This first-class marina, built to host the America’s Cup in 2000, offers the luxurious sight of yachts mooring in front of its restaurant terraces and shop windows. Viaduct Harbour, a lively and fashionable spot, embodies Auckland’s version of la do..

The New Zealand National Maritime Museum recounts the country’s naval history from its first pirogue to the America’s Cup. Don’t miss the pitching reconstitution of the inside of a ship. You can take a boat ride on several of the historical ships. Ca..

The thriving Auckland Art Gallery is a must if you’re eager to learn more about New Zealand art from its origins to the present day. Its neighbour, the New Gallery, is devoted to the contemporary era. International masters have been added to the fine..

The Auckland War Memorial Museum, dedicated to victims of the First World War, stands in the verdant Auckland Domain. Its Neoclassical façade also contains fascinating ethnological and scientific collections as well as exceptional Maori objects. Chil..

Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World is sensational and pedagogical. After a tracked vehicle tour of the penguins on their ice floe, you’ll walk amongst the marine animals in a transparent tunnel. You’ll never again see a shark th..

As its name indicates this extinct volcano, an ancient Maori site, was topped by a lone tree that was scrupulously replaced decade after decade. While the last tree has gone, One Tree Hill and its obelisk still dominate Cornwall Park. Acacia Cottage,..

Henderson Valley is one of the country’s most prolific wine-growing regions. The Balkan and Lebanese names of its first winemakers are combined with the names of French grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. A fun gastrono..

Untamed nature takes over in the outskirts of Auckland along the capricious Tasmanian Sea. The waves break on popular Piha Beach (be careful here), superbly framed by Whatapu, Karekare (filmed in The Piano ), Bethells Beach and Muriwai Beach.

The islands in the Hauraki Gulf spread out in unparalleled splendour across from Auckland . Sixty lovely spits of land to explore, from inhabited islands (Waiheke) and ecological sanctuaries (Tiritiri Matangi, Little Barrier) to extinct volcanos (Ra..

Although connected to Auckland by a fleet of airplanes and ferries, Great Barrier Island, far off in the Hauraki Gulf , has lost none of its rugged beauty. Modern comforts are unknown here. Its pristine beaches and unique wildlife more than make u..

Careful, this is a major site! The treaty that founded the nation of New Zealand was signed here in1840. The launching of Ngatoki Matawhaorua , one of the largest known war canoes (35m), is the high point of the commemoration, held on 6 February in ..

Imposing Cape Reinga, at the northern tip of the country, is a site steeped in Maori beliefs. This is where the souls of the deceased are believed to depart from on their journey to the Hawaiki of their ancestors. The stormy boundary between the Paci..

Ninety Miles Beach south of Cape Reinga holds a national record. With its 96km of sand and dunes stretching along the west coast, it is the country’s longest beach, attracting fishing, swimming, cycling and mountain biking enthusiasts - a boundless ..

The Auckland road goes through majestic Waipoua Kauri Forest, shaded by the world’s oldest kauri trees. Te Matua Ngahere (“the father of the forest”) has proudly upheld its 2,000 years while others are over a thousand years old. Needless to say, th..

You know you’re at the picturesque Clapham National Clock Museum because of the chiming clocks. The museum, on the marina, contains an abundant collection of clocks, certain pieces dating back to the 17C, including some exceptional music boxes.

The Waitomo Caves are an amazing and thrilling place for underground exploration. In addition to the superb concretions including stalactites and stalagmites, there are vaults “illuminated” by glow worms and a “black” river where rafting takes on a w..

In the 19C this strip of volcanic land, washed by the Pacific, was seized with gold fever. Nowadays Coromandel lives from tourism, fostered by its landscapes, magnificent beaches (Cathedral Cove) and prolific arts and crafts (in Coromandel).

Two natural hot springs have transformed Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula into a free and very popular spa. Grab a shovel to dig a pool in the sand, a bucket to cool off the 64°C hot spring water with sea water, sit back and relax!

The Bay of Plenty, well named by Captain Cook, curves around the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula . It is dotted with superb beaches and marinas, and is also a centre for kiwi production (in Te Puke). Tauranga is its dynamic yet relaxing cap..

A visit to Whakarewarewa, where the Maoris have long enjoyed the natural springs, will give you an idea of the thermal activity of Rotorua . The village is coupled with the fascinating Te Puia, an arts and crafts centre where you can watch the Maori..