Your journey to New Zealand is most likely to start in Auckland, a thriving metropolitan city with one million inhabitants. It is sometimes called the “City of Sails” because of the abundance of yachts that cruise around the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf.
There are plenty of peaks and valleys to make the topography interesting, thanks to the 48 volcanoes (dormant) that make of the Auckland Volcanic Field – the base for the city. For a good view, take a trip up the 328-metre tall Sky Tower, the tallest free-standing tower in the Southern hemisphere. You’ll notice the lush green of the hills, the tiny outlying islands and surrounding turquoise waters. If you desire a bit of adventure, you can do the Sky jump, a cable controlled base jump from the 192 metre point of the tower.
Other thrills can be found at some of the cultural attractions of Auckland. The Auckland War Memorial Museum has a misleading name. It actually has an excellent range of exhibits that encompass Maori culture, 1.5 million natural history specimens (from dinosaurs to insects) and human history collections that include decorative arts, archaeology, and New Zealand social history. To sip some famous New Zealand wine, you don’t have to venture far. In West Auckland, there are a number of wineries that offer tastings, along with other perks like live music performance, gourmet dining and local handicrafts. As you explore this area, take your time and absorb the surrounding beauty. Buy fresh strawberries at a roadside stand, or stop for a swim at Piha Beach. Relaxed and stress-free, New Zealand is what every holiday should be.
A quick 35-minute trip to Waiheke Island gives visitors access to fantastic wineries and beaches.
New Zealand’s best fashion designers have set up shop downtown and offer designs that you are not likely to find back home.
Cows and sheep roam over Mount Eden, right in the centre of the city.