Auckland

Dating back to 1962, Highwic is the former family home of English immigrant and prosperous businessman Alfred Buckland. The home was built in the American Carpenter Gothic style, and highlights include an elegant ballroom, an old-fashioned kitchen with a coal range, various outbuildings including stables and a billiard house, and manicured Victorian-themed grounds.

On the first Wednesday of the month, visitors can watch as the antique coal range is lit and used for cooking. The property is open every day except Christmas and Good Friday, and children receive free admission if accompanied by an adult.

Highwic, Newmarket, 40 Gillies Ave, Auckland 1023, Phone: 9-524-5729

Motutapu Island is part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park, and at 178 million years old is one of the oldest land masses in the area. The entire island underwent a pest eradication program, and today it is a great place to see beautiful native birds like the rare tieke.

Motutapu Island features a number of walking trails; some include gun emplacements from WWII as well as tunnels and other WWII sites. Visitors are also offered the opportunity to explore the island with one of the Ngai Tai tribal guides, who share their traditional knowledge about the island's history.

Built in 1864, Ewelme Cottage is made out of kauri wood and was designed and constructed by the Anglican Reverend Vicesimus Lush. The home stayed in his family until 1968, and it has been incredibly well preserved. It contains plenty of period items, including books, artwork, and domestic objects like cooking pots and knitting needles.

Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful garden, and the entire experience will give them an excellent understanding of mid-19th-century middle-class life. The cottage can be viewed on Sundays between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., but is closed on Christmas Day.

Ewelme Cottage, 14 Ayr St, Parnell, Auckland 1052, Phone: 9-524-5729

Located on the Waikato side of the Bombay Hills, the Mt William Walkway is an advanced hiking trail that provides excellent views from the summit of Mount William. There are two sections; one is 1.5 miles (2.5 km) long and leads to the summit, and the other continues for 1 1/4 miles (2 km) along rolling farm land. Both sections take approximately 90 minutes each way.

Hikers should be aware that the track crosses private farmland in some sections; caution should be exercised around farm animals, and any gates should be left as they were found (open or closed).

Mt William Walkway, McMillan Rd, Mangatawhiri 2471, Phone: 9-379-6476

Located on a 25-hectare (62-acre) sand bar that stretches out into the Tamaki Estuary, Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve is a beautiful nature reserve and wetland habitat. The area is steeped in Maori history, and it is also an excellent place to view a variety of native birds.

Birdwatchers are advised to familiarize themselves with the tides; the best time to see wading birds is between full-tide and half-tide from November to March. There are three main trails in the reserve, which can be walked separately or combined into a single route. It takes approximately 90 minutes to walk around the entire area.

Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve, Riddell Road, Glen Innes, Auckland 1071, Phone: 9-301-0101

The Twin Coast Discovery Highway is a 751-km (467-mile) adventure that brings visitors along both coasts of the warmest region in New Zealand. Highlights of the trip include marveling at the kauri trees in Waipoua Forest, dolphin spotting on the east coast, and the opportunity to try the extreme sports of dune surfing and quad biking.

Many people also enjoy exploring the beaches and coves of the Bay of Islands; daily cruises leave from the port in Paihia. The route can be driven all year round, and most visitors will take approximately 5 days to do the trip. Twin Coast Discovery Highway

Located on a 40-acre property in the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges, Crystal Mountain is home to the largest selection of crystals and minerals in New Zealand. You can marvel at the many rare and beautiful specimens on display, or they can purchase their own unique souvenirs from the on-site gift shop.

Children will get their own treasures to take home if they participate in an interactive activity about the old method of panning for crystals. There is also an animal park that offers a number of activities for children to enjoy, including pony rides, tractor rides, and a bungee trampoline.

Crystal Mountain, 80 Candia Rd, Swanson, Auckland 0614, Phone: 9-833-5033

Open Saturday mornings, the Parnell Farmers' Market boasts more than 25 vendors who only attend the market when they have in-season products available for sale.

In addition to a wide variety of fresh produce, visitors can shop for local meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. The market also offers a delicious selection of ready-to-eat food, and visitors can enjoy their meal while listening to one of the local buskers who can often be found performing for the crowd. A special craft market runs alongside the farmers market on the 4th Saturday of every month.

Parnell Farmers' Market, 545 Parnell Rd, Parnell, Auckland 1052, Phone: 9-555-5154

Built and run by volunteers, West Lynn Garden and Butterfly House takes up 4.5 acres of land. Pathways meander through the beautifully landscaped gardens, and a number of picnic tables are scattered throughout the grounds.

Visitors can also explore the Butterfly House, which is home to hundreds of monarch butterflies between the months of December and April. Groups of 10 or more are required to book in advance. The gardens are open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. every day of the year, and a special craft market is held on the second Sunday of each month.

West Lynn Garden and Butterfly House, 73 Parker Ave, New Lynn, Auckland 0600, Phone: 9-827-7045

Businessman Alan Gibbs is one of New Zealand's leading art collectors, and he has turned the 990-acre Alan Gibbs Farm into the largest outdoor sculpture collection in the country.

Highlights include several specially commissioned pieces that incorporate various aspects of the landscape, sculptures of exotic animals like emus and giraffes, a sculpture built around the world's largest Tesla coil, and a life-size Wild West town. As the farm is a private property, it is only open to the public for one day every month and guest numbers are limited. Visits must be booked in advance, but there is no admission fee.

The Alan Gibbs Farm, 2421 Kaipara Coast Hwy, Makarau 0984