Top 5 Things to do in Auckland

And to be fair the movie does depict it so, the hellish and evil Mordor aside. Located in the Northern part of this country is its most populous city, Auckland. This city is consistently ranked as one of the most liveable places on the planet.Its ranked 3rd in the Mercer's 2015 Quality of Living Rankings, 10th in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Liveability Ranking August 2014 and 12thinMonocle's Quality of Life Survey 2014. These are strong signs of the quality of life one can expect in Auckland. Experience it for yourself, plan a trip to Auckland. Very few naturally beautiful places exist in the world which top thosefound in New Zealand. This is a list of top things to do when you're in Auckland.

Take the Ferry to Waiheke Island

Located around 17 km from Auckland, the stunning Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf will leave you speechless. It has around 8 scenic beaches, a warmer climate than Auckland and many vineyards. It is a trekker's haven and also for those who want to enjoy the peace and quiet of the serene natural landscape.

Sky Tower

The tallest man made structure in New Zealand, the Sky Tower is an impressive 328 meters in height. As a result it can offer truly breath taking views for hundreds of kilometres around. Travel up in the glass fronted lifts while taking in the spectacular view. For the thrill seeking tourist, the tower offers more; at 192 meters there is a 1.2 wide meter platform called the Skywalk, walking at that height will be sure to cause butterflies in your stomach and if that's not enough jump off the tower! Base jumping is a popular attraction there. For those who just want to enjoy the view can do so while dining in Orbit, Auckland's only 360 degree revolving restaurant. Or come in the evening and sip a drink at the Sky Lounge.

The Art in Auckland

The Auckland Art Gallery houses an impressive collection of historic and contemporary displays that are more than 15000 in number. Join one of the numerous free tours offered daily and you'll get a good introduction to the numerous works.

Queen Street

To get a feel for Urban Auckland, visit Queen Street. This street has notable establishments like Auckland Town Hall and Bank of New Zealand buildings. It also houses stores like Bilabong and the Diamond Shop.

The Black Sands

Bethells Beach is 22 miles from the city centre. Its black sands and cool waters are just the thing to refresh you. One can partake in surfing, swimming, bushwalking and hang gliding.