City life, sailing, islands, beaches and history

With the wild Tasman Sea buffeting the West Coast and the South Pacific lapping the East Coast, the pleasures of New Zealand's top half are deliciously salt-flavoured. From the bustling restaurants around the America's Cup base in Auckland's Viaduct Basin to the warm tranquillity of Northland's Bay of Islands, the sea will accompany your journey and provide endless scope for enjoyment.

Lodges and retreats have become an attractive feature of Auckland and Northland. Some can be accessed only by a helicopter or boat ride, others are easily accessible by road. Fishing, cruising, vineyard tours, golf and hiking are just a few of your recreational options.

Chartering a skippered yacht to explore the Hauraki Gulf or the Bay of Islands is a quick route to beautiful beaches, bays and islands. You can also get into the north's water world by hiring a runabout, joining a kayaking expedition or jumping aboard a ferry. Snorkeling, surfing, big game fishing or dolphin-watching are experiences that are easy to find while you make your way along the region's touring route - the Twin Coast Discovery Highway.