Hire a campervan from Auckland.

Sea kayak or paddle out to New Zealand’s youngest volcano, Rangitoto Island. Get your heart rate up with jet boating or sail on an America’s Cup racing yacht and admire the city landscape at full speed.

Go abseiling down waterfalls with AWOL Canyoning Adventures. Whether you’re experienced or a total beginner, there’s something for every adventurer.

Get your heart pumping with SkyJump – New Zealand’s highest base jump – or the incredible SkyWalk, where you’ll walk around the exterior of the Sky Tower with nothing between you and the ground but a rope and a 1.2m – wide platform – this is extreme sightseeing at its best.

Climb up, under and over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The perfect way to finish – take the plunge off the Auckland Harbour Bridge with AJ Hackett Bungy, New Zealand’s only ocean-touch bungy.

Ever wondered how it feels to come face-to-face with predators? Then try swimming with sharks at Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium. If you’re not brave enough, go for an intimate on-the-ice encounter with the cute penguins.

Combine exercise, fresh air and beautiful scenery with cycling and mountain biking around Auckland. Check out the best viewpoints in the city or, for something more adventurous, try some of the many mountain bike trails throughout the region.

Head to Snowplanet, Auckland’s only all-year indoor snow resort and test your ski or snowboard skills. There’s also tobogganing and tubing – great if you’ve got kids in tow – and a cosy restaurant and bar to refuel at afterwards.

Get behind the wheel for an off-road driving adventure through forests and beaches – you’ll find great scenery and get your heart rate up at the same time.

With more than 20 rides and attractions, there’s something for all ages at Rainbow’s End theme park. If you’re a thrill seeker the Stratosfear and Fear Fall are just the ticket; if you’re after family-friendly rides you can’t go past the Log Flume and the Pirate Ship.

There’s no cooler way to see the sights than from the back of a Harley Davidson. Head along the city waterfront or ride out to the wild west coast with Bularangi Harley Tours.

Hire a kayak and paddle out to Rangitoto Island, a dormant volcano not far from downtown Auckland (you can also get there by ferry). Walk up the old lava flows to the summit for spectacular views across the harbour and back to the city.

The Coast to Coast Walkway crosses New Zealand’s narrowest neck of land. Start in Viaduct Harbour on Auckland’s east coast and travel west through urban landscapes, beautiful parklands and over dormant volcanoes to finish 16km later at Manukau Harbour.

Start your day with a refreshing swim at Mission Bay on Auckland’s east coast, where calm, golden sands and sparkling waters make for perfect morning dips. Then, drive just an hour to Piha on Aucklands  wild west coast, known for dramatic black sand, and world-class surfing.

Just a 35-minute ferry ride and you’re in Waiheke Island, Auckland’s island of wine. This slice of paradise is a haven of beautiful island beaches and some 30 wineries. Join a wine tasting tour and linger over a vineyard lunch, with gorgeous views to match.

Catch these cuties at Kelly Tarlton’s SEALIFE Aquarium, as well as the world’s only display of Spiny Sea Dragons, the biggest species of stingray on the globe, and an underwater aquarium of colourful fish. Watch the sharks at feeding time – or book your own shark dive.

Discover more than 1000 taonga (treasures) at the Auckland Museum – the largest collection in New Zealand (and the world). From small precious artefacts to an original full-size marae (meeting house) and waka (canoe), this is a fascinating glimpse into early Māori culture.

Once a private rehabilitation centre, Rotoroa Island was re-opened to the public in 2005 after nearly 100 years. Wander through the new exhibition centre and museum, visit the historic chapel and jail house, and walk along beautiful white-sand beaches and bush trails.

Not only is Great Barrier Island a place of incredible beauty, it’s also the first island in the world to be designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary – joining only two other locations. The island is off the grid and with minimal outdoor lighting, it’s a dream destination for star-gazers to take in the stunning night skies.

We’ve got the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. Explore the authentic villages representing different Pacific Island nations at the annual Pasifika Festival, browse the food and art stalls and catch live music and dance.

Yes it’s an active field but don’t worry, our 48 volcanic cones are dormant (the last eruption was about 600 years ago). They’re the most distinctive features of our landscape, providing beautiful green spaces, walking trails, picnic spots and the best views in the region.

With stunning views of Rangitoto Island and the Waitemata Harbour, Takapuna has the perfect vibe for a laid-back beachside brunch or afternoon activities on the beach. Try stand-up paddle boarding, take a dip, relax in a café, or hit the shops for stylish clothing and homewares.

Hop on a ferry to the seaside village of Devonport to wander through the art galleries or shop for unique quality clothing and jewellery. Take a scenic walk to the top of Mt Victoria or North Head, two of Auckland’s volcanic cones, for 360-degree views out into the Hauraki Gulf and back the city.

The crystal clear water at Goat Island Marine Reserve makes it the perfect spot for snorkelling and diving. Get up close to the colourful sealife and learn more about this special environment at the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre. If you prefer to stay dry, hop on the glass bottom boat or paddle in a clearyak (a clear kayak).

Stop off at Snowplanet, an indoor ski resort where you can go skiing, snowboarding or tobogganing any time of year – perfect for a family outing. If you’re looking for that summer feeling, drive to Orewa for water and beach activities followed by a café lunch across the road. Later, relax at Waiwera geothermal hot pools or have some fun on the hydroslides.

Start with delicious artisan foods from Matakana Village Farmers’ Market (on every Saturday) then stroll through the village’s shops, visit the art and craft galleries, have coffee or lunch at a stylish café, or catch a movie at the gorgeous boutique cinemas – complete with chandeliers and gourmet ice cream. Afterwards, head to one of Matakana’s boutique vineyards for a wine tasting overlooking the vines, or combine art and wine at Brick Bay Sculpture Trail.

Drive north to Tāwharanui Regional Park to relax on idyllic white-sand beaches. Surf or swim at Omaha’s beach or try one of the many walks around the park, suitable for different levels of fitness. Make sure you bring a picnic as there are no shops nearby – there are plenty of insta-worthy spots along the way though. With no city lights or houses, Tāwharanui is a great area to star gaze if you’re staying longer.

Take a ride along the long white-sand beach at Pakiri – make it an hour, half a day or a full-day ride to really explore. If horse riding’s not your thing, bring your surfboard and catch a few waves, or take a stroll along the water’s edge and watch the horizon for whales and dolphins often spotted swimming in the area. The beach is unpatrolled so make sure you’re not surfing or swimming alone.

This quiet gem in the Hauraki Gulf is just a short ferry ride from Sandspit near Warkworth. Previously politician Sir George Grey’s private residence in the 1860s, you can now walk through the fully restored historical Mansion House and the surrounding gardens of exotic tropical plants and trees introduced after his travels. Kawau’s calm, clear waters are great for fishing, swimming or cruising the beautiful bays.

Explore Shakespear Regional Park at the tip of Whangaparaoa Peninsula for beautiful scenery, perfect picnic spots, scenic walks and sweeping views of the Hauraki Gulf. Further north you’ll find Wenderholm Regional Park – relax on the beach, picnic under a huge pohutukawa tree and explore the historic Cauldrey House. For something a bit different, hire a kayak from Puhoi and paddle your way up the river to Wenderholm.

North west of the city centre is superb food, wine, adventure and scenery. Priority is a wine tasting experience in one of Kumeu’s vineyards or a bite to eat at Riverhead’s historic tavern or Hallertau Brewbar and Restaurant. Next, challenge yourself in Woodhill Forest with mountain biking, horse riding, or the rope courses and flying foxes at Tree Adventures. And if you just want to take it easy, head to Muriwai Beach to take in the beautiful clifftop views