The best sights of Auckland and surroundings

Auckland is the gateway to New Zealand. Most tourists either start a tour to New Zealand from Auckland or finish it. Auckland has several unique traits. First of all, it is a business capital with a population of 1.5 million people, which is one third of the total population of the country. Auckland is known as the City of Sails because of its global leadership in the number of yachts per capita. It is also called the capital of Polynesia or home to the largest Polynesian community. The next title of the city of volcanoes arose due to its location on a volcanic plateau with 50 ancient volcanoes. Auckland is washed from the East by the Pacific Ocean, and from the West by the Tasman Sea. No less interesting is that Auckland consistently ranks among the top five cities in the world in terms of quality of life. More than 90% of people live in their homes, and around the city there are 35 regional parks with wild forests, waterfalls, endless beaches and other manifestations of picturesque subtropical nature. Below we offer several excursions both in Auckland and the surrounding area.

1. The best sights of Auckland - the city of sails and volcanoes (4 hours) This day you will dedicate to acquaintance with one of the most picturesque metropolises on our planet, which is consistently included in the top five cities in the world in terms of quality of life. You will see breathtaking panoramas as you climb ancient volcanoes. From a bird's-eye view of the gulfs of the Pacific Ocean extending into the horizon on one side and the bays of the Tasmanian Sea on the other. You will visit all four corners of the world, capturing in memory the most famous sights of the city. Your guide will acquaint you with the history of the former capital, show the most interesting and unique nooks – beaches, parks, historical areas and much more. Through the eyes of a local resident, you will experience the leisurely rhythm of life of citizens and learn why Auckland combines sails, volcanoes, business and Polynesian culture. If you wish, for an additional fee, we recommend climbing the Heavenly Tower, a man-made symbol of the city, as well as chatting with king penguins at the Antarctic Center - not only one of the best penguinariums in the world, but also an aquarium with local friendly (and not so) representatives of the underwater kingdom.

2. Auckland’s best attractions and Tasmanian coastline nature (8 hours) In the morning we are waiting for the Oakland City tour (see above). Then, after lunch (payment on site) at a local brewery or winery with a tasting of local drinks, it's time to get acquainted with the West Coast of the Tasmanian Sea. High cliffs of ancient volcanic rocks abruptly pass into the skyline beach of black volcanic sands. The foam waves of the “roaring forties” unleash infinite power on the earth’s stronghold. Right in front of us against the background of the sea horizon rise rocks of different shapes. As if to enhance the contrast, they are located colonies of booze, piercing cleat trying to shout the noise of the surf. With a guide, you will take walks through subtropical forests, a beach with black sand from the film “Pianino”, admire the picturesque waterfall, colonies of sea birds, get acquainted with the unique flora and fauna, history and geology. Back to Oakland tonight.

3. Full-day excursion to Rotorua (12 hours) Early in the morning, we meet with a Russian-speaking guide and go on a trip to Rotorua, which is translated from the Maori Roto Lake, Rua - the second or second lake that gave the name to the city of SPA, geothermal phenomena and Maori culture. This region is famous for the Valley of Geysers and the “flavor” of hydrogen sulfide. Meeting with the milk valley of the Waikato River, the birthplace of Anchor oil. The road leads through picturesque green hills – ideal pastures for numerous cows and sheep. A short stop in the town of Matamata, not far from which the Hobbitov from the movie “Lord of the Rings” was filmed. A little before reaching Rotorua, we will visit a New Zealand farm (additional option), where we will get acquainted with the life of farmers and become an expert in sheep and dog breeding, milking and feeding lambs. The world record for shearing sheep belongs to New Zealanders. You will also not be indifferent to the movement of shepherd dogs on the backs of sheep. It is better to see with your own eyes... Then we will climb the slope of an ancient volcano on the funicular (additional option). Here we recommend dining in a restaurant (pay on site) with wonderful views of the lake and the island of Mokoi, as well as the Tarawera volcano. After that, we are waiting for the famous Valley of Geysers - huge fountains with boiling water and seething mud pools (additional option). But that's not all. Here is the New Zealand Unikum - the Kiwi bird, as well as the workshops of the Institute of Crafts and the exemplary Marae - the center of culture of modern Maori tribes. We will take part in traditional Maori folklore, beginning with the ancient Pofiri salute. We will also visit the picturesque gardens of the Governor General with the wonderful museum of Rotorua, admire the black swans while walking along the embankment of Lake Rotorua. Then it's time to leave Rotorua and send it back to Auckland.

