Destination Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Auckland is regarded as New Zealand’s most cosmopolitan and vibrant city, so I expected something special. What greeted me was a place full of concrete and glass buildings and a melange of clashing architectural styles that were not going to win any prizes for their beauty. 

My first impressions were that it was old fashioned with splashes of chicness. However, after digging a little deeper Auckland won me over.

This is a city that seems to live its life in the present with few hints of its past. While the fabled Sky Tower, which has dominated Auckland's skyline for about 20 years, may not have been the most spectacular wonder I have ever cast my eyes over, just seeing it was emotional. 

Sky Tower seen from the waterfront

Here I was standing in front of a tower which, for many years, I have watched on the television bringing in the New Year with a marvellous firework display. For me it signified the past is not the direction to be going in, the future is.

From the waterfront the Sky Tower appeared majestic. The real draw of the city, I discovered, is that it is only a step away from the sea and beautiful beaches are within easy reach. 

A street in Auckland (seen in the rain)

Cross the Waitemata Harbour by way of the Auckland Harbour Bridge and you will be rewarded with stunning vistas of the city.

The waterfront, made up of Queens Wharf, Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct Harbour is a hive of activity. Watch cruise ships sail into port and ferries going back and forth to scenic places such as the Bay of Islands and Waiheke Island. Renowned in the 1970s as a place where arty, Bohemian types gathered, Waiheke Island now attracts visitors for its beaches and wineries.

The Waterfront

There are also restaurants and bars galore here. It is a lovely place in which to spend a few hours. It is hard to have a bad meal in Auckland. People here are really friendly so you will often find somebody wanting to strike up a conversation with you.

While Queen Street, the main shopping area, has a certain grittiness about it, Smith & Caughey’s, the city’s only remaining department store, is worth popping into. Housed in a lovely old building, it feels as if it is clinging on to a bygone era, but do not let that put you off as its merchandise is luxurious and the service good. It also has a super little café. 

Culture buffs will find some interesting museums here including the Auckland Museum renowned for its collection of Maori and Polynesian artefacts and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Opened in 1888, the collection includes historic and contemporary New Zealand art as well as featuring works by Māori and Pacific Island artists.

If you like walking you will like Auckland. It is an easy place to get around. While I did go to places in New Zealand that had more of a wow factor, Auckland’s energy and vitality were inspiring. And that had me hooked. 

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Which city you fly into in New Zealand will depend on where your tour starts from and therefore, which airline you choose. Highly recommended are Cathay Pacific cathaypacific.com and qantas.com The service and inflight experience is spot on. Ensure that the flight you book is operated by the company and not just code-sharing

The tour was part of the Grand Pacific Ultimate Small Group Tours which I booked through Trailfinders (trailfinders.com) as I did the flights

The advantage of travelling aboard the Ultimate Coach is that instead of carrying the normal 48 passengers, it only carries 20. You sit in comfort in leather fully-reclining seats so no neck ache at the end of a long day. (Distances are vast in New Zealand.) There is plenty of personal storage. It is much easier being in a small group, no hanging around waiting for people, no long queues for the loos, overall much cosier

Destination Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand

The glittering clear turquoise waters seemed to go on forever. Lush forests of kauri trees and sandy beaches carpeted the array of desolate islands that we cruised by. Dolphins keen to perform for their audience put on an amazing show keeping us entertained as we sailed around the Bay of Islands en route to the Cape Brett Lighthouse.

A highlight of the cruise had to be the fabled Hole in the Rock. The hole reminded me of an entrance to a cave. Reputedly, Māori warriors would paddle their canoes through the hole in the belief that it would bring them good luck in battle.

It is easy to see why this region is a top draw in New Zealand. It is a magical mix of stunning vistas, wildlife and colonial history.

Bay Of Islands

Named by Captain James Cook, this was where the first Europeans settled. On February 6 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi, an agreement between the British Government and the Māori chiefs for the country to become a British Colony, was signed. To this day the treaty is the foundation of race relations in New Zealand.

Waitangi is not only the country’s most important historical site, it is also one of its most beautiful. As I stood looking over the Bay of Islands a rainbow appeared. It was one of those times when you have to pinch yourself to ensure that you are not imagining it.

Hole in the Rock

After our four-hour cruise we headed to Russell, a quaint small town where you feel that time has stood still. Maybe that is because the town's streets have stayed true to the original layout and names from 1843. This was where the first European settled. It was also New Zealand’s first sea port and New Zealand's first capital in nearby Okiato.

Kororāreka, as it was formerly called, grew up due to trade with the ships that came from America and Europe. It quickly developed into a lawless community and “how sweet is the penguin” as its name translates became known as the Hell Hole of the Pacific. 

Treaty of Waitangi was signed here

Sitting on the terrace of the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, enjoying a delicious lunch, while devouring the harbour views, I reckoned that sailors and traders who came here in the 19^th century would be shocked to find the place that they knew has transformed into a refined holiday town that is awash with great restaurants and cute boutiques.

Later I took a leisurely stroll around the place, stopping at the Catholic Mission ‘Pompallier’, the country’s oldest surviving Roman Catholic building and now a working museum.

At the Christ Church, the oldest existing church in New Zealand, I saw musket ball holes from the New Zealand Land Wars, a stark reminder that this tranquil place was not always so.

Russell, a quaint small town where you feel that time has stood still

The hours whizzed by and soon it was time to take the ferry back to Paihia. This is a great place to make your base while visiting the area as it is easy to get around from here and as it is a reasonably-sized town, the facilities are good.

For adrenalin seekers you will find plenty of water sports to indulge in. For the less energetic you can take walks along the secluded beaches or head out to see the Haruru Falls or take a fishing trip.

The Bay of Islands is a sub-tropical paradise. It is the ideal place to unwind after a tour of New Zealand as this really is far from the madding crowd.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Which city you fly into in New Zealand will depend on where your tour starts from and therefore, which airline you choose. Highly recommended are Cathay Pacific cathaypacific.com and qantas.com The service and inflight experience is spot on. Ensure that the flight you book is operated by the company and not just code-sharing

The tour was part of the Grand Pacific Ultimate Small Group Tours which I booked through Trailfinders (trailfinders.com) as I did the flights

The advantage of travelling aboard the Ultimate Coach is that instead of carrying the normal 48 passengers, it only carries 20. You sit in comfort in leather fully-reclining seats so no neck ache at the end of a long day. (Distances are vast in New Zealand.) There is plenty of personal storage. It is much easier being in a small group, no hanging around waiting for people, no long queues for the loos, overall much cosier