes outside the city boundaries. Although the lava ceased flowing millennia ago you can still stand on top of the still visible calderas of Mount Eden, Albert Park and the Auckland Domain.
Auckland itself is known as the “City of Sails” and the harbours of Waitemata and Manukau are full of opportunities to take cruises or sail around the coastline, go diving in the clear blue waters or go on a trip dolphin and whale spotting. The old British fort at North Head, on Manukau harbour, makes for a great family day out climbing over the defences and gun batteries. The site is now a nature reserve and one of Auckland’s favourite places for a spot of lunch.
Recent years have seen a growth of apartment rental in Auckland. Fans of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy now flock to the islands to walk the sets and countryside made famous by the film and there are a number of epic landscapes within easy reach of the city that were used in the movie.
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