New Zealand is one of the top destinations on my husband’s bucket list, so I’ve been doing some research on planning a trip there. The city of Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city with a population of nearly 1.5 million. It is full of diversity and personality. Below are some of the top reasons you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit this magnificent city.
1. Adventures
There’s a myriad of daring adventures to be had. Helicopter rides, hiking, motorbiking, kayaking, and bungee jumping are just a few of the popular activities within the city.
2. Natural Beauty
You’ll find the city is brimming with natural beauty. Preserved parks, stunning gardens, sandy beaches, volcanoes, and beautiful alpine forests, make up most of Auckland.
3. Coastlines
The coastlines will leave you breathless. Auckland is almost entirely enclosed by vast waters, creating amazing coastlines nearly all around the city.
4. Waiheke Island
You must explore Waiheke Island. The island isn’t just sandy white beaches with huge rocks blanked in greenery. It’s full of art galleries, vineyards, and flavorful wines.
5. Auckland Zoo
The zoo is an exciting adventure. At the city zoo, you can visit over 1400 animals (135 species). Many of them are native to New Zealand.
6. Cuisine
Some of the most excellent restaurants are in Auckland. There are many award-winning restaurants and eateries throughout the city. You must try foods authentic to the nation, such as a Hangi dish or Lolly cake.
7. Art
There’s a lot of art to take in. From the Auckland Art Gallery to the smaller galleries downtown, there is so much to see. Just walking through the city, you’ll get to view a ton of street art, murals, and indigenous Maori treasures being sold all over.
8. Views
Beautiful panoramic views everywhere you go. No matter where you are, there’s an extraordinary panoramic view to be admired. The Sky Tower provides the most stunning of them all.
9. Markets
There are incredible markets open every day of the week. There are many diverse marketplaces throughout Auckland. Make sure you check them out for some great souvenirs.
10. Ports and harbors
The city has some of the nation’s biggest ports and harbors. As the “City of Sails,” you’ll undoubtedly notice the abundance of ports, harbors, and maritime activities.
11. Day trips
Many fascinating destinations can be easily accessed from Auckland. Just a few hours north of Auckland is the Bay of Islands, while in other directions, you can reach Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, and the Coromandel Peninsula.
Isn’t that last photo especially stunning? Is New Zealand on your bucket list? I would love to help you plan a trip. Please read how my planning services work here.
