Mount Eden Walk (Self Guided), Auckland

City life is great fun, but sometimes you will feel the need to get away from the crowded, busy streets and get closer to Nature. This is no problem in Auckland as it boasts a splendid volcanic field and the highest volcano is Mount Eden. Not far from the city center, this extinct volcano is easy to climb and at the top you will get stunning views down over the city, the volcanic field and the sea. It is a beautiful spot to take a picnic and spend the day lazing around, taking exceptional photos and discovering the local wild plants. Although it is a popular tourist spot, the area seems quieter and calmer than anywhere else in Auckland and it is a great place to unwind and re-charge your energy!

Check out Mount Eden Village, which has some great souvenir shops and a lot of restaurants and bars, most of which cater for children. Don’t miss a visit to the exquisite Eden Gardens nestled on the side of the mountain. This delightful park was once a grubby abandoned quarry and is now a memorial garden where you can stroll through alleys bordered by hundreds of specimens of Camellias, bromeliads and hibiscus and sit in the shade of huge conifers, drinking in the heady odor of thousands of flowers. It is the perfect way to end a relaxing day.