Air Bungy -- The Sky Screamer, Albert and Victoria streets, just down from Sky Tower (tel. 09/377-1328), will send you skyward with a maximum adrenaline rush at 200kmph (124 mph). Prices start at NZ$45 (US$32/£16) per person. Open 11am to late.

Bungy Jumping -- A.J. Hackett Bungy Auckland, Westhaven Reserve (bottom of Curran St.), Herne Bay (tel. 0800/462-8649 in NZ, or 09/361-2000), is the world's first harbor bridge bungy. For around NZ$100 (US$71/£36), you leap out over Waitemata Harbour.

Canyoning -- Canyonz (tel. 0800/422-696 in NZ, or 09/832-3244), offers a range of energetic abseiling adventures on Auckland's west coast and in the Coromandel Peninsula. Costs range from NZ$175 (US$125/£63) for the Blue Canyon adventure to NZ$200 (US$142/£72) per person for a Coromandel excursion to Sleeping God Canyon, where you can slither down a 300m (1,000-ft.) waterfall way off the beaten track.

Climbing -- The Birkenhead Indoor Climbing Wall, Mahara Avenue, Birkenhead (tel. 09/418-4109), is open daily from 10am to 10pm.

Four-Wheel-Drive Biking -- If "real" adventure in the country is your thing, call 4 Track Adventures, Restall Road, Woodhill Forest (tel. 0800/487-225 in NZ, or 09/420-8077). Its quad bikes are easy to ride, and you don't need previous experience. Expect to pay NZ$135 (US$96/£49) per person for a 1-hour safari. Van pickup from central hotels and backpackers is available for NZ$40 (US$28/£14).

Golf -- You'll find more than 40 golf courses in the Auckland region. For details, call the Auckland Visitor Golf Association (tel./fax 09/522-0491), Monday through Thursday between 9am and 5pm, and ask for the course nearest you and current greens fees. Golf Downunder, 17 Albert St., Inner City (tel. 09/307-7081), gives daily tours of Auckland's best resorts and private golf clubs.

Horseback Riding -- The Auckland region is home to about 20 riding operations. Visitor centers can give you advice about the outfitter nearest you. One of the closest to the Inner City is Valley View Riding (tel. 09/837-0525), in Henderson.

Kayaking -- Ian Ferguson was one of New Zealand's top athletes; he competed in five Olympic games, won four gold medals and one silver, and in 1996 was named New Zealand Olympian of the century. He is also the man behind Fergs Kayaks. Located at Ian Ferguson Marine Sports Centre, 12 Tamaki Dr., Okahu Bay (tel. 09/529-2230), it offers several kayaking options; the most fun, perhaps, is the Rangitoto Night Trip, which involves a 75-minute paddle out to the island and a 45-minute walk to the top of Rangitoto for a spectacular night view of Auckland. The trip leaves at 6pm, returns by 11pm, and costs NZ$95 (US$67/£34).

Mountain Biking -- Downhill mountain biking -- my kind of stuff -- is what you get with Auckland Adventures (tel. 09/379-4545). Its 9-hour excursion takes in the best of West Auckland and costs about NZ$100 (US$71/£36) per person; biking time varies from 1 to 3 hours, depending on your level of fitness. Adventure Cycles, 1 Laurie Ave., Parnell (tel. 09/940-2453), organizes half-day city bike hires from NZ$15 (US$11/£5.40) to around NZ$100 (US$71/£36) per week. It's open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 7:30am to 7pm.

Sailing -- You'll find numerous brochures about sailing charters at the visitor center, and the staff there can help you decide. If you'd like to learn the basics, contact Penny Whiting Sailing School (tel. 09/376-1322). She'll give you five practical 3-hour sailing lessons for NZ$650 (US$462/£234).

Scuba Diving -- Divercity Charters, 128 Wairau Rd., Glenfield (tel. 09/444-7698, or 025/519-651), can take you to seven top dive sites near Auckland, including marine reserves. Call for current charter rates.

Sky Diving -- You'll forget all the other views once you get airborne with Auckland's only 7-day parachute center, Skydive Auckland, Mercer Skydiving Centre (tel. 0800/865-867 in NZ, or 09/373-5778). It offers free pickup service.

Surfing -- New Zealand Surf 'n' Snow Tours (tel. 0800/787-386 in NZ, or 09/828-0426) offers 1-day surf tours for NZ$99 (US$70/£36), 1- and 2-day surf schools for NZ$90 to NZ$140 (US$64-US$99/£32-£50), and a 5-day surf tour at NZ$699 (US$499/£250) in the Auckland and Northland regions.

Swimming -- Accessible from Tamaki Drive (where there's frequent bus service from Britomart), the beaches at Judges Bay, Okahu Bay, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, and St. Heliers Bay are popular inner-harbor swimming spots. If you want pool swimming, the visitor center has an excellent brochure that details 10 major complexes.

Walking -- An easy, enjoyable walk is along the promenade of Tamaki Drive, which takes you from the Inner City around to the pleasant seaside suburbs of Mission Bay and Kohimarama. One Tree Hill, Cornwall Park, and Mount Eden all offer a bit of physical exertion. If you really want to explore, contact Waitakere Wilderness Walks (tel./fax 09/838-9007). It offers 1- and 2-day walks and photographic excursions in the unspoiled west coast. An excellent self-guided trek is the Coast to Coast Walk, a 4- to 6-hour walk through the Inner City and suburbs. A comprehensive map available from the visitor center shows the 15km (10-mile) route.

Day Spa Delights -- Day spas are sprouting all over Auckland. The most luxurious is Spa de Servilles, Level 1, Shed 20, Princes Wharf (tel. 09/309-9086), which will lull you into luxury and sloth at the touch of a finger. It's the nearest you'll get in New Zealand to sophisticated European spas. Half- and full-day treatments range from NZ$260 to NZ$895 (US$185-US$634/£94-£322). And boys -- don't forget, you can enjoy these indulgences, too! Also worth checking out is Spa at the Hyatt, Hyatt Regency hotel (tel. 09/355-1234), a stunning new facility that has six exquisite treatment rooms, a 25m (80-ft.) lap pool, saunas, Jacuzzi, steam room, juice bar, and fully equipped gym. Also new is East Day Spa, SKYCITY Grand Hotel, 123 Albert St. (tel. 09/363-7050), which focuses on Eastern-style holistic skincare, massage, and beauty treatments. Bliss, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 128 Albert St. (tel. 09/368-4698), offers traditional Chinese reflexology in a stylish, relaxing Inner City haven.

A Farewell Spa -- If you're driving north on this route on your way to Auckland Airport and then home, I strongly recommend you treat yourself to the sublime pleasures of Heritage Hotel & Spa du Vin, 500 Lyons Rd., Mangatawhiri, Pokeno, just off Highway 27 (tel. 09/233-6314; fax 09/233-6215). This oasis of personal bliss is tucked away amid rolling farmyard, surrounded by 16 hectares (40 acres) of vineyards. As well as excellent accommodations (NZ$320-NZ$426/US$227-US$303/£115-£154), it has a terrific restaurant overlooking picturesque vines and a stunning Balinese-themed spa that will make you go weak at the knees. It's a heavenly spot. Don't miss it!