Completamente rodeada por agua, la Isla Waiheke es famosa por ser la segunda isla más grande del Golfo de Hauraki. Con un sinfín de cuevas, la isla se abre en varias penínsulas y su costa se rompe en una serie de bahías. Las playas de esta isla son absolutamente impolutas y unas de las favoritas para picnics en familia. También es posible recorrer la isla mediante la serie de senderos y caminos que cruzan las colinas y llegan a los acantilados. Waiheke es el hogar de muchas galerías de arte y espacios deportivos, además de un cine, un teatro y varias bodegas. Entre las principales atracciones de la Isla Waiheke se encuentran el Parque Regional Whakanewha, la Galería de Arte Comunitaria de Waiheke, la Bahía Oneroa, la Playa Onetangi, las cascadas Cascades y la Reserva Pohutukawa.
Piha Beach, on the wild Tasman coast, is famous for the Lion Rock vistas, black sand beaches, great surf and deadly rips. If you venture into the water, do so only between the lifeguard flags. Changing rooms, a shop and campground are available. If coming in summer, bring plenty of sunscreens and a hat as it can be blistering hot on the black sand. The beach is also spectacular on a wild, windy day. From north Piha, there are walking tracks to more secluded beaches.
Located in the heart of Piha's tropical forests is Kitekite Falls, a beautiful tri-level 40 meter (131 feet) waterfall that that flows into a pristine pool. After a comfortable trek through lush forests, visitors are rewarded with the sight of gorgeous white ribbons of cascading water bordered by tall towering trees and Nikau Palms. Take along a picnic and enjoy it on the banks of the pool after a refreshing swim. The adventurous can swim under the falls to emerge behind the sheet of tumbling water. This place is great for a casual hike or a picnic with family and friends and should not be missed.
Also known as Maungakiekie, One Tree Hill is a terrestrial elevation which is characterized by typical volcanic features like scoria cones. This volcanic peak was once marked by a single 120-year-old Totara tree at the top, which was later cut down leaving only the stump to mark its existence. The land is now interspersed with a few trees which were later planted by the Tupuna Maunga Authority in 2016. The summit of Maungakiekie features a very prominent obelisk, fronted by the statue of a Māori warrior, it's lofty perch granting a panoramic view of the surroundings. Underneath the obelisk lies the burial place of Sir John Logan Campbell, who was actively involved in the construction of this memorial to the Māoris. An elevated swathe of open land, One Tree Hill is an ideal location for stargazing.
Con una altura de 260 metros, Rangitoto es uno de los volcanes más grandes y jóvenes de Auckland. La última vez que entró en erupción fue hace 600 años y en la actualidad está cubierto por un bosque en regeneración y caminos muertos trazados por la lava. Con buen clima, la vista desde la cima es absolutamente increíble y alcanza la Isla Kawau hacia el norte y las Barreras Grande y Pequeña al noreste. Se puede llegar en ferry, y para alcanzar la cima deberán caminar unos 45 minutos por un sendero muy bien cuidado. Si hacen las reservas correspondientes, también podrán acceder a la cima en tractor.
Sky Tower, tan alta que parece perforar el cielo, es famosa por ser la estructura artificial más alta de Nueva Zelanda y forma parte del complejo del casino SkyCity. La mejor forma de disfrutar la vista desde la cima es a través de no uno sino dos decks de observación, desde donde podrán ver la silueta de la ciudad de una forma totalmente única. La primera plataforma se encuentra a unos 186 metros de altura, mientras que el Skydeck se encuentra en el piso 60, exactamente bajo la antena principal, y ofrece una vista sinigual de Auckland. Sky Tower también cuenta con un restaurante, bares y muchas actividades emocionantes como Sky Walk y Sky Jump. Sky Walk los llevará a recorrer una plataforma que envuelve la torre a unos 192 metros de altura pero Sky Jump está reservada para los verdaderos aventureros, ya que ofrece la oportunidad de saltar de Sky Tower y quedar suspendidos con total seguridad de una soga.
Jonathan Grant Galleries were established in 1984, specializing mainly in 19th and 20th century English and continental paintings. They also deal in antipodean painting and historical New Zealand watercolors. Some more recent New Zealand artists found at Jonathan Grant include Jan Nigro (painting), Josephine Davis, Ion Brown and Ken Kendall (bronze sculpture). The Galleries also provide a specialized conservation and restoration service, valuations, an art consulting service, and they make gold-leafed frames. In 1988 the galleries were expanded to include Artists Gallery next door, specializing in contemporary New Zealand work, and Dilana Artists' Rugs, a permanent display in "the Basement".
Enjoy a relaxing wine and food tour where you can be picked up in a luxury car with a small group. During the tour you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and it includes lunch and coffee or tea. There are different types of tours, including Great Food and Wine Tour as well as the Half Day Tour.
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is an expansive water reserve that is home to thousands of wildlife and plant species. Covering an area of almost 1.2 million hectares, this amazing park covers almost 50 islands and offers you an array of exciting experiences to engage in. One of the most popular activities here is island hopping where you can get a front seat to all the beauty this massive marine park has to offer. Engage in a hiking trail, go bird watching, or simply take a walk on the beach and unwind with your loved ones.
The Muriwai Gannet Colony sits on the cliffs overlooking Muriwai Beach, Maori Bay, and two offshore islands. This place is all action between September and February, with chicks hatching in the spring and flying off to Australia at the age of 15 weeks. They return three to seven years later to repeat the process. The views from the lookouts are spectacular with booming surf, extruded pillow lava formations in the cliffs and gannets soaring in the breeze.