New Zealand is a veritable paradise made up of lush forests
, misty hills and clear rivers. It is the ideal place for ecotourism although the metropolitan areas are also quite popular. Auckland is located in New Zealand's North Island and is the biggest metropolitan region in the country. The city is built over a volcanic field that consists of almost fifty extinct volcanoes. The region is sometimes called the 'City of Sails' after the many yachts that frequent the Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbour. Auckland has quite a few interesting attractions such as the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the New Zealand National Maritime Museum and the Sky Tower.
The Sky Tower is an iconic local landmark. Built in 1997, the tower is over three hundred metres tall and is easily recognisable against the city's skyline. The Sky Tower receives approximately 1,500 visitors daily, nearly half a million annually, and is one of the most popular local attractions. There are two restaurants situated on the upper levels of the Sky Tower, this includes New Zealand's first revolving restaurant which does a complete rotation every hour. The tower has three observation decks at varying heights that offer breathtaking panoramic views of Auckland.
While the tower is a great place to get an aerial view of Auckland it is increasingly becoming popular for the SkyWalk and the SkyJump. The SkyWalk involves walking along a narrow walkway that runs around the tower roughly two hundred metres above the city. There is nothing to hold onto during the walk so the SkyWalk is absolutely not for the faint of heart. The SkyJump is even more exhilarating. The jump off the side of the building lasts about eleven seconds, although it may feel longer. The jump is guided with a cable which stops jumpers from crashing into the tower. Tourists looking for a little bit of adventure should definitely sign up for the Sky Tower's SkyWalk and SkyJump.
Tourists looking for a good central Auckland hotel will truly enjoy staying at the Copthorne Hotel Auckland City. The Auckland city hotel boasts a convenient location and is within easy reach of the city's business and shopping districts, making it the ideal place to stay.