24 Hours In... Auckland

07:00 The early bird gets the worm, as well as a beautiful sunrise if that bird is at the summit of Maungawhau/Mount Eden first thing in the morning. The highest natural point in Auckland, Mount Eden has an unbeaten 360-degree view of the city and its harbours, not to mention both of New Zealand’s east and west coasts. There’s no better way to start a day than with a bit of vigorous exercise, and the steep-but-not-too-steep track up Maungawhau is the classically Aucklander way to do so.

09:30 Even for non-ecstatic museum-goers, the Auckland War Memorial Museum is sure to get anyone excited, even just due to its jaw-dropping architectural grandeur. Regarded as one of the finest museums in the Southern Hemisphere, the Auckland Museum tells the story of New Zealand as a nation; from award-winning natural history exhibits to stimulating galleries investigating New Zealand’s cultural origins.

The Auckland Domain, where the museum is situated, is also worth a wander. The city’s oldest public park, the Domain is home to a variety of different treats, including the fairytale-esque Wintergardens, duck ponds, bush walks, and a very special garden for the blind, which is made up of aromatic, herbaceous and sensory plants.

14:30 A rapidly-expanding modern development on the front of the Auckland Viaduct, Wynyard Quarter presents the true essence of the City of Sails with its triple-edged Waitematā Harbour border. At one end is the viaduct dining precinct, made up of a hugely diverse range of high-end bars and restaurants, and at the other is the cinema to end all cinemas, with an outdoor projection onto the large silo tanks at Silo Park drawing in huge crowds every Friday in the summer. A walk through Wynyard Quarter is enough to make anyone’s life goals become a touch more ambitious, as the apartment block developments are nothing short of a spectacular.

18:30 One of K Road’s most authentic and unostentatious restaurants, Coco’s Cantina has cults of both devoted followers and fierce critics. Founded by sisters Damaris and Renee Coulter, who were jointly named restaurateurs of the year in 2017, Coco’s is beloved for its relaxedness and quirkiness, not to mention its delectable polenta fries. Serving up fresh, homestyle Italian food with a slice of cool, the Coco’s team goal is to make guests feel like they are dining at a friend’s house. You won’t find better quality or more eccentric service anywhere.

20:30 Auckland’s local arts scene is growing in status and sophistication, so a trip to one of the many great theatres is always worth your time and money. Self-described as the city’s ‘culture-defining powerhouse,’ the Basement Theatre provides a fantastic platform for emerging artists - from comedians to poets to musicians, and everything in between - making it a crockpot full of local talent and artistic passion. With shows and events every night from Tuesday to Saturday, the Basement Theatre is the number one hotspot in the city for entertainment, excitement and inspiration.