Auckland lies between two harbours -- Waitemata and Manukau -- and is almost completely surrounded by water.
Distinctively it carries the appellation of City of Sails. In 2000, it won the world-famous America’s Cup yacht race against finalist Italy to retain the Cup which it had won in the preceding series in 1995.
On a five-day tour of the North Island, the first day really belongs to Auckland.
Essential first stop
Queen St, running north to south, is the commercial heart of Auckland and it is here that you find the Auckland Visitor Centre at Aotea Square.
This is an essential first stop, unless you have done your homework thoroughly before arriving in New Zealand and know exactly where to go. Here, you will find all manner of information on what to see and do in Auckland, the City of Sails.
You may want to visit the Auckland museums and art galleries, the gardens, the historic buildings, the activity centres. You may want to drive up Mt Eden for a spectacular view of the city or the bald One Tree Hill with an obelisk dedicated to the Maori, or take a cruise on the harbour.
It is important to plan your day -- and night -- as you will be heading to the Bay of Islands in the morning.
