Auckland

A 40-minute ferry from downtown lands you on Waiheke, Auckland's blissful island playground — a sun-drenched isle of world-class vineyards, olive groves, art galleries and gorgeous golden beaches. Spend the day wine-tasting at hilltop cellar doors with sweeping sea views, lunching long and lazy, and swimming in turquoise bays. The single best day out from the city and a highlight of any trip; go on a wine tour or hire a bike, and don't miss the beaches. Idyllic and unmissable.

The soaring 328 m Sky Tower dominates the skyline — ride up to the observation decks (some with glass floors) for a breathtaking 360° view over the harbours, the volcanic cones and the Hauraki Gulf islands, or, for the brave, do the SkyWalk around the rim or the SkyJump base-jump off it. The definitive Auckland overview and orientation; go at sunset for the city lights, or dine in the revolving restaurant. A thrilling, unmissable centrepiece of downtown. The classic first stop.

New Zealand's grandest museum, crowning the green Domain in a majestic neoclassical building — with a superb, world-class collection of Māori and Pacific treasures (including a great carved war canoe and meeting house), natural history, and moving war galleries. Crucially, it hosts a daily Māori cultural performance of song, dance and the haka. The essential introduction to Māori and Pasifika culture and New Zealand's story; a rich, unmissable few hours. Don't miss the cultural show.

The perfect volcanic cone that defines Auckland's harbour view — Rangitoto, the youngest and largest of the city's volcanoes, erupted from the sea just 600 years ago. Take the short ferry across and hike up through eerie black lava fields and regenerating forest to the summit crater for a stunning panorama over the gulf and the city. A wonderful half-day of volcanic wilderness within sight of downtown; wear sturdy shoes and bring water. A dramatic, only-in-Auckland adventure.

Barely an hour from downtown lie some of the country's most dramatic beaches — the wild, black volcanic-sand surf beaches of Piha, Karekare and Bethells on the rugged west coast, backed by the rainforest-clad Waitākere Ranges. Pounding surf, towering Lion Rock, moody cliffs and native bush make for spectacular walks, surfing and photography (swim only between the flags — the rips are fierce). A breathtaking, wild escape into nature so close to the city; a quintessential Auckland day out.

Auckland's revitalised harbourfront is the heart of the 'City of Sails' — the Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter, ringed by superyachts, restaurants and bars, where America's Cup history lives and the city comes to eat, drink and stroll by the water. A lovely spot to promenade, watch the boats, dine on fresh seafood and soak up the maritime buzz, especially at sunset; wander from the ferry terminal along the water. The city's most enjoyable, breezy outdoor scene.

The highest of Auckland's volcanic cones and the best free viewpoint in the city — climb (on foot) up the grassy Maungawhau to peer into its deep crater and drink in a 360° panorama over the whole city, its harbours and the ring of other volcanic cones. A sacred Māori site and former terraced pā (fortified village), it's a lovely, easy walk and a superb way to grasp Auckland's extraordinary volcanic geography. Free, beautiful and unmissable; go on a clear day.

A short, scenic ferry across the harbour lands you in Devonport, a charming Victorian seaside village of heritage villas, cafés, boutiques and bookshops — climb the two little volcanic cones (Mount Victoria and North Head) for the best possible views back across the water to the city skyline. The ferry ride itself is a delight, and the village makes a lovely, relaxed half-day of strolling, coffee and coastal views. A picture-perfect, easy escape from downtown. Charming and worth the trip.

The city's oldest and grandest park, sprawling across an ancient volcano — the Auckland Domain, with sweeping lawns, mature trees, sports fields, the grand museum on its crown, and the lovely Victorian Wintergardens glasshouses full of exotic ferns and flowers. A beautiful green heart of the city for a stroll or picnic, and the setting for summer concerts; combine it easily with the museum. A peaceful, leafy escape right beside the centre, and free. A lovely couple of hours.

Auckland's hippest neighbourhood — leafy Ponsonby Road, a mile-long strip of the city's best restaurants, cafés, cocktail bars, boutiques and galleries in restored villas, with the buzzing Ponsonby Central food hall at its heart. The place to eat, drink and shop like a local, with a relaxed, stylish vibe; café-hop by day, dine and bar-hop by night, and browse the design shops. The beating heart of Auckland's superb food-and-drink scene. A delicious, stylish afternoon and evening.

Auckland eats brilliantly — a multicultural food scene fusing fresh New Zealand produce and seafood (green-lipped mussels, snapper, crayfish, lamb), superb coffee and brunch culture, excellent Pacific and Asian food, and the traditional Māori hāngī (earth-oven feast). Graze Ponsonby Central, the Britomart precinct and the harbourside restaurants; pair it with cool-climate NZ wines from Waiheke and beyond. Fresh, diverse and world-class, it's one of the city's great pleasures. Come hungry.

Auckland lives on the water, and getting out onto the sparkling Hauraki Gulf is a joy — hop a ferry between the islands and villages, take a harbour cruise, or, best of all, go sailing on a former America's Cup yacht and even take the helm. The 'City of Sails' is best understood from a boat, with the skyline, the volcanoes and the gulf islands all around. A quintessential, breezy Auckland experience; even the humble Devonport ferry delivers a wonderful ride and view.

Auckland's oldest suburb, Parnell, is a graceful pocket of restored heritage buildings housing boutiques, galleries, cafés and restaurants along a leafy rise, with the lovely Parnell Rose Gardens and the historic wooden cathedral nearby. A charming, elegant area to stroll, browse and lunch, a world away from the downtown bustle and handy to the museum and Domain; the rose gardens are a delight in bloom. A pleasant, refined afternoon in one of the city's prettiest quarters.

Auckland's nights are relaxed and varied — cocktail and craft-beer bars in the Britomart and Viaduct precincts, buzzing Ponsonby, the student-heavy K'Road (Karangahape Road) for its edgy, LGBTQ-friendly clubs and live music, and waterfront spots for a sunset drink. Easygoing and fun rather than raucous; start with a harbourside drink, dine in Ponsonby, then hit the bars of K'Road or Britomart. A pleasant, sociable way to round off a day. Something for every mood.

A much-loved aquarium built into old harbourside sewage tanks, famous for its pioneering walk-through glass tunnels — stroll beneath sharks, stingrays and shoals of fish, and meet the resident gentoo and king penguins in a sub-Antarctic snow enclosure. Fun and engaging, especially with kids, and a nod to the region's rich marine life; a good rainy-day or family option a short ride from downtown along the waterfront. An enjoyable couple of hours by the sea. A family favourite.