Photo courtesy of Andy Shaw, Manzmystery, Flickr.com
courtesy of Scott Venning
courtesy of Scott Venning
GREAT BARRIER ISLAND - Hauraki Gulf
Great Barrier Island offers a break away from the city with natural scenery, bush walks a plenty and a glimpse at a lifestyle away from the norm.
From beaches to sheltered bays and steep forest covered hills to mangrove estuaries the Barrier has a diverse landscape and locals are always friendly.
Visit the website to know more about the walks and sights available.
Location: Hauraki Gulf, 90km's north east of Auckland.
Price: free | tour charters will cost.
Hours: 24, charter times will vary.
Photo courtesy of motuora.org.nz
MOTUORA ISLAND - Hauraki Gulf
Motuora Recreation Reserve is an 80 ha island in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Much of the original coastal forest and shrubland vegetation was cleared long ago by Maori and European occupants leaving remnant pohutukawa and karo/mahoe scrub growing on coastal cliffs.
Visitors are welcome to Motuora. There is a small campsite and bach, walking tracks and several sandy beaches with safe swimming.
Location: Hauraki Gulf
Hours: 24. Travel times depend on transport providers
Price: free. Transport operators will charge.
Photo courtesy of Andy Shaw, Manzmystery, Flickr.com
Photo courtesy grutness, wikipedia
RANGITOTO ISLAND - Hauraki Gulf
Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland. The island spans a distance of 5.5 km and is an iconic landmark of Auckland with its symmetrical volcano cone which rises 260 metres (850 ft) in height. Rangitoto is Maori for 'Bloody Sky', full phrase Ngā Rangi-i-totongia-a Tama-te-kapua ('The days of the bleeding of Tama-te-kapua'). Tama-te-kapua was the captain of the Arawa waka (canoe) and was badly wounded on the island, at a (lost) battle with the Tainui iwi (tribe) at Islington Bay. There are regular ferry services to the island by Fullers from downtown Auckland allowing you to trek around the island and view ancient volcanic lavar flows, military installations, signs of early european colonisation and flora & fauna.
Location: Hauraki Gulf, Auckland.
Price: free.
Hours: dependent on ferry times, check with Fullers.
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Tourism NZ
GOAT ISLAND - (Cape Rodney to Okakari Marine Reserve) - Warkworth
New Zealand’s first marine reserve, better known as Goat Island was officially opened in 1977. It covers 518 hectares of coastal sea between Cape Rodney and Okakari Point. It will take you a little over an hour to get here, make sure you go when there is less than one metre swell on the east coast and no wind or offshore wind from the southwest. Visibility underwater is best during late summer when water is also warmest. Facilities near the beach include toilets, changing rooms, cold shower, information kiosk, 5-minute loading zone and several camping grounds.
Location: Warkworth. one & a half hours drive from Auckland.
Hours: 24 hours
Price: free.
Photo courtesy of thefisheriesblog.com
WARKWORTH & DISTRICT MUSEUM - Warkworth
The Warkworth & District Museum offers Pioneer-era displays from the early 1900's. The surrounding park lands of Parry Kauri Park offers magnificent giant kauri trees one of which is the 800-year-old McKinney kauri (girth 7.6m).
Location: Tudor Collins Dr, Warkworth.
Price: Adults $8.00, Child $2.00.
Hours: 9am till 3pm daily.
courtesy of Warkworth & District Museum
courtesy of Warkworth & District Museum
PARRY KAURI PARK - Warkworth
Parry Kauri Park offers boardwalks through native bush with free brochures available which describe and identify the native trees and shrubs. The park was owned by the Rev McKinney, the first minister of the Presbyterian Church in Warkworth and the Mahurangi In the early years of European settlement. The land was later purchased by the Simpson family who offered their land for purchase as a public amenity.
Location: Tudor Collins Drive, Warkworth.
Price: free.
Hours: 24
Web: http://www.wwmuseum.orconhosting.net.nz/parry_kauri_park
Photo courtesy of Sincere Photo, panoramio.
