Auckland itineraries

Harbour and Volcano Day

Take in the whole city from the Sky Tower, cross by ferry to Devonport, climb a volcanic cone, then finish on Mount Eden at dusk. One day is enough to see why they call it the City of Sails.

Museum and Winery Island

Day one is the museum on the Domain hill and the lanes of Parnell and Britomart. Day two is Waiheke Island, 40 minutes by ferry, with a glass of wine above the sea. Stay in Britomart and walk to the ferry terminal.

Out to the Black-Sand Coast

Base yourself in Ponsonby. Day one is the neighbourhood and the zoo, day two a hire car to the gannet cliffs and Piha's black sand, day three the summit of Rangitoto. City, bush and sea, one each day.

Festivals & seasons

• 1 — High summer on the beaches
• 1 — Auckland Anniversary Regatta
• 2 — Auckland Lantern Festival
• 3 — Pasifika Festival
• 3 — Round the Bays
• 3 — SYNTHONY Festival
• 6 — Matariki
• 7 — Winter rains
• 8 — Muriwai gannet nesting season
• 10 — Auckland Diwali Festival
• 11 — Auckland Marathon
• 12 — Pōhutukawa in bloom

Souvenirs

• Mānuka honey
• Waiheke wine
• Pounamu (greenstone) pendant
• Merino-possum knitwear
• Whittaker's chocolate
• Atomic coffee beans
• All Blacks jersey
• Otara Market crafts and island food