3 minute read
THINK YOU KNOW AUCKLAND? Think again!
New Zealand’s biggest region throbs with the magic of a metropolis, but for every urban expectation, there’s a pocket of pure oasis. Auckland is going to surprise you.
1. Green spaces outweigh the urban
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Auckland covers over 1000 square kilometres, but this is no concrete jungle. Green spaces seep into every nook, even in the very centre; Albert, Victoria and Myers parks are all minutes, on foot, from the Sky Tower. In total there are 48 dormant volcanoes and 27 regional parks to delve into, as well as a traditional Japanese garden at Western Springs Lakeside Park (Fukuoka Garden), a seldom busy boardwalk skimming the watery edges of Ōrakei Basin and the colossal Cornwall Park with lawns, free barbecues and farm animals. Further afield (but only by 40 minutes in the car) Te Henga (Bethells Beach) boasts a gigantic, explorable cave and the lush Waitākere Ranges Regional Park swells with rainforest and waterfalls.
Duder Regional Park, East Auckland © Todd Eyre
2. Getting off the beaten track is easy
Simply take to the water – we’re surrounded by it! Enjoy a guided kayaking sunset tour to Rangitoto Island, the enormous domed volcano that defines our horizon, or go full throttle and tackle Te Ara Moana. This self-guided, five-day kayaking journey covers Auckland’s southeastern coastline, with nightly stopovers at remote regional parks. For family-friendly kayaking, explore Ōkura Marine Reserve at night. Just 20 minutes' drive out of central Auckland, the water glows neon blue due to bioluminescence.
Walking the Hillary Trail © ATEED
3. There are fields of rolling vineyards
Auckland’s first vineyards were planted in Kumeū, and you need only drive 25 minutes west to find cellar doors and wine tasting. Highlights include Babich Wines with its sun-drenched deck and picnic area, Soljans Estate Winery for an award-winning and Mediterranean-inspired café, and Coopers Creek Vineyard which hosts the Summer Sunday Jazz event every weekend from January. Waiheke Island boasts over 30 vineyards just 40 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland. Why not book a horse ride with Waiheke Horse Worx and trot along the beach to various cellar doors.
Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant, Waiheke Island
Miles Holden
4. Pockets of bliss exist everywhere
Dazzling Tāmaki Drive connects downtown Auckland to a string of sandy beaches. Along the route is Parnell Baths, an historic 60m outdoor Lido with hot pools, loungers and a grassy picnic area. Entry is free for children under 16 and it’s open throughout summer. If you’ve brought your surfboard, head north to golden Orewa or continue to Te Arai. This small coastal community is a 90-minute drive north of Auckland, and a little-known gem. Its regional park has a campground, silky beach and sheltered swimming holes. Hardened wave-chasers should hit the surf along West Auckland’s rugged beaches, followed by a massage at Castaways Resort. Straddling the cliffside, its wild location also boasts glamping with a sunken outdoor bathtub.
View of Central Auckland
Getty Images
5. There are dreamy islands on the doorstep
Home to New Zealand’s largest marine reserve, the Hauraki Gulf stretches from Auckland’s shores to the Coromandel Peninsula and is freckled with islands, many of which are beautifully remote but accessible by ferry from downtown Auckland. You can sunbathe on the white sands of Waiheke Island, climb the volcanic cone of Rangitoto or venture to adjoining Motuora Island for its campground and crystalline water. Tiritiri Matangi is governed by wildlife and flush with birds, and Great Barrier Island is so gorgeously rugged, it’d make Robinson Crusoe swoon (and we’re pretty sure he wouldn’t mind the natural hot springs here, either). That’s just a handful of several islands you can sail to and from.
Orewa Beach, North Auckland © Getty Images
6. It’s surprisingly easy to get around
Navigating a new region can be overwhelming but in Auckland there's plenty of public transport. We have a convenient LINK bus service which is ideal for visitors. Look for the red, green, blue and orange buses which loop around central Auckland in varying degrees of distance from the centre; they facilitate many of our must-see places. Head to our premier transport hub, Britomart Transport Centre in downtown Auckland for trains, nearby ferry departures and buses, including the SkyBus for airport transfers. Invest in a HOP card for cheaper fares, available to buy across Auckland; check at.govt.nz for retailers. Auckland is also well facilitated for bikes, with an extensive network of bike lanes. The Nelson Street Cycleway which was once a motorway off ramp is now a super cool (and super bright) pink pathway snaking through Auckland's bustling heart.
