The first thing to notice when you see Auckland is the 1,076-foot-high Sky Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere offering amazing panoramic views. The area was settled by the Maori around 1350 and was settled by Europeans in the early 1800s. The land here is rich and fertile and the economy is good. Take a ferry to Waiheke Island, known for its beaches, forests, vineyards and olive groves or stroll along Ponsonby Street known for arts, cafes, culture and historic villas.