Auckland, New Zealand

By Shelley Erskine - Tourism Auckland 24 September 2010

Auckland’s sparkling waters, varied landscapes and cosmopolitan city life combine to make it one of the most desirable places in the world to live or visit. New Zealand’s largest city isn’t easily defined by a single experience because it has such astonishing variety on offer. And it’s all so accessible. Within half an hour of standing on a bustling city street you could be exploring one of the harbour's islands, on a boat dolphin watching, walking through native forest or sipping wine at a vineyard in the countryside.

Auckland is affectionately known as the ‘City or Sails’ and it’s the ideal destination to get intimate with the ocean, join the crew on a genuine America’s Cup racing yacht. Or back on dry land, at Auckland’s heart lays a truly international, cosmopolitan city of the South Pacific. It’s a shopper’s paradise, home to countless designer stores featuring world-renowned names alongside top New Zealand designs. And if food and wine is your thing, Auckland is your dream come true. Great cuisine and the finest wines are in abundance in the city’s cafés and restaurants.

Auckland’s blend of islands, ancient rainforest, Polynesian culture, glistening harbours and a modern city environment creates an unbelievable holiday.