The Hotel Britomart isn’t just an example of sympathetic design – the 104-room CBD property champions eco-conscious hospitality, too. Handcrafted ceramics decorate the small but ergonomic rooms, which have large picture windows and timber walls; sustainable Sans amenities are stocked in refillable bottles; and cloud-soft doonas and pillows are filled with microfibre from recycled plastic bottles.

Families will love a trip to Auckland Zoo, where there are 130 different species and more than 2800 animals to discover. Spread over 16 lively hectares, this expansive park will take the better part of the day to appreciate; helpfully, it’s less than 10 kilometres from the heart of Auckland.

Join Auckland Sea Kayaks’ sunset Rangitoto experience, which kicks off with a guided paddle from the seaside suburb of St Heliers to the city’s largest volcano. Once there, walk to the highest point on the island, tuck into a relaxed beach barbecue then kayak back under a vast canopy of stars with the twinkling skyline in the distance.

Fine wine and food, spectacular views and many adventures to be had. Add Auckland to your must-visit list. Find flights now at qantas.com.

The view of the city from the roof of the Auckland War Memorial Museum is “the ultimate in Auckland,” says guide Briar Gregory, who leads the Incredible Rooftop Tour. But to discover hidden treasures, book the Secret Museum Tour, which takes you to the basement to see some of the thousands of artefacts not on display. “The drawer of fish hooks, dating back to the 13th century, is not to be missed.”

You can’t miss this 328-metre-tall structure rising above Auckland’s harbour-edged CBD. It has retained its title as the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand delivering wonderful views of the city and Hauraki Gulf, up to 80 kilometres in every direction.

All the best that a big city has to offer with extra scenic harbours thrown in. Plan your getaway to Auckland now at qantas.com.

Te Arai, one of New Zealand’s luxury lodges, is just 90 minutes north of the CBD and has only three suites but six bathtubs. “You can never have enough of them,” says co-owner and host Vince Moore, who’ll greet you at the door, take you around the pool and gardens and serve seared Wagyu with duck-fat potatoes and wilted greens come dinnertime.

Watersports enthusiasts will love Shakespear Regional Park, where kayaking, fishing and boating opportunities abound against a backdrop of lovely sandy beaches. There are also several gentle walking tracks; the Tiri Tiri Trail leads wanderers past the grass-fringed shore and an old Maori settlement, before ending at the Tiritiri Matangi Island Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Hike up dormant volcanoes, connect with ancient culture, step to the edge of a tower and visit a vineyard-scattered island. Book your flight to Auckland now at qantas.com.

Hauraki Gulf is actually a 4000-square-metre-strong marine park, encompassing several islands and five marine reserves. Take a boat tour out of Auckland Harbour and you’ll (likely) be treated to pods of dolphins, orcas and whales, of which there more than 22 species to admire. Humpbacks make migratory appearances during the summer.

Auckland’s largest and youngest volcano is Rangitoto Island, an escape 25 minutes by ferry from Auckland Harbour. Activities here are varied and rewarding but none more so than climbing to the summit, which snakes through the world’s largest forest of pohutukawa, a stunning tree of bright red tufts.

Mount Eden (Maungawhau) is a natural choice for a lookout spot – it’s of tremendous cultural significance and the highest point in Auckland. There’s plenty to admire apart from the sweeping panorama: its cone-like crater, called Te Ipu Kai a Mataaho – the bowl of the Maori deity Mataaho, plunges 50 metres from its spot hundreds of metres above sea level. While you can explore the mountain on your own, Dane Tumahai’s Taupua tour will lead you on a guided walk (hikoi) through the wilderness while sharing the site’s rich Maori history.

Golfers can take their pick of several spectacular courses around Auckland. Book your flight now at qantas.com.

This pristine little island is a renewed paradise for bird and wildlife, thanks to efforts to restore its native bush. The sanctuary is now 60% forested, with species such as the tui, fantail and the tiny Raukawa gecko thriving in the area. 

Surfers know about Tāwharanui Regional Park but most others don’t; this hidden treasure 80 minutes drive north of Auckland offers long sandy stretches and shaded grasslands for camping, bookmarked by undulating emerald fields of former farmland. (Tip: wave chasers should try the northern side for great swell).

