Entourée d’eau, l’île Waiheke est la deuxième plus grande île du golfe d’Hauraki. Regorgeant de grottes, l’île se divise en plusieurs péninsules, formant sur la côte une série de baies tranquilles. Ses plages sont immaculées, faisant d’elles un choix populaire pour les pique-niques en famille. Les visiteurs peuvent également se promener sur les différents sentiers qui parsèment ses falaises et ses pentes. Waiheke abrite de nombreuses galeries d’art et installations sportives, ainsi qu’un cinéma, un théâtre et plusieurs vignobles. Les principales attractions de l’île incluent le parc régional Whakanewha, la galerie d’art communautaire de Waiheke, la baie d’Oneroa, la plage d’Onetangi, une série de cascades et la réserve de 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.
S’élevant à 260 mètres d’altitude, Rangitoto est le plus grand et le plus jeune volcan d’Auckland. Sa dernière éruption remonte à il y a 600 ans, et il est recouvert de coulées de lave arides et de buissons se régénérant, y compris de vastes forêts de pohutukawa. Les vues depuis son sommet sont exquises par temps clair, donnant sur l’île Kawau au Nord, ainsi que la Grande Barrière et la Petite Barrière au Nord-Est. Rangitoto est accessible en ferry, et une promenade de 45 minutes sur un sentier bien entretenu vous mènera jusqu’à son sommet, à moins que vous préfériez un tracteur avec une remorque, que vous pourrez réserver en même temps que le ferry.
Le musée d’art d’Auckland (Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki) abrite et expose la plus grande et la plus complète collection d’œuvres d’art néo-zélandaises et internationales du pays. Initialement ouvert en 1888, ce bâtiment victorien arbore un style de château français. Les différentes expositions temporaires et permanentes de ce musée incluent les œuvres d’artistes allant du XIVe siècle à aujourd’hui. Cette extraordinaire galerie d’art abrite en outre des chefs-d’œuvre réalisés par des artistes locaux et internationaux, et vous y trouverez également d’autres installations telles qu’une bibliothèque, une boutique et un café.
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.