subject: Mount Victoria – Rising Above Auckland's North Shore [print this page] Mount Victoria Rising Above Auckland's North Shore
Relatively quiet and rather unassuming, Auckland is a place of sweeping green landscapes and volcano hills. A sprawling, lush, suburb; this city is New Zealand's largest and most diverse metropolis. A large Asian population amicably rubs shoulders with a larger Polynesian one. Aucklanders' affinity for open spaces and spacious houses meant that the city itself is spread out over a large area of land. Following no known structure, these haphazardly scattered buildings give off a sense of non-conformity and freedom that is rarely witnessed in other cities that are built according to rigid planning rules.
Born on the backs of volcanoes and lava ridges it is no surprise that Auckland is privy to some of the highest volcanoes in the country. Mount Victoria has the distinction of being the biggest on the side of the North Shore but not nearly as big as some other volcanoes scattered throughout the country. Rising up to a height of 87 m, this volcano last erupted around 20,000 years before. The ensuing lava flow cooled itself over waterfront that is now known as Davenport. The slopes of the volcano are also home to some of the earthworks can still be witnessed.
The volcano garnered its name after Queen Victoria and has been used over the years to house a signal point for concrete army bunkers, shipping and artillery placements. Some of the army bunkers are believed to have been constructed as early as the 1870s. The Davenport Sports Club has taken the use of one of the bunkers. The volcanic hill looks out over Auckland's inner Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbor, providing scenic views over the surrounding land. The Tennis Club that is mostly patronized by the locals has also been constructed on the slopes of this rather majestic volcano.
When looking for hotels in Auckland nz to spend the holiday in, one would do well to consider affordability, comfort and the surroundings. One of the Auckland hotels that offer all this and much more is The Langham Auckland. An elegant and distinguished hotel with a reputation that has been preserved throughout the years, this five star luxury hotel will offer the guest best in accommodation and service.
