Best short-haul destinations: Auckland, New Zealand

The bottom line Three hours and five minutes from Sydney (2155 km) and three hours and 35 minutes from Melbourne (2624 km) with a two-hour time difference (AEST) between Sydney and Melbourne.

Why go Cuz, it’s there. Once the harbour city you were having when you weren’t quite having Sydney, New Zealand’s biggest city has been utterly transformed by the dramatic redevelopment of its once no-go waterfront as well as a quality food scene. Driven (helmed?) in large part by New Zealand’s prodigious America’s Cup yachting success, Auckland, also called Tamaki Makaurau in Maori, has emerged as the premier Polynesian city and one of the best capitals in our South Pacific backyard for a sophisticated short city break.

Duration of stay Four to five days.

See + do Dominated by the imposing Edwardian baroque Ferry Building inspired by the San Francisco equivalent, it makes sense as a visitor to base yourself on the Waitemata Harbour waterfront (aucklandnz.com) fringing the compact CBD. While the waterside area is Kiwi jam packed with restaurants, bars, cafes and shops, exploring Auckland’s other neighbourhoods, such as the upscale shopping and dining hubs of Ponsonby and Parnell, is a must. Elsewhere, and easily accessed from the waterfront, the suburb of Devonport feels like an amalgam of Sydney’s Manly and Melbourne’s Williamstown, except much closer to the city. From here, after your 12-minute ferry ride, there are dramatic views of the city skyline to be savoured while the residential streets are resplendent with gorgeous timber heritage houses and lush gardens. Further from town, to the tune of a 30- to 40-minute ferry trip, Waiheke Island (newzealand.com) – “the island of wine” – has become the Auckland go-to destination for food and wine lovers but it’s by no means the only island worth a visit. An even easier ferry trip from downtown, unspoilt Rangitoto Island (doc.govt.nz) – sorry, no restaurants or wineries – with its distinctive symmetrical volcanic cone, is favoured by walkers and day-tripping nature lovers. For a different take on urban Auckland, head off along glorious Tamaki Drive (aucklandnz.com), a scenic coastal thoroughfare that traces a route out of the city alongside a procession of semi-posh suburbs.

Eat + drink

Auckland competes with Wellington for the title of New Zealand culinary capital with the former, bigger city arguably edging ahead in recent years and, for that matter, comparing well to major capitals across the Tasman. Go for gold at the newish Gilt Brasserie (giltbrasserie.nz), set inside the ground floor of historic Chancery Chambers in downtown Auckland. It’s the latest creation of Josh and Helen Emett, two of New Zealand’s most successful restaurateurs with stripes on the other side of the ditch. Elsewhere, back on the waterfront, Origine (origine.nz), a top-notch French restaurant inside the smart and fashion forward Commercial Bay shopping complex (commercialbay.co.nz), is the place to mingle with Auckland’s cognoscenti. For the more budget-minded, try the excellent food court on the same level as Origine. Across the pedestrianised mall, take in another slice of Auckland life at Daily Bread (dailybread.co.nz), a cool-crowd bakery-cum-cafe that opens early for breakfast. Back over at the aforementioned Devonport, time your visit there for brunch or lunch at Dulcie (dulcie.co.nz). Set away from the main Devonport drag, it’s a buzzy, beachside neighbourhood caf set inside an attractive light-filled heritage building (don’t miss the terrific fish’n’chips).