NESTLED ON THE NORTHERN part of New Zealand’s North Island, cosmopolitan Auckland deserves more than a passing glance. Although the jumping-off point for many tours, Auckland holds its own as an urban destination with a wide range of activities.

The iconic Sky Tower, the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere, anchors this city positioned between two large harbors. The observation platform provides superb views of Auckland’s glitzy waterfront and Hauraki Gulf. Daredevils who prefer to take the easy way down attach themselves to a Sky Jump cable and leap off the top.

Check into the lovely Hotel DeBrett, a short walk from the restaurants and bars of Viaduct Harbour. Spend half a day visiting the Auckland War Memorial Museum and then recharge by ducking into a café to put Kiwi coffee culture to the test. Sample a long black, a short black or the widely favored flat white (a double shot of espresso with velvety steamed milk instead of froth).

For a memorable meal, seek out Elliott Stables, where you can sample a wide range of cuisines in an epicurean village and then walk it off while shopping on nearby Queen Street.

On Auckland’s west coast, explore windswept beaches and the subtropical bush-clad hills of the Waitakere Ranges. If time permits, join a cruise to Tiritiri Matangi Island out in the Hauraki Gulf and spy some of New Zealand’s most endangered birds, including the kokako and saddleback.

Explore another highlight just a short ferry ride from Auckland: Waiheke Island. Beautiful beaches and a bucolic blend of forest and open farmland make for the perfect dose of nature within the city’s reach. Enjoy activities like sea kayaking, mountain biking and vineyard tours. Ananda Tours offers a Gourmet Food and Wine tour visiting some of the award-winning wineries, including Stonyridge Vineyard.

Should you miss the last ferry back, snag a room at the boutique Boatshed Hotel, situated above the white, sandy beaches of Oneroa, and rest up before exploring the rest of the mythical Middle Earth.