The newly redeveloped pierside offers intimate bars and splendid restaurants, while the harbour is a constantly shifting panorama of yachts that has earned the city its nick-name, the City of Sails. Travel south to experience the mighty geysers and plopping mud pools of Rotorua, or go underground in Waitomo and walk through grottoes illuminated by a million glow-worms. Welcome to the 'Morning of the World'.
Religion is part of the fabric of daily life.
Every house is also a temple and several times a day elaborate offerings of food are presented to the gods. Listen to the haunting strains of gamelan music, dine on spicy Indonesian delicacies or an extensive rijstaffel, or shop for hand printed batik. The largest living thing on earth, the 1,232 mile long Great Barrier Reef is entirely composed of tiny corals - over 300 types have been counted here. The reef is populated with technicolour fish and rare bird species. Its ethereal combinations of white surf, azure and lapis lazuli waters and cloudless skies add up to a day of wondrous beauty which you will remember forever.