Photo courtesy of Andy Shaw, Manzmystery, Flickr.com
WAITAWA REGIONAL PARK - Clevedon, Auckland
The Waitawa Regional Park opened in 2014 and is situated on the coastline in the Auckland Region, near Kawakawa and Clevedon, about 50 km from central Auckland. The park is regarded as one of Auckland's first recreational parks, designed specifically for active recreational activities such as mountain biking, horse riding, kayaking and disc golf. One of the beaches is part of the Waitamata Harbour kayak trail, while another will be a homebase for marine education.
Location: 1168 Clevedon Kawakawa Road, Clevedon. Use the web link for directions
Price: free
Hours: 24. Gate hours: Summer; 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Winter: 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Auckland Regional Council
DUDER REGIONAL PARK - Whakakaiwhara Peninsula
Duder Regional Park is on the Whakakaiwhara Peninsula at the entrance to the Wairoa River near Clevedon. The Peninsula has a long and rich history, which begins with the visit of the famous Tainui canoe in the 1300s. Here you'll be able to enjoying the pockets of original native forest and some of the best coastal views in the Auckland region, there are walks to Whakakaiwhara Pä to see the earthwork remains of this fortified Mäori settlement (21⁄2 hours return) and walks to one of the many beaches. Take your togs, a picnic or your fishing rod, as visitors have done for over 100 years. Camping is also allowed, you'll need to contact the local council for further information.
Location: Wkakakaiwhara Peninsula, Wairoa River entrance, Auckland.
Price: free.
Hours: 24. Gate hours: Winter 8am till 7pm | Summer 8am till 9pm
Photo courtesy of fourcorners.co.nz
Photo courtesy of Andy Shaw, Manzmystery, Flickr.com
courtesy of nztramper
courtesy of nztramper
DOME FOREST WALKWAY - Dome Valley
The walkway is situated 7 kilometres north of Warkworth and offers a track which leads through this regenerating forest to the Dome summit (336m). Its best to take the walk on a fine day, this will enable you to enjoy the view from the summit which allows for an expansive view of the valley including the Sky Tower. The summit walk takes about 1½ hours return, or if your an avid tramper you can continue for the seven-hour one-way tramp through the Totora Peak Scenic Reserve which exits on Govan Wilson Rd.
Location: 74 km from Auckland on SH1, at the Dome Tearooms, 7 km past Warkworth.
Hours: 24
Price: free
Photo courtesy of teara.govt.nz
KAWAU ISLAND - Hauraki Gulf
Kawau Island is one of the largest islands in the Hauraki Gulf and considered one of the richest in history. Its location is 8kms off the coast and about 45 km north of Auckland. Delivering a sub-tropical environment, Kauwau Island offers the crystal clear waters of Kawau Bay which are a paradise for fishing and sailing and there are many sheltered anchorages for boaties. There is a café open at the Mansion House reserve from Labour weekend onwards Saturday and Sundays and most days from December during the summer season for brunch and lunch. There are many native birds on the Island, tuis, fantails, wood pigeons, kingfishers, silver-eyes, grey warblers, the cheeky flightless weka and also many different sea birds, as well as several accommodation facilities available.
Location: Hauraki Gulf
Price: free
Hours: 24
Photo courtesy of Andy Shaw, Manzmystery, Flickr.com
Photo courtesy of ATEED, aucklandnz.com
TAWHARANUI REGIONAL PARK
- Tawharanui Peninsula, Auckland
Tāwharanui delivers the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty. Set on a remote peninsula about 80 minutes drive north of Auckland, Tāwharanui is a blend of white sand beaches, shingled bays, rolling pastures, native coastal forest and regenerating wetlands. Things to do include swimming, snorkeling and diving at Anchor Bay, exploring one of the many walking tracks or bird watching at the open sanctuary. There's a campsite and bachs available for those wishing to make a holiday of the area.
Location: Tawharanui, 80 mins north of Auckland.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web:
ALICE EAVES SCENIC RESERVE - Orewa
Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve is a 16ha forest located at the northern end of Orewa.
The reserve consists of a pa site, a series of pedestrian walkways and a wooden lookout point over Orewa Beach.
The reserve includes 300 year old kauri trees as well as a variety of native trees with many of them labelled along the walkway.
Location: Old North Rd, Orewa.
Price: free
Hours: 24.
Web: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Eaves_Scenic_Reserve