Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

With its warm azure waters, golden beaches and some of the bluest skies on the planet, Bay of Islands is a magnet for the holiday-deprived. Some 150 isles, many still secluded, and a handful of coastal towns make up New Zealand’s favourite holiday haven. Waitangi is your historic hotbed imbued with Maori myth and legends. Then there’s Russell, the tranquil fishing town, Kerikeri with its wineries and orchards, and pretty Paihia, with its semi-central location – the perfect jumping-off point to everything the beautiful Bay of Islands has to offer.

The New Zealand greeting “Kia Ora!” sets the tone for an Auckland adventure. This Maori phrase, used by Kiwis of all ethnic backgrounds to say “hello,” roughly translates to “be well” — and after you’ve enjoyed the outdoor excitement Auckland has to offer, that’s exactly how you’ll feel. With three harbors and 18,000 miles of coastline, New Zealand’s largest city offers all the exploration by land or by sea you could ask for. Climb the Sky Tower for panoramic views of the city and the Twin Harbors. Jump on a New Zealand cruise and head to the Viaduct Basin in Wynward Quarter to sail the harbor or relax with at a seaside brewery. Or kayak out to volcanic Rangitoto Island, where you can hike up ancient lava flows and admire the city from above.

On the eastern side of New Zealand’s North Island sits Napier, in Hawke’s Bay. The entire city was rebuilt in the Art Deco style following an earthquake in 1931, giving Napier the best collection of authentic Art Deco buildings on the planet. Known for its wine, Napier boasts a cafe culture enjoyed year-round thanks to its sunny, Mediterranean-like climate. Nearby you can find the world’s largest colony of gannets – a sleek, white sea bird known for its dramatic plunge-dive fish-catching technique – which can be viewed on a hike or a tractor ride on the beach.

Imagine a scene of regal sailing boats floating on top of blue waters, hugged by a picturesque landscape of rolling green mountains and cloud-sprinkled skies. This is Picton, New Zealand, a charming seaside town at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound. Settled by early 19th century whalers, Picton is now a bustling seaport surrounded by award winning restaurants, delightful local art galleries, watersports activities plus beautiful yet challenging nature trails.

Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, sits at the southern tip of the North Island, roughly the middle of the country. According to Maori legend, New Zealand’s two main islands are associated with the god Maui; the South Island is his canoe and the North Island is the fish he caught. Wellington sits in that fish’s mouth. Wellington is New Zealand’s second-biggest city, after Auckland. Despite its smaller size, it has an abundance of cultural attractions like the National Library, National Archives, theaters and excellent museums. The city is also home to the country’s film industry and is nicknamed Wellywood.

On the southeast coast of New Zealand’s South Island, on the Otago Peninsula, you’ll find Dunedin. The city basks in its Scottish heritage — its name is actually the Gaelic word for Edinburgh. No Scottish city would be complete without a castle: Explore Dunedin’s Larnach Castle and Gardens, a Gothic Revival mansion surrounded by impeccably manicured rows of rhododendrons, azaleas and Scottish heathers. Then, check out Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest residential street. Cruise to Dunedin and explore St. Paul’s Cathedral in the city’s center, the Octagon. Or head to Taiaroa Head at the end of the Otago Peninsula, where unique wildlife abounds: Spot the rare yellow-eyed penguin, New Zealand fur seals and royal albatross.

Dusky Sound lies among the grand fjords of Fiordland National Park in the southwest part of New Zealand’s South Island. Named by Captain Cook when he sailed by at dusk on his first voyage in 1770, this spot holds one of the area’s largest fjords, at almost 25 miles long. During the rainy season, you can spot hundreds of waterfalls splashing down from the verdant green hills into the dark deep waters. During your Dusky Sound cruise, keep an eye out for sunbathing seals in repose on Seal Rock. Look out for Astronomer’s Point, a former observatory dating back to 1773 that overlooks the dramatic fjord.

Situated in Fiordland National Park, Doubtful Sound is the deepest and second-largest fjord in New Zealand. It was named by Captain Cook, the first European here, because he was doubtful that he would be able to sail his ship, the Endeavor, back out of the sound due to the westerly winds. Look for the area’s towering waterfalls: See 619-meter Browne Falls in Hall Arm and 220-meter Helena Falls at Deep Cove. Try to spot dolphins, penguins and fur seals in the waters and shoreline below with your Doubtful Sound cruise.

Mountains and waterfalls abound in South Island’s Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s top attractions and a site of otherworldly beauty. Called the eighth wonder of the world by Rudyard Kipling, the sound (technically a fjord) is part of Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. Take in the surrounding water on nature on your Milford Sound cruise, passing by green cliffsides and plummeting waterfalls like Lady Elizabeth Bowen Falls. Along the way, take in the famous Milford Track: Suspension bridges, boardwalks and mountain passes take you past stunning vistas of emerald green mountains and valleys, as well as Sutherland Falls, the tallest waterfall in New Zealand.

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.