Auckland
Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a sunny climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping youre beginning to get the picture of Auckland. Aucklands blend of islands, Polynesian culture, glistening harbours and modern city environment creates an unbelievable lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world.
The Auckland region is an antipasto of environments laid out on a huge platter to make one amazing city, boasting three harbours, two mountain ranges, 48 volcanic cones and more than 50 islands.
Aucklands population is approximately 1.3 million, making it by far the largest city in New Zealand, with one third of the countrys entire population.
Auckland
Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a sunny climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping youre beginning to get the picture of Auckland. Aucklands blend of islands, Polynesian culture, glistening harbours and modern city environment creates an unbelievable lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world.
The Auckland region is an antipasto of environments laid out on a huge platter to make one amazing city, boasting three harbours, two mountain ranges, 48 volcanic cones and more than 50 islands.
Aucklands population is approximately 1.3 million, making it by far the largest city in New Zealand, with one third of the countrys entire population.
Bay-of-Plenty
The Bay of Plenty lies east of the Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges and south of the Coromandel peninsula. Its a place of beautiful harbours, long white surf beaches and an easy going lifestyle. Everything you need for a perfect holiday is here - sun, sand, sea and a myriad of great places to eat and shop.
Across the harbour from Tauranga is Mount Maunganui - a volcanic cone on the end of a huge sand spit. The deep blue of the Pacific Ocean stretches as far as the eye can see, the vista interrupted only by surfers, wind surfers, small islands and boats carrying keen anglers in search of the stuff fishing legends are made of. Theres enormous scope here for adventure seekers.
On the journey east you will encounter Te Puke, "the kiwi fruit capital" of New Zealand. Then its on to the town of Whakatane and White Island, one of the most accessible active volcanos in the world. Steam billows from its main crater and spurts of ash keep things interesting for visitors.
Coromandel
An impressive, heavily forested mountain range runs right up the middle of this peninsula - its bordered on each side by kilometres of spectacular coastline. On the west coast, theres a never-ending parade of beaches, coves and harbours lined with pohutukawa trees (a red flowering native of New Zealand). The eastern side of the Coromandel is furnished with an amazing collection of white sand and surf beaches.