DISCOVER
West Auckland Tāmaki ki te Uru
Somewhat a microcosm for New Zealand overall, West Auckland is where wild ocean bites at idyllic coastline and roads weave through vineyards and bucolic vistas before untamed rainforest swallows them whole.
THE WAITĀKERE RANGES Visit Arataki Visitor Centre in Ōratia for information on the area’s 250km of walking trails, giant kauri trees and Māori carvings. Due to kauri dieback disease, many tracks are closed; the team at the Visitor Centre can advise.
KAIPARA REGION Hikers can’t resist Kaipara2kaipara, a three-day selfguided walk, crossing farmland, Mt Auckland (Atuanui) bush, salt marshes and wetland, while water lovers relish the five-hour cruise across Kaipara Harbour.
Kaipara sunset, West Auckland © Getty Images
THE CATALINA
COASTAL WALKWAY
Hugging handsome coastline, this 5km walk in Hobsonville Point loops its way past native bush, large parks (including an off-leash green for your pooch), the harbour and an old rifle range. Cyclists are welcome too.
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WINTER AUCKLAND – FREE OFFICIAL GUIDE