new zealand 16 auckland chapter - lonely...
TRANSCRIPT
Why Go? Paris may be the city of love, but Auckland is the city of many lovers, according to its Maori name, Tamaki Makau-rau. Those lovers so desired this place that they fought over it for centuries.
It’s hard to imagine a more geographically blessed city. Its two harbours frame a narrow isthmus punctuated by vol-canic cones and surrounded by fertile farmland. From any of its numerous vantage points you’ll be astounded by how close the Tasman Sea and Pacifi c Ocean come to kissing and forming a new island.
As a result, water’s never far away – whether it’s the rug-gedly beautiful west-coast surf beaches or the glistening Hauraki Gulf with its myriad islands. And within an hour’s drive from the high-rise heart of the city there are dense tracts of rainforest, thermal springs, wineries and wildlife reserves. No wonder Auckland’s rated as off ering the third- best quality of life of any major city.
When to Go Auckland has a mild climate, with the occasional frost in winter and high humidity in summer. Summer months have an average of eight days of rain, but the weather is famously fi ckle, with ‘four seasons in one day’ possible at any time of the year. If you’re after a big-city buzz, don’t come between Christmas and New Year, when Aucklanders desert the city for the beach en masse. The sights remain open but many cafes and restaurants close, some not surfacing again until well into January.
Auckland POPULATION: 1.4 MILLION
Auckland ........................ 62Sights ............................. 62Activities ......................... 75Tours ............................... 79Festivals & Events ..........80Sleeping.......................... 82Eating ............................. 88Drinking .......................... 92Entertainment ................ 94Shopping ........................ 96Hauraki Gulf Islands ......100West Auckland ............... 113North Auckland ............. 118Goat Island Marine Reserve ..........................123
Best Places to Eat » Grove (p 88 ) » La Cigale market (p 91 ) » Depot (p 88 ) » Clooney (p 89 ) » MooChowChow (p 89 )
Best Places to Stay » Hotel de Brett (p 83 ) » Auckland Takapuna Oaks
(p 87 ) » Verandahs (p 84 ) » 23 Hepburn (p 84 ) » Waldorf Celestion (p 83 )
©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd
61AUCKLAN
D AUCKLAN
D AUCKLAN
D
Barrier IslandsTo Great & Little
HarbourManukau
S E A
HarbourMahurangi
BayLong
HarbourWaitemata
HarbourKaipara
Hauraki Gulf
Tamaki Strait
T A S M A N
River
Wai
kato
BeachMuriwai
Matakana
AUCKLAND
Port Albert
Orere
Matingarahi
Hunua
Kawakawa BayWhitford
Sandspit
Leigh
Pakiri
Clevedon
Maraetai
Paparimu
Kaiaua
Maramarua
MirandaMangatangi
PukekohePatumahoe Bombay
Tuakau
Glenbrook
Pokeno
Mercer
Drury
Whatipu
HelensvilleParakai
Woodhill
Waimauku
Huia
WaitakereSwanson
KumeuHuapai
Awhitu
Riverhead
Wellsford
Titirangi
Grahams Beach
Warkworth
Te Hana
Puhoi
Waiwera
Orewa
(Bethells Beach)Te Henga
Papakura
ParkRegionalRanges
Waitakere
Regional ParkShakespear
Forest ParkMangatawhiri
Regional ParkHunua Ranges
ForestWoodhill
IslandTiritiri Matangi
Motuora Island
IslandMotuihe
IslandMotutapu
IslandRangitoto
IslandPonui
Rotoroa IslandPakatoa Island
Kawau Island
Cape Colville
AerodromeNorth Shore
AirfieldMercer
BeachAnawhata
Omaha Beach
ParkRegional
Mahurangi
Regional ParkTawharanui
Regional ParkScandrett
2
122
16
16 1
1
18
Marine ReserveGoat Island
IslandWaiheke
GulfHauraki
Springs ParkWestern
Ponsonby
Museum
Volcanic Field
Piha
Karekare
0 20 km0 12 miles
�1 Going with the fl ows, exploring Auckland’s fascinating volcanic fi eld (p 71 )
�2 Getting back to nature on the island sanctuaries of the beautiful Hauraki Gulf (p 100 )
�3 Being awed by the Maori taonga (treasures) of the Auckland Museum (p 67 )
�4 Going west to the mystical and treacherous black sands of Karekare and Piha (p 115 )
�5 Swimming with the fi shes at Goat Island Marine Reserve (p 123 )
�6 Schlepping around world-class wineries and beaches on Waiheke Island (p 103 )
�7 Buzzing around the cafes, restaurants and bars of Ponsonby (p 89 )
�8 Soaking up the Polynesian vibe at the Pasifi ka Festival (p 81 ), held in March at Western Springs Park
Auckland Highlights