Get Active in Auckland Region
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Long Bay Coast Walk
This fascinating walk on Auckland's
North Shore takes visitors along the east coast of Long Bay Regional Park, offering fine views, native bush, farmland, a historic homestead, beaches, an estuary, rock pools and a marine reserve. The return trip (via farm or rocks) takes some three hours, and there is also a shorter walk to beautiful Pohutukawa Bay (1hr). If you're returning via the rocks, check the tides, as it's only possible about three hours either side of low tide. A self-guide brochure, explaining sights along the way, is available from Parksline.
Auckland Domain
Auckland's oldest city park is the ideal place for a stroll or picnic, with 82ha of beautiful gardens, ponds, sports grounds and walks. The Auckland Museum, with its fascinating collection of Maori treasures, lies at the heart of the park, perched on a hill with panoramic views across the harbour. The park is also home to the fernery, featuring native New Zealand ferns, and the Winter Gardens, with their tropical flowers and plants. During the summer, the park is also a venue for a series of free 'Summer City' concerts on Sundays. Visitors can pack a picnic and catch a jazz concert at the band rotunda from 2pm-4pm, or classical music at the Winter Gardens from 5pm-6.30pm.
- The Link buses service Auckland Domain and Museum.
Piha
Auckland's rugged west coast, with its black volcanic sands, has some of the region's most magnificent beaches, ideal for surfing and coastal walks. Best known is Piha, a small seaside community backed by bushclad hills, and fronted by two of Auckland's best surf beaches. A short but steep climb up Lion Rock, perched on the sand between North and South Piha, offers great views of the area. A second walk from the Glen Esk car park leads to a waterfall with swimming holes. Neighbouring Karekare Beach is well worth a visit too. It's here that New Zealand director Jane Campion filmed the dramatic opening scenes of her film,
The Piano.
- Piha is about an hour's drive west of Auckland, in Waitakere Regional Park. Private transport is required. There is a caravan park and camping facilities.
- Accommodation in Piha
Muriwai Gannet Colony
The Takapu Refuge is New Zealand's northernmost mainland gannet colony located on Otakamiro Point in
Muriwai Regional Park. Two viewing platforms provide excellent views of the 1200 pairs of adults which nest here during summer. Gannets return to the Takapu Refuge between July and October when courtship takes place, followed by breeding season from August to March. December is an especially good time to visit, as the chicks clamour for food and their parents dive for fish, dropping from heights of up to 30m.
Coast To Coast Walkway
This excellent 16km (4-6 hour) walk crosses Auckland's narrowest neck of land - an isthmus never more than 9km wide – from coast to coast. On the way, you'll climb two of the city's famous volcanoes - Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill) and Maungawhau (Mt Eden). You'll also see volcanic sites, historic villas, trees, birds, parks, gardens and rock walls, and enjoy dramatic ocean-to-ocean vistas of the vast Manukau and Waitemata harbours. The trail starts at Viaduct Harbour - follow the yellow markers south to Onehunga (from Onehunga, follow the blue markers north). A self-guide brochure is available from Auckland City Council.
- Buses run in both directions for the return journey.
Islands in the Gulf
Rangitoto Island
One of the most accessible Gulf Islands, Rangitoto's volcanic peak is a harbour icon. With its unique scoria landscape and native bush, the island makes for an excellent day trip. Well-formed tracks (many built by convict labour) and boardwalks lead through the mangrove swamp and into the bushclad exterior. The walk up the summit (259m) is one of Auckland's most popular, with 360 degree views of the harbour and city skyline, or catch the explorer train tour if you don't fancy the climb. The island also has some historic baches (NZ holiday homes) and several swimming beaches ideal for a picnic.
- Ferries depart for Rangitoto Island from the downtown Ferry Building on Quay Street.
Kawau Island
This scenic island is most famous for its elegant Mansion House, the home of New Zealand's former governor, Sir George Grey. The house has been beautifully restored and furnished as it was in Grey's time, and for a small cost, visitors can wander through the lovely rooms with their rich kauri panelling. A network of walks links historic sites and scenic lookouts with picnic areas and sheltered coves, while the more adventurous can explore the remains of the old coppermine.
Tiritiri Matangi Island
This beautiful open bird sanctuary provides a unique opportunity to see endangered New Zealand birds in their natural habitat. An hour-long guided walk ($5) takes visitors through native bush to view native species including the bellbird, saddleback, North Island robin, the little spotted kiwi and tui. At the end of the tour, enjoy a picnic by the oldest lighthouse in the Hauraki Gulf, go exploring on a bushwalk or have a swim at one of the island's sheltered coves.
- Ferries depart for Tiritiri Matangi from the Ferry Building on Quay Street on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 9am.
Great Barrier Island
Sandy surf beaches, regenerating kauri forest, natural hotpools, bushwalking, camping and watersports are just some of the diverse attractions available on this rugged, bushclad island. Most visitors come here to enjoy a summer holiday in the wild, and walkers will find plenty of challenges, including tracks through native bush to the Kauri Dam, Hirakimata (Mt Hobson) summit, and the Kaitoke Hot Springs. Horse trekking, mountain biking, sea kayaking and 4WD adventures are available, with many accommodation outlets offering equipment for hire.
Waiheke Island
Waiheke is famous for its beautiful beaches, crafts, cafés and boutique vineyards. Natural attractions include Stony Batter Reserve, a large coastal battery located on the island's north-east headland and containing a maze of underground tunnels. At Half Moon Bay, Whakanewha Regional Park offers scenic bush tracks, beach-combing and camping facilities. Oneroa, the island's main centre, is an ideal place to spend a morning relaxing at a seaview café, enjoying a swim on the golden sand beach, or browsing through the boutique shops and the Artworks complex.