New Zealand might be small, but it shouldn’t be underestimated – and Auckland proves why. The country's northern city brims with excitement of all kinds, and is just dying to be explored.
Navigate the dormant, scenic volcano of Mount Eden for a glimpse at the majestic nature surrounding the city, before brushing up on NZ culture at the Auckland Art Gallery, where there’s a room dedicated to Maori tribal tattoos. If the volcano wasn’t thrilling enough, head up to the top of the Sky Tower, the tallest freestanding building in the Southern Hemisphere, to get a view from the observation deck.
It might be best to eat after your ride in the glass-bottomed escalator, though – perhaps at Depot Eatery which serves up oysters right from the nearby Waiheke Island. For a night out, Karangahape, or K Road, is bustling with bars and clubs and is the perfect way to unwind – or get re-energized – after a busy day in the North Island's perfect urban sprawl.
For most of its history, New Zealand existed at the edge of the world. But, lately you can't help but feel that the country is punching above its weight.
A son takes his cancer-survivor mother on a road trip in search of manuka honey
