Often mistaken for the capital of the country, Auckland is New Zealand’s epicentre of culture, found sprawling across the mainland of the north island and surrounding islands of the Hauraki Gulf. The central urban area of Auckland provides all the hallmarks of an international city, with boutique coffee shops, pokey galleries and impressive skyscrapers sitting elegantly beside the boat-filled harbour. Further afield the setting of Auckland changes dramatically, covering protected forests, dormant volcanoes, and rolling hills with views of the city. It’s this diversity that sees people falling in love with City of Sails, staying on to take sunset kayak trips, admire the world’s largest penguin colony and navigate the ‘coast to coast’ walk across the entire country in just 5-hours. The ultimate day trip offered by Auckland involves a ferry trip to Waiheke, dubbed the ‘isle of wine’ thanks to its numerous vineyards with open cellar doors. Gallery hoppers will flock between Crown Lynn & Clayworks Museum, Auckland Art Gallery and the Museum of Transport and Technology - taking in art, culture and history is all part of a typical day of Auckland activities. Meanwhile, a calendar of festivals drags in Kiwis and travellers alike, from a lantern festival that illuminates the sky to celebrations of Māori culture, culinary delights and alternative music. After all the exploring and activities demanded of a well-rounded trip to Auckland you’ll be left deserving some sweet food. Enter the country’s iconic culinary pieces of the ANZAC cookie, some hokey pokey ice-cream and a decadent serve of pavlova.