The Greater Auckland Region

(incorporating southern Kaipara Harbour, Manukau Harbour and Hauraki Gulf).

Surrounded by so much water it's not surprising that Auckland is known as the City of Sails. It is also New Zealand's most populous area containing around a third of the entire population of the country. The region has 48 extinct volcanoes scattered about, the most recent to erupt was probably during the formation of Rangitoto Island about 750 years ago. The Auckland Harbour Bridge and Devonport Ferry Service help to connect the downtown area with the Northern suburbs and motorways lead north south and west. Passenger boat services also operate to the offshore islands, some are populated such as Waiheke Island and Great Barrier whilst others are reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

West of Auckland the Henderson Valley/Kumeu area is know for its wines, these include the The Babich and Matua wineries amongst others. Visit the Wine Region Map and click on the Auckland Region for a list of wineries to visit. The area is also noted for it's Artisans and self guided tours of "Arts Out West" and "Wines Out West" are available in brochure format. Also in this area the bush clad Waitakere Ranges and west coast surf beaches are natural attractions. Muriwai Beach is hosts to one of the worlds two mainland gannet colonies.

The sheltered beaches of the eastern coast north of Auckland are popular including the Whangaparoa Peninsula. Boat trips to Kawau Island depart from Sandspit east of Warkworth, and a popular snorkeling spot is the marine reserve off the coast at Leigh, east of Wellsford.
 

Auckland Forest, Maritime and National Parks: The Hauraki Gulf is classified as a Maritime Park, areas of the park are classified into nature, scenic, scientific and recreational reserves.
Other items of interest
Thermal Springs/Pools. The Parakai Springs Aquatic Park is located 50 minutes from Auckland along the North Western motorway. Waiwera Thermal Resort is 25 minutes north of Auckland just past Orewa.

Devonport has a shopping area with historic ambience, craft shops, sidewalk cafes and elegant Victorian Villas. There is a self guided Heritage Walk brochure. Devonport is the home of the Royal New Zealand Navy and beside the base is the Navy Museum. The Devonport Museum is in Cambria Reserve. A short ferry trip from downtown Auckland gets you there in about 10 minutes.

 

The Islands of the Hauraki Gulf.

Great Barrier Island. Get there by fast ferry or slow cruise, with or without your vehicle. this rugged remote, 28,000 ha island is 90km from Auckland. With settlements mainly at Port Fitzroy and Tryphena. There is plenty of hiking and bush walks of varying lengths and for all fitness levels. Sandy beaches and clear waters lend themselves to all manner of water activities.

Waiheke Island. Has a population of 7000, many of which commute to the city by ferry which takes 35 minutes. The semi-isolation is popular with Artists and craftspeople and there are several vineyards on the Island. The island is 9900 ha and is a mixture of farmland and native bush.

Rangitoto Island. is a scenic reserve and obvious by its close proximity to shore and its conical appearance, a regular ferry service allows exploration of the scoria surface, there is tractor-train transport or a 4km walkway at low tide it is possible to walk across to neighbouring Motutapu Island.

Motuihe Island is a Maritime Park recreational reserve, popular as a day trip for picnics. It was used as a prisoner of war camp during World War 1.

Little Barrier Island is managed by the Department of Conservation. Permits are required to land there. It is a closely preserved sanctuary with magnificent forest and abundant native bird life.

Tiritiri Matangi is a reserve undergoing revegetation after many years of grazing stock. Species of endangered birds have been released onto the island for breeding and is home to the Takahe. Access is restricted but day trips are available through Fullers.

Kawau Island has a historic reserve and the historic Mansion House, ferry services depart from Sandspit near Warkworth and several different types of trip which include Kawau Island are available.

A SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES IN THIS REGION

Auckland,   Great Barrier Island,   Kawau Island,  Pukekohe,   Waiheke Island and Warkworth.

Auckland.

Auckland Wine Trail Tours
Combine a sightseeing experience, as part of a small group, visiting points of scenic splendour outside of Auckland City with wine tasting at some of the regions best vineyards.
Website: Click here

Bush and Beach Guided Tour Auckland
Join Bush and Beach on one of their specialised small group tours led by an experienced guide with an extensive knowledge of the area, its flora and fauna. Auckland City has a diverse selection of eco systems and changing landscapes close by, provided by its proximity to enclosed harbours, open sea and to the shelter of native forest and bush.
Website: Click here

Explore NZ Auckland Americas Cup yachting
The Waitemata Harbour is the heart of Auckland, playground to the many lovers of sailing and water sports, residents and visitors alike Auckland Harbour provides a large area of sheltered waters for relaxed recreation or the challenge of competition.
Website: Click here

