One of New Zealand's most geographically blessed cities is located on a narrow strip of land near the west coast.
There are many islands and beaches within the city limits. Over 1.6 million people call it home, making it the most populous city in the nation. It's a place that's worthy of your time. You can spend a day or two in the city, but there's more to see and do in the surrounding area.
If you want to find the best parts of the city, hire a car and go to some of the places locals like to hang out. There are many things to do in New Zealand.
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One of the major attractions in the city is Mt Eden, which is one of the city's approximately 50 dormant volcanoes, and is both historically and spiritually significant to Mori. It is an easy walk up to the summit, where you can see a 50m crater.
You can join a hikoi (Mori walking tour) for special insight into this sacred place, and learn more about Mori culture, if you join the tour.
The skyline is dominated by the Sky Tower. The Sky Tower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New Zealand.
If you're looking for a unique experience, head up early in the morning for a yoga class on the observation level. You can see the islands silhouetted against the morning sky on clear days if you watch the sun rise. It's a great way to view the city.
If yoga isn't your thing, you can visit the Sky Tower at any time of the day or night. Visitors can even jump from the building's edge.
The night market is a great place to see some of the different cultures of New Zealand. They are usually held at different locations around the city and are all-weather. There are live performances, eclectic stalls, and the scent of different cuisines at the markets.
Go hungry and try different dishes from around the world to plan your visit. You can always find a wide range of Asian food on offer, with a mix of other flavors as well, including some Western favorites.
The West Coast is a 40-minute drive from the city center and contains some of the most amazing beaches in the country. The beach at Muriwai is long and dark. During the day, the black sand can get very hot, but late afternoon is a better time to visit.
If you arrive a little before sunset, you can walk up the cliff to see the gannet colony and catch a glimpse of the seals. As the sun starts to set, head onto the beach and walk along the water. The setting sun is reflected on the waves and dark sand in a way that is fascinating and strange. Lifeguards usually leave in the late afternoon, so be cautious if you are tempted to swim, and be aware that the currents are very strong.
The youngest volcano in New Zealand rose from the sea 600 years ago and can be seen from a lot of the city. With a 25-minute ferry ride from the city to the island, it's an easy option for a day trip.
The most popular activity on the island is hiking to the summit, and the trail only takes about an hour to reach the top. There are a number of trails on the island that you can take if you prefer a longer hike. There are no shops on the island so you have to bring food and drink with you.
The Fish Market is located in the Wynyard Quarter. Take your pick from the eateries and enjoy fresh fish the way you like it, whether that's sashimi, poke bowls, lobster rolls or traditional fish and chips.
On the weekends, you can often find live music at the restaurant. After you finish eating, take a stroll through the nearby Silo Park, where there are events in the summer and a playground for the little ones.
It takes 15 minutes to get from the city to the North Shore and the charming suburb of Devonport. Visitors can see the city from the water and appreciate the number of boats in the harbor by taking the ferry.
You can take a walk along the coast past the Navy Museum and up North Head if you want to see the city. Historic tunnels and military defenses were built during WWII. You can explore the colonial village and choose a local restaurant for lunch if you want.
The suburb of Ponsonby is a great place to shop if you like it. The street is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Ponsonby Road is a great place to hang out in the evening. The bars fill up fast and the people watching is great. There are some lovely places to eat if you stay a bit longer.
The bridge is named after it's location, which connects central to the North Shore. While the bridge is only open to cars, adventurous visitors can take a guided tour to the summit, where they can see the city from a different perspective. It can get very windy as you climb up, and it's a steep climb. Are you looking for a more intense thrill? You can leap from the bridge.
New Zealand's forests and natural features are well-known. The Hunua Ranges are an hour southeast of the city center. Both the Hunua Falls loop walk and the Cossey/Massey loop are good places to swim.
The trails go through the native bush with huge trees. You can take a picnic by the waterfall or next to the river. The kauri trees can be killed by the kauri dieback disease if you don't clean your shoes before entering the forest.
It is possible to eat fish and chips on the beach. Almost all of the beaches have a small fish-and- chips shop nearby. If you want your fish crumbed with a large scoop of chips, you'll have to pay for it.
Fish and chips followed by an after-dinner stroll along the sand is an extremely popular thing to do on Friday nights.
New Zealand's largest city is on our best of travel list. Some of the world's most exciting destinations can be found on this page.
The article was first published in December of 2011.
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