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New Zealand’s City of Sails
With its mesmerising views, it's little wonder that this region was chosen to be the set for the Lord of the Rings. Take in the beauty of the city from the 328-metre Sky Tower where you can also base jump or leap off an inverted bungee. Go on to Queen Street, the main street towards downtown, and shop at the Queens Arcade. Then stop by the Auckland Town hall, a stroll away from Albert Park – home to the Auckland City Art Gallery, the Heritage Gallery, the New Gallery and the Bruce Wilkinson Collection. Southeast of the centre is the 202-acre Auckland Domain featuring some great must-sees, including the Auckland Museum.
For a 360-degree panorama of the city, go up Mount Eden, Auckland's highest natural point. Next, head towards Herne Bay and Ponsonby where chic cafes and bars offer excellent excuse to let your hair down. The ‘living' Howick Historical Museum meanwhile is excellent for its charming period buildings. A stone’s throw away, the Hauraki Gulf Islands, the Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Islands hold their very own in their interpretations of enthralling beauty.
