Auckland

The Kiwis might not have chosen Auckland for their capital (that honour went to Wellington) but as NZ's largest city it's still the main gateway to the superlative attractions of their country.

Sprawled around bays and harbours among volcanic hills on the North Island, it's not without plenty of its own charms either.

A bustling waterfront, multicultural shopping and dining, casual yet cosmopolitan nightlife, the Skytower and unmissable Auckland Museum are just a few of the reasons Aucklanders are mad about their home town.

As a visitor from distant lands, however, you'll probably want to explore a little further afield.

You won't need to go far to escape the high-rises. To the east of the city, Tamaki Drive traces the coastline past some spectacular beaches, while to the west you'll find orchard, vineyard and surf turf.

A ferry from Waitemata Harbour will also whisk you off into the Hauraki Gulf, speckled winsomely with golden-fringed islands.

Thereafter, explore the surrounding countryside to see for yourself why the makers of the Lord of the Rings fantasy epics chose to shoot them in New Zealand.

Ancient forests, wind-whipped black sand beaches, vast craggy mountains, the sub-tropical Maori Northlands, the Pacific Coast Highway, and the famous Bay of Islands - all in amazingly unspoilt condition - await.

And that, by the way, is without setting a toe on the spectacular South Island...