The ultimate island retreat with vineyards, olive groves and beautiful beaches, Waiheke Island is only a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. Known as the island of wine, where some of New Zealand’s best red wines come from. Thanks to the easy accessibility, Waiheke is an ideal day trip.

Fort Cornwallis is George Town’s most prominent historical landmark. Its star-shaped 18th-century ramparts on the waterfront enclose an array of British colonial buildings, including prison cells, a powder magazine, a chapel, a harbour beacon, and bronze cannons still mounted on the battlements.

Located on the beautiful Corsica Cape, the picturesque village of Nonza hangs over the sea on a striking cliff. The town's historic buildings are incredibly well preserved, and the views of the ocean and the surrounding mountainous countryside are simply breathtaking.

Säfsnäs Homestead Park, often considered Fredriksberg's best-kept secret, is a collection of historic buildings from the Säfsnäs region. These include a smokehouse, barn, pole shed and water mill, with 'Rik-Mats' cabin highlighting the early 1600s svedjefinnar era, associated with the practice of slash-and-burn agriculture. The park also commemorates the ironworks period from the 1720s to the early 1900s, featuring a piece of rail from the narrow-gauge railway. It showcases the 20th century’s sawmill and paper mill history, including a simple mill used for paper production. The park is a starting point for nature trails, including a 3.3 km route around Mellansjön, and hosts various activities like heritage walks and midsummer celebrations.