This suburb of Auckland hosts a spectacular view of the City of Sails, so bring your camera. Aside from being a quaint spot to dine and shop, it also features a naval base. For a laid-back day of meandering past colonial architecture and along peaceful beaches, Devonport is the place to go.

Past visitors raved about Devonport's small-town charm and beautiful scenery. To add something extra to your time in Devonport, try planning your visit for the first Sunday of the month when the neighborhood hosts its monthly Devonport Craft & Fine Food Market. Travelers also suggest perusing the exhibits at the free Torpedo Bay Navy Museum.

You can drive to Devonport from central Auckland, but one of the most scenic and convenient ways to get to the area is by ferry. A return ferry ticket will set adults back 12.50 New Zealand dollars ($9); kids between 5 and 15 qualify for child tickets, which cost NZ$7.50 (about $5.50) round trip. You can catch the ferry from the Downtown Ferry Terminal at 99 Quay Street. To learn more about things to see and do in Devonport, check out Visit Devonport's website.