Auckland Region – World Travel

Warkworth Auckland Region New Zealand

WorldTravelDB.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:21:35 +0000

River-hugging Warkworth makes for a pleasant pit stop, its dinky main street retaining a village atmosphere. Grab a free Heritage Trail brochure from the Warkworth i-SITE (09-425 9081; www.warkworthnz.com; 1 Baxter St; 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-3pm Sat, 8.30am-noon Sun) if you’ve got some time to kill.

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Just south of town, the 8.5-hectare Parry Kauri Park has short walks and a couple of giant kauri trees, including the 800-year-old McKinney kauri (girth 7.6m). Also at the park, the small Warkworth & District Museum (09-425 7093; www.wwmuseum.orcon.net.nz; Tudor Collins Dr; adult/child $6/1; 9am-3pm) features pioneer-era exhibits.

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Waiheke Island Auckland Region New Zealand

WorldTravelDB.com — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:21:35 +0000

Waiheke is 93 sq km of island bliss only a 35-minute ferry ride from the CBD. Once they could hardly give land away here; nowadays multimillionaires rub shoulders with the old-time hippies and bohemian artists who gave the island its green repute. Auckland office workers fantasise about swapping the daily motorway crawl for a watery commute and a warm, dry microclimate.

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On Waiheke’s city side, emerald waters lap at rocky bays, while its ocean flank has some of the region’s best sandy beaches. While beaches are the big drawcard, wine is a close second. There are 26 boutique wineries to visit, many with swanky restaurants and breathtaking city views. On top of that, the Waiheke Arts Trail encompasses 26 galleries and craft stores.

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Orewa Auckland Region New Zealand

WorldTravelDB.com — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:21:35 +0000

Locals have fears that Orewa is turning into NZ’s equivalent of Queensland’s Gold Coast, but until they start exporting retirees and replacing them with bikini-clad parking wardens that’s unlikely to happen. It is, however, very built-up and high-rise apartment towers have begun to sprout.

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North Of Auckland Auckland Region New Zealand

WorldTravelDB.com — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:21:35 +0000

The Auckland region sprawls 90km north of the CBD to just past the point where SH16 and SH1 converge at Wellsford. Beaches, regional parks, quaint villages, kayaking and snorkelling are the main drawcards. The multilane Northern Motorway currently takes you as far as Orewa on the Hibiscus Coast. During the lifetime of this book an extension to Puhoi should be completed, hopefully easing the Christmas period gridlock. Until then, SH16 through Kumeu and Helensville is a sensible alternative during peak season; ask a local.

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Matakana And Around Auckland Region New Zealand

WorldTravelDB.com — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:21:35 +0000

Matakana suffers from reverse alcoholism – the more wine gets poured into it, the more genteel it becomes. A few years ago it was a nondescript rural village with a handful of heritage buildings and an old-fashioned country pub. Now the locals watch bemused as Auckland’s chattering classes idle away the hours in stylish wine bars and cafés. The most striking symbol of the transition is the fantastical Matakana Cinemas (09-422 9833; www.matakanacinemas.co.nz; 2 Matakana Valley Rd; adult/child $10/8; 10am-8.30pm) complex, its domed roof reminiscent of an Ottoman bathhouse. The humble Farmers Market (8am-1pm Sat) is held in its shadow – or should that be Farmers Upmarket?

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The reason for this epicurean ecstasy is the success of the area’s boutique wineries. They’re developing a name for Pinot Gris, Merlot, Syrah and a host of obscure varietals. Local vineyards are detailed in the free Matakana Coast Wine Country brochure, available from the Matakana Information Centre (09-422 7433; www.matakanacoast.com; 10am-1pm Tue-Sun) in the foyer of the cinema. In the same building, the Vintry (09-423 0251; tastings from $8.50; 10am-10pm) is a wine bar that serves as a one-stop cellar door for all the producers.

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Hauraki Gulf Islands Auckland Region New Zealand

WorldTravelDB.com — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:21:35 +0000

The Hauraki Gulf, stretching between Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula, is dotted with motu (islands) and gives the Bay of Islands stiff competition in the beauty stakes. Some are only minutes from the city and make excellent day trips: wine-soaked Waiheke and volcanic Rangitoto really shouldn’t be missed. Great Barrier requires more effort (and cash) to get to, but provides an idyllic escape from modern life.

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There are 47 islands in the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park, administered by DOC. Some are good-sized islands, others are no more than rocks jutting out of the sea. They’re loosely put into two categories: recreation and conservation. The recreation islands can easily be visited and their harbours are dotted with yachts in summer. The conservation islands, however, have restricted access. Permits are required to visit some, while others are closed refuges for the preservation of rare plants and animals, especially birds.

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Great Barrier Island Auckland Region New Zealand

WorldTravelDB.com — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:21:35 +0000

Great Barrier (Aotea) is the largest island in the gulf (285 sq km) and NZ’s fourth-largest behind North, South and Stewart Islands. It’s rugged and scenic, resembling the Coromandel Peninsula to which it was once joined. Named by Captain James Cook, Great Barrier Island later became a whaling, mining and logging centre, but all these industries have had their day. Most of the island is publicly owned and managed by DOC.

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Great Barrier has unspoilt beaches, hot springs, old kauri dams, a forest sanctuary and a network of tramping tracks. Because there are no possums on the island, the native bush is lush. The west coast has safe sandy beaches, while the east coast beaches are good for surfing. Mountain biking, swimming, fishing, diving, boating, kayaking and just relaxing are other popular activities.

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Auckland Region New Zealand

WorldTravelDB.com — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:21:35 +0000

Paris may be the city of love, but Auckland is the city of many lovers, according to its Maori name, Tamaki Makaurau. In fact, her lovers so desired this beautiful place that they fought over her for centuries.

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It’s hard to imagine a more geographically blessed city. Its two magnificent harbours frame a narrow isthmus punctuated by volcanic cones and surrounded by fertile farmland. From any of its numerous vantage points you’ll be astounded at how close the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean come to kissing and forming a new island.

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