Explore NZ Auckland sailing cruises
Sail on board one of 'The Pride of Auckland' purpose built yachts for a relaxing evening on the sheltered waters of Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. Let the experienced crew sail, host and cook for you whilst watching the sights of Auckland City glide by
Website: Click here

Auckland Theatre Company - for a schedule of current events
visit their website: Click here

Heli Link fishing trip, a day's fishing on Great Barrier Island with Heli Link Helicopters
Website: Click here

Maori Cultural Show, Auckland Museum, Shows at 11.30 am and 1.30 pm, Please check times with the museum.
Website: Click here

Mountain Biking in Auckland Regional Parks, Waharau in the Hunua Ranges, S.E. of Auckland. Bikes from Hedgehog Bikes, Takapuna, also help with trails. Philip of Hedgehog Bikes is the local bike guru. He will hire out top quality mountain bikes with front suspension, provides helmets and will collect clients from their accommodation. Booking is best to ensure a bike and he would like also to know the height of riders to ensure the best size machine is provided.
Phone: +64 (09) 489 6559
e-mail: inquiries@hedgehog.co.nz
Website: http://hedgehog.co.nz/index.php?mode=bike_hire  for further information

Waitakere Ranges
Hiking in the Auckland Regional Parks, information from Arataki Visitor Centre, ( 6km past the Titirangi township). The ranges are criss-crossed with hiking trails for all abilities, and the Waitakere region has many public parks including: bush walking in Moire Park, Massey East. Manawa Wetlands, New Lynn. Waipareira Walkway, West Harbour Marina.
Phone Parksline '(09) 303 1530.
Enjoy the stunning coastal scenery at Armour Bay (between Parau and Huia). And the surf beaches of Bethells/Te Hanga and Piha.
Website: http://www.arc.govt.nz/parks/

Day Trips to Kawau Island
Explore Kawau Island on our 144 seater Ferry out of Sandspit. Wild Life, Shipwrecks, Mansion House & more, including water taxis to all islands in the Hauraki Gulf & various shuttle runs from Auckland Viaduct & Sandspit, Rodney.
Website: Click here

The Old Devonport Heritage Walk. Request brochure at Devonport Information Centre.

Auckland Harbour Tours with Fullers
Website: Click here

Kelly Tarltons Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World
23 Tamaki Drive, Auckland
Phone: +64 (09) 528 0603
e-mail:  info@kellytarltons.co.nz
Website: www.kellytarltons.co.nz

Potiki Adventures, Offer a range of Auckland Day Trips and other Exclusive Itineraries, all from a contemporary Maori perspective.
Phone: +64 9 845 5932
Cell: 64 21 522 648 or +64 21 422 773
Freephone within NZ: 0800 NZ ADVENTURE (0800 692 3836)
e-mail: info@potikiadventures.com
Website: www.potikiadventures.com

 

 Waiheke Island

Arts and Crafts many artists live and work here. There is an excellent Gallery and craft trails that you can do independently or guided with Ananda Tours who visit the studios of quite a number of artists and potters.
Phone: 64 9 372 7530
e-mail: anandatours@ihug.co.nz 
Website: http://www.ananda.co.nz 

Wine - Waiheke Island produces excellent wines, particularly reds (Stoneyridge, Goldwater etc.) that are considered some of the best. Visit independently or again with Ananda tours are available.
Ananda Tours also takes walking tours ending with Waiheke wine and nibbles on the beach (watching the sunset if its an afternoon tour).
Website: Click here

Walking and cycling Waiheke Island – You don’t really need a car on Waiheke Island. There are numerous walking tracks and to go to a restaurant in the evening, taxis are reasonable and numerous. Mountain bikes are available for hire as are motorized bikes and scooters. There is a series of 8 walking tracks all around 2 – 3 hours.

Relaxing - even though the Island is only 20km (35 minutes fast ferry, 16 sailings per day) from Downtown Auckland, the place is laid back and friendly. Very tranquil

Whittaker's Musical Museum, enjoy an hour or so of fun with the Whittakers and their collection of antique instruments,
Phone: 64 9 372 5573,
Website: Click here

Golf, yes there’s a course here too, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, this course was used as the venue for the World Cup Golf, 1998. All facilities plus, tennis court, pool, gym, squash and sauna

 

Warkworth and Kowhai Coast

Pakiri Beach Horse Rides. Rahuikiri Road, Pakiri Open 7 days, rides from 1hr up to multi-day safaris, bookings essential.
Phone +64 (09) 422 6275
Website: Click here

Dome Forest Walking Track 4.3km (2 hours to summit-one way) Off Sh1, 12kms south of Wellsford. Steep with roots across the path, slippery in wet conditions. 45 minutes-1hr to the Dome, and the same again to the kauri grove. There is a trig at the summit of the Dome with views on a clear day over the forest to the Hauraki Gulf and as far north as the Hen and Chicken Islands.

