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A harbour city with culture galore
New Zealand's largest city is more than just a gateway to the rest of the country. Auckland is a vibrant hub that combines the natural beauty of yacht-speckled harbours and wild, rugged beaches with multicultural galleries, museums and festivals that celebrate the city's diversity.
Fun things to do: Auckland
- Get a taste of Auckland's food scene, from cheap eats to fine dining
- Head out on the harbour and island-hop in the Hauraki Gulf
- Grab your surfboard and explore Auckland's rugged west-coast beaches
- Experience local art, history and culture at Auckland's galleries and museums
- Head up the Sky Tower for stunning views and a hefty dose of adrenaline
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Go wining and dining
Waterfront precinct Wynyard Quarter.
Tuck into some of Auckland's many culinary experiences, from the casual cool bistros on Karangahape Road to the brightly lit Chinese restaurants lining Dominion Road. Eclectic neighbourhoods like Wynyard Quarter, Ponsonby and Britomart offer options that include (among other things) fresh seafood, modern Indian cuisine, locally brewed beers or work-of-art gelato. Grab the ferry to Waiheke Island to sample some of New Zealand's best wines, washed down with an oyster or two.
Island-hop in the Hauraki Gulf
Explore Rangitoto's rocky shoreline by kayak.
Auckland is a harbour city through and through, and the sparkling Hauraki Gulf, peppered with emerald islands, is a wonderland of water activities and outdoor adventures. Get out on the harbour on a cruise or grab a kayak and explore the bays yourself. Step carefully over ancient lava flows on Rangitoto Island, go looking for colourful native birdlife on Tiritiri Matangi, or find a glorious white-sand beach on Great Barrier Island.
Surf the west-coast beaches
See the gannets nesting on the clifftops at Muriwai between August and May.
Load up the surfboards and make the scenic drive to Auckland's west coast, where the beaches are wild, windswept and covered with striking black sand. Piha, about 40km from downtown Auckland, is particularly popular with surfers, but it's also prime for bracing beach walks and hiking in the surrounding rainforest. Other west coast highlights include the gannet colony at Muriwai and Karekare, where Oscar winner The Piano was filmed.
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Wellington
As the saying goes, you can't beat Wellington on a good day! This hilly harbourside capital offers outdoorsy fun, cultural kicks and all the great food and coffee you can consume.
Queenstown
Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, at the foot of towering mountains, Queenstown is a playground for thrillseekers and nature lovers at any time of the year.
Christchurch
While perfectly placed to explore some of New Zealand's most stunning landscapes, Christchurch's manicured gardens, stately architecture and rejuvenated centre make it a destination all on its own.
Dunedin
Dunedin, with its castle, breweries and windswept coastline, is a slice of Scotland Down Under. Get a taste of the city's vibrant student buzz or use it as a base to explore the rugged south coast.
Melbourne
Discover Melbourne, a city fuelled by coffee and crazy about sports, art, live music and laneway bars. Eat at the latest fine diner, shop at high-end stores or catch a big-ticket theatre show.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is 100% fun in the sun. Dive right into its incredible surf beaches, family-friendly theme parks, holiday resorts and knockout national reserves.
Sydney
With wow factor to burn, Sydney is one of the world's great cities. With that glorious harbour, stunning Opera House and postcard-perfect beaches, it's a destination sensation.