AUCKLAND

While many first time visitors to New Zealand skip Auckland and head straight to the more remote areas of the North Island or south to Queenstown, I suggest staying in the city for a few days. Auckland’s countless wineries, contemporary restaurants, trendy neighborhoods like Ponsonby and gorgeous topography like Mt. Eden are worth making a stop for. It also may be the only city in the country with more people than sheep, ha.

At the top of Mt. Eden

H|B INSPIRATION TIDBITS

Taste | the finest wine from the region and discover more of Auckland on a private tour with the NZWinePro H|B tidbit: New Zealand is home to ~725 wineries across 9 regions that make up the country’s booming $1.5 billion winery business. The islands are known for their white wines – think chardonnay, pinot gris and Gewurztraminer.

Jog | around St. Mary’s Bay by the Auckland Bridge and past the yachts lined up on Westhaven Drive for a harbor-side workout (sample 4 mile route here)

Sip | a Samoan Sunblock and snack on steamed pork belly buns with wok-charred broccoli at The Blue Breeze Inn

Hike | up to Mount Eden’s volcanic cone, the city’s highest natural point, for a 360-degree view of the city H|B tidbit: Auckland is built on a volcanic field of ~50 volcanoes! Read more here.

Combine with | a trip around the North Island, Queenstown and the South Island, Sydney or Fiji

On a personal note | Watch me explore New Zealand and Australia with my husband here and read more about my time in Auckland here.

Pomegranate muesli at Bambina Coffee in Ponsonby

West Brook Winery

At the top of One Tree Hill in Cornwall Park

Kumeu River Winery

Provenance – farm-to-table restaurant

Driving on the wrong side of the car, wrong side of the road

Muriwai Beach