Matakana is the home of the Morris and James Pottery a well-known producer of high quality pots and tiles.
Website: Click here

Warkworth is an attractive town with some lovely old buildings and a riverside setting. There are several walks easily accessible from the town. Kowhai Park (Cnr Sh1 and Matakana Rd) has a 45 min walk. Parry Kauri Park, Thomson Road, has a 15-30min circular bush walk, with 2 historic Kauri trees, the riverbank also has a formed track and picnic spots.

Tawharanui Peninsula is covered with walkways, encompassed by the Tawharanui Regional Park. Most of the trails are also open to mountain bikers. One third of the peninsula is farmland but there is a large section of remnant forest in the middle of the park the waters on the northern side of the peninsula are a marine protected area.

Kawau Island: Sandspit, on the coast 8km east of Warkworth is the departure point for trips to Kawau Island. The island is about 8km offshore and there are various options from a direct ferry transfer to the island to a cruise that takes in Kawau and Tiritiri-Matangi Island nature reserve. Kawau Kat Cruises operate these trips.
Freephone in NZ:in NZ 0800 888 006
Phone: +64 (09) 425 8006
Fax: +64 (09) 425 7650
Website: Click here  

Wenderholm Regional Park contains one of Auckland's best examples of mainland coastal forest. The Pohutakawa trees are ideal for picnicking beneath, there is good swimming, walking tracks, a museum in Couldrey House, and the mouth of the Puhoi River is popular for kayaking.

Hunua Area

Hunua Regional Park is Auckland's largest forested landscape. The Cosseys, Wairoa, Mangatawhiri and Mangatangi Reservoirs supply huge quantities of fresh water to the Auckland Region. The Hunua Falls Recreation Reserve is the start of a number of walks of varying length and difficulty. . The Falls themselves are a wonderful picnic spot with a swimming hole at the base of the falls.

Wairoa Gorge has a firm track along the river bank and lovely picnic sites and swimming holes.

Vining Track, 6kms (5-6 hours return), southern boundary of Hunua Ranges, off road between Mangatangi and Kaiaua. Through the Vining Scenic Reserve. with virgin bush and with Kauri and Rata up to 1.8 metres in diameter. Climbs to the Mangatangi Trig and involves some steep sections.

 

Great Barrier Island.

Bush and Beach Great Barrier Island
Great Barrier Island Is just a 30 minute flight from the city but a world away from the hustle and bustle. Ecological diversity has thrived in the predator free environment of Great Barrier Island, where with the help of your knowledgeable guide you will find many species of New Zealand birds, some of them rare and endangered.
Website: Click here

There are many walks on Great Barrier Island particularly in the central region where there is a large conservation area, includes walks to 
Hot Springs, Kauri Dams, and Hirakimata (Mt Hobson).

Great Barrier Buses operate a scheduled service on the island, seven days a week
Website: Click here

Rental Cars on Great Barrier Island:

Aotea Car Rentals
All rates include free transfers to and from the airport or wharf. Pick-up and drop-off at accommodation.
Telephone: 09 4290 474 or 0800 426 832
Email: info@greatbarriertravel.co.nz 

GBI Rent A Car
Locally owned operator, with more than 60 vehicles and depots at Tryphena and Claris. Mountain bikes are also available for hire. Free pick-up and transfer.
Telephone:+64 9 4290062
Email: gbi.rentacar@xtra.co.nz 

Medlands Rentals
Toyota 4WD station-wagon cars. Free pick-up and delivery from Claris airport. Cars from $75 per day and 8 seater van $100 per day.
Telephone: +64 9 429 0861
Email: rentals@medlandsrentals.co.nz 

Fitzroy House, 4WD charter tours, sea kayaks, yacht charters
Phone: +64 (09) 429 0091
Fax: +64 (09) 429 0492
email: tony@fitzroyhouse.co.nz

Fitzroy Dive Station & Boat Hire. By yourself or with local skipper
Phone: +64 (09) 429 0591

Tour the harbour of Port FitzRoy and visit a working mussel farm, explore picturesque islands and sea caves, visit Barrier Gold where Sven's famous kanuka products are made.
Trips leave from Port FitzRoy wharf and take approximately 2 hours. We will take you to some of the best kept secrets of the Barrier.
Phone Alan: 09 4290 212
Water taxi by arrangement.
Bookings essential

Great Barrier Kayaks, Fully Guided Tours and , Lessons Available for New Paddlers,Freedom Rentals for Experienced Kayakers
Phone: 09 4290 664
email: aoteakayaks@hotmail.com
Website: www.greatbarrierkayaks.co.nz

Bicycle Hire Great Barrier Island: Paradise Cycles
Phone: 09 439 0474

 

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