New Zealand's largest city is situated between the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours and is built up on a landscape comprised of around fifty extinct volcanic cones. Auckland's suburbs sprawl for miles with many people commuting in from secluded bays and island communities while the downtown core has the tall buildings and exciting nightlife of any big city.

Home to the recent America's Cup yacht race, Auckland has a well-earned reputation as the City of Sails. It is said that one in every ten Aucklanders owns a boat and on a sunny day it seems that everyone is out on the harbour. It's a great idea to join them if you get the chance. There are companies that operate sailing excursions on the harbour or you can opt for the cheaper option of the Devonport ferry.

The city has an interesting multicultural mix with a blend of Asian, European and Polynesian culture and it has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world.

Although Auckland's urban sprawl competes with cities many times its size, it's not all endless suburbs. Auckland even has some interesting inner-city neighbourhoods. Parnell is a short walk from downtown Auckland and has a quaint old shopping area along with classy restaurants and cafés, walk a little further away from the centre and you come to Newmarket, a bustling neighbourhood which is a great place for no-nonsense shopping. Ponsonby on the opposite side of the city centre to Parnell also has trendy cafés and bars, but with a grungier and more down-to-earth feel. Walk uptown along Queen Street and you'll come to Karangahape Road (also known as 'K' Road) a colourful Polynesian neighbourhood with pumping nightlife.