Holding the title of New Zealand’s first marine reserves, Goat Island Marine Reserve is one of the country’s most beautiful. Encompassing underwater cliffs and canyons tufted with coral and sponges, visitors should plan to dive into the clear waters with a snorkel to get a closer look at the impressive array of marine life that lurks beneath the surface. There are also two coastal walkways leading from Goat Island Bay for those who’d prefer not to get wet. 

A lumpy, green grass mound that rises 182 metres, One Tree Hill is much more than it appears. The mound is the site of a former Maori pa, or fortified village, abandoned in the 18th century. One tree remained upon departure but only a stump remains – along with glorious 360-degree views of the city. 

Littered with cafés, boutiques, bars and restaurants, the sleepy-looking suburb of Ponsonby is the neighbourhood where hip people tend to hang. Brunch is a scene here and local favourites include Dizengoff and Orphan’s Kitchen. 

Fancy a city getaway with world-class food, fine wines, luxury hotels and extra views for good measure? Book your flight to Auckland now at qantas.com.

A cluster of cool cafés, trendy boutiques and everything in between, Britomart is an area near the harbourfront that was reclaimed from demolition in the early 2000s. The very definition of a modern mall, stores are set amid exposed brick walls and soaring ceilings that reveal the precinct’s original wooden beams, with a gathering of green spaces around it.

You’ve heard of Waiheke but what about Rangitoto, Rakino, Kawau, Motuihe and Motutapu? There are more than 50 islands in the Hauraki Gulf east of Auckland perfect for day- (or week-) long side trips. Waiheke Island, a haven of great wine, picturesque coastline and rolling green hills, is one of the most popular jaunts, taking just 40 minutes by ferry from Auckland Harbour. 

Chef Ben Bayly gives fresh meaning to sustainable dining at one of New Zealand’s finest restaurants, Ahi: he’s serving Te Matuku oysters, celeriac pappardelle and Wagyu Bavette. Enjoy the big flavours as part of the eight-course Trust Us menu in the contemporary dining room.

Explore Auckland’s trendy neighbourhoods, farmers markets and cool bar scene. Book your flight now at qantas.com.

Native forests, cliff-framed beaches with sizeable surf and hot springs hidden in the shade – Great Barrier Island is perfect for exploration. All trails should lead to Mount Hobson however, where the ascent presents hikers with a panoramic view of the island’s mountain ripples.

If San Francisco has Sausalito, Auckland has Devonport, a tranquil seaside suburb of relaxed cafés, designer boutiques and galleries showcasing works by local artists. Stroll to the top of Mount Victoria (about 20 minutes from the ferry wharf) to take in the cityscape. Then wander down to classic haunt Corellis Cafe, for a sesame bagel.

There’s a spot where you can take in everything that’s splendid about Auckland – the harbour, the islands, the yachts, the sky – at once: the private balcony of your elegant rooftop room at Park Hyatt Auckland. There are wonderful moments to be had inside the hotel, too: try the spa’s hydrotherapy showers or settle down with a book in The Living Room lounge-restaurant.

Toast the sunset from one of Auckland’s many rooftop bars. Book your flight now at qantas.com.

Cornwall Park is the Hampstead Heath of Auckland. Spread your blanket under the dappled shade of trees alive with native birds and try to spot the distinctive tui with its white throat tuft. But first, fill your basket at nearby Cazador deli, where delicacies range from game salami and duck and mushroom parfait to baked persian flatbread.

Wynn Hamlyn has perfected chic casuals for men and women; Città sells the coolest homewares; and Honest Chocolat needs no explanation. Find these and many more Kiwi brands in the centre of the CBD at the Commercial Bay precinct.

Kayak amongst dolphins, visit wineries and sample locally grown fare on a trip to Auckland. Plan your trip now at qantas.com.

Aucklanders are obsessed with eco-friendly seafood and The Lodge Bar & Dining nails the brief. Settle in the Commercial Bay harbourside dining room and feast on Niwa Kingfish crudo, Sand flounder with Cloudy Bay clam beurre blanc and crab spaghetti.