4. Excursion to the caves of Waitomo and Rotorua (12 hours) Early in the morning we meet with a Russian-speaking guide and go to the Waitomo region. Discovery of the world of caves (additional option), which became home not only to stalactites and stalagmites, but also amazing luminous creatures. These caves are included in the BBC film series Planet Earth and are among the most unique in the world. Even Bernard Shaw, who did not like loud words, was so amazed that he called them “the eighth wonder of the world.” We will go down to the cave and then by boat on the underground river will enter the grotto, where the walls and ceiling resemble the Milky Way on a clear night. Then we will climb the slope of an ancient volcano on the funicular (additional option). Here we recommend dining in a restaurant (pay on site) with wonderful views of the lake and the island of Mokoi, as well as the Tarawera volcano. After that, we are waiting for the famous Valley of Geysers - huge fountains with boiling water and seething mud pools (additional option). But that's not all. Here is the New Zealand Unikum - the Kiwi bird, as well as the workshops of the Institute of Crafts and the exemplary Marae - the center of culture of modern Maori tribes. We will take part in traditional Maori folklore, beginning with the ancient Pofiri salute. We will also visit the picturesque gardens of the Governor General with the wonderful museum of Rotorua, admire the black swans while walking along the embankment of Lake Rotorua. Then it's time to leave Rotorua and send it back to Auckland.

5. Excursion to Waitomo and Hobbiton caves (10 hours) Early in the morning we meet with a Russian-speaking guide and go to the Waitomo region. Discovery of the world of caves (additional option), which became home not only to stalactites and stalagmites, but also amazing luminous creatures. These caves are included in the BBC film series Planet Earth and are among the most unique in the world. Even Bernard Shaw, who did not like loud words, was so amazed that he called them “the eighth wonder of the world.” We will go down to the cave and then by boat on the underground river will enter the grotto, where the walls and ceiling resemble the Milky Way on a clear night. We continue the journey to a real fairy tale for adults - the location of the filming of the famous film "Lord of the Rings". We take a walk through a hobbit village surrounded by pastoral New Zealand landscapes (additional option) with comments, facts and curious stories. Even those of us who have never heard of Tolkien’s work or seen the legendary trilogy will not be disappointed. A worthy completion of the tour in the legendary Green Dragon pub with a mug of ale, beer or ginger drink. Then we head back to Oakland. The road leads through picturesque green hills with numerous herds of cows. Perfect pastures became the birthplace of Anchor oil.

6. Excursion to the Gulf of Islands (12 hours) In the morning we meet with a Russian-speaking guide and go to the Gulf of Islands. The journey to the north is accompanied by beautiful landscapes and cognitive stops. A village of immigrants from distant Bohemia with a small cheese factory, a honey center with the discovery of the legendary Manuka. Handertwasser's famous toilets. Arrival on the Bay of Islands - 144 islands harmoniously woven into one bay. Here we will land on the ship and begin a cruise on the picturesque bays with numerous islands (additional option). Several dolphin families have long considered it their home. Watching these amazing friendly creatures, as well as passing through a through cave near Cape Bret in favorable weather conditions. You can also choose a cruise with dolphins (additional option). Alternatively, you can choose an adventure on a speedboat (additional option), which will also give you more time to explore the Gulf of Islands region – the historical cradle of New Zealand. After the cruise, walk around the resort town. Then it's time to leave the Bay of Islands. Back to Oakland.

7. Excursion to the Coromandel Peninsula (12 hours) In the morning, we meet with a Russian-speaking guide and go on a trip to the Coromandel Peninsula, where the blue waves of the Pacific Ocean, the gold of the beaches and the greenery of the subtropics organically merged together. In summer, the water warms up to 25 degrees, making these places ideal for rest and swimming. First we will visit the famous beach, which at low tide turns into a spa with hot mineral water. Then we recommend traveling by sea kayaks or speed boat to the legendary Cathedral Bay (additional options, depending on the weather). Alternatively, take a walk through the subtropical forest along the coast. There's rest and bathing. It is time to return to Oakland in the evening.