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.
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.
L’un des plus grands cônes de scorie du champ volcanique d’Auckland, le mont Éden s’élève à 196 mètres d’altitude et abrite trois cratères avec de vastes vestiges terrestres de stockage, défensifs et d’habitation. Appelé « Maungawhau » (colline de l’arbre whau) en maori, le mont Éden est le principal poste de triangulation de la région. Accessible par la route et à pied, il offre des vues imprenables sur Auckland jusqu’au golfe d’Hauraki et au-delà. Venez en bus ou marchez 15 minutes depuis la gare ferroviaire. À proximité, la Government House accueille chaque année le Summer Matinee Concert de l’orchestre philharmonique d’Auckland.
This island in the Hauraki Gulf is a haven for endangered native birds such as Takahe, Silvereye and Kokako. Managed by the Department of Conservation, their staff is available for guided walks. Access to the island is limited, and ferry bookings are essential. In the summer, Hobb's Beach provides the opportunity for swimming and picnicking. Walks are easy to moderate in difficulty and range from ten minutes to four hours. There are extensive sea views from the Tiritiri lighthouse - once the most powerful in the Southern Hemisphere, and a souvenir shop for a memento of your visit. Ferries to the island start from Auckland.
From Queen Street walk up Vulcan Lane to enter Auckland's "fashion central." The narrow and sometimes cobbled streets and alleyways are home to some of New Zealand's top designer labels including Kate Sylvester, Karen Walker, Zambesi and World. Bring all of your credit cards and check out top international labels such as Versace, in the new and very chic Chancery pedestrian mall. Chanel-suited women trot alongside gray office workers and designer dressed-down students - there's a bustling sidewalk café or restaurant to match all styles. Cross Victoria Street onto Lorne Street, for a more Bohemian flavor, including cool second-hand book stores and New Zealand-made arts and crafts. Turn left at the end of Lorne Street, past the New Gallery and the Auckland Art Gallery. Head back along Kitchener Street to complete a loop of Auckland's finest exhibiting art galleries. It must be time for that coffee back on High Street!
Tamaki Drive, a pohutukawa-lined waterfront esplanade, runs from the busy container wharves of downtown Auckland to St Heliers Bay, 10 kilometres to the east. It is a popular recreational area--half of the wide footpath is dedicated to cyclists and Rollerbladers. The drive winds in and out of beautiful bays and past numerous cafes and restaurants. The views of the harbour and Rangitoto Island are magnificent.
Smaller and more intimate than Piha or Muriwai, Te Henga beach offers booming surf, bush walks and spectacular vistas. There are walking tracks north, over the headlands, to O'Neill Bay, which is popular with surfers. The cliffs to the back of the beach are composed of pillow lavas, which were formed when the flowing lava hit the surf and solidified in place. There are toilets and changing sheds at the car park.
Maungauika/North Head Historic Reserve is important strategically, as it stands at the entrance to the inner harbor and looks out over the Hauraki Gulf. It is covered with military remains dating from pre-European times to the World War II era. Tunnels link many of the gun emplacements built during World War II. A few big guns still remain. Allow a couple of hours to walk from the Devonport ferry landing to the top of North Head and enjoy the panoramic vista.
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.
Formed as a result of volcanic eruptions some 20 million years ago, the Waitakere Ranges span a distance of 25 kilometers (15.5 miles. The rugged slopes are draped with luxuriant kauri groves and lined by black-sand beaches that bear an untamed allure. The ranges are an important catchment area for Auckland's water supply while also being a major recreational area. The ranges is best explored on foot, along the various trails that lead past tranquil pools, crashing waterfalls and other scenic vistas. The Lion rock, standing prominently over the Piha region, is one of the most well-known features of the Waitakere Ranges.
Howick Historical Village is a recreation of a 19th-century Fencible village. The Fencibles were British soldiers who had fought in wars between the period of 1830 through 1840 and were called to settle in New Zealand to defend the country as and when needed. The Howick Historical Village features 30 colonial structures from that era and chronicles the history of the Fencibles right from their immigration to their settlement and the effect of colonization in the country. Costumed docents demonstrate life in the village at this fabulous living museum.