Functioning as Auckland’s primary marine port of call, Waitemata Harbour forms a fascinating and historically significant aspect of this vibrant city in New Zealand. Auckland itself is an intriguing city to explore, and a central Auckland hotel situated close to world-class dining, entertainment and shopping is not hard to find. One option would be the Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbour City and its central location and elegantly-appointed interiors make it a choice hotel Auckland CBD for business and leisure visits. If you desire a break from the norm, embark on a harbour tour courtesy of the catamaran company 360 Discovery, which provides an avenue for adventuring off the mainland. You’ll get to explore the interiors of Coromandel, the nature conservatory Titiri Matangi and the charming heritage enclaves of Rotorua Island. The ports authority of Auckland also provides free tours of the Waitamata Harbour, a fun and educational excursion for the entire family as you can witness the operations of the port from a vantage point out at sea. These family-friendly cruises last for about an hour, during which you’ll get to witness the massive machinery such as cranes and other technological structures at work. It is an ideal way to experience this fascinating marine locale, whose name translates as obsidian glass, which is what the sparkling seas of the Huaraki Gulf looked like to the early Maori settlers on the island.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.