When you want to venture into the wild...
There’s no denying New Zealand is well known for its eco offerings. Its pristine, varied landscapes make for amazing experiences in beguiling natural settings. The city is surrounded by three harbours and verdant rolling volcanic hills – in Auckland, you never have to travel far to be immersed in nature.
Just 40 minutes from downtown and you’ll find yourself amidst lush native forests; 25 minutes by ferry and you’ll reach Rangitoto Island – Auckland’s youngest and largest volcano. It’s not hard to see why lovers of the outdoors flock to Auckland.
Here’s how you can deck out your long weekend with nature and wildlife on the North Island.
Day 1
Arrive into Auckland with a swift transfer to your hotel and get ready to spend your afternoon and evening at leisure, perhaps with a stroll to the buzzing Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter waterfront precincts or the Pride of Auckland dinner cruise.
What better way to discover Auckland’s picture perfect harbour than on a relaxed Harbour sailing cruise with dinner? Imagine the wind in your hair and the fresh sea air enlivening the senses, enjoying a drink and chatting to the friendly crew as you glide under the Auckland harbour bridge.
Sailing enthusiasts can take a rope or steer the helm with the help of the yacht crew, just don’t miss taking in the breathtaking city lights.
Day 2
After a hearty breakfast at either your hotel or nearby cafe, it’s time to venture on the Bush and Beach Coast and Rainforest Walk! Get high on endorphins and fresh air on this epic outdoors tour, where you’ll spend the day discovering the stunning bush and beach surrounding Auckland.
Start out with a visit to the Waitakere Ranges and onto peaceful rainforest walks with local guides to point out the unique flora and fauna. Take a dip under a cascading waterfall, then head to a black-sand beach and enjoy a kiwi-style picnic lunch on the shore.
After such an actionpacked day you’ll want to put your feet up and recharge for a fun evening exploring Auckland’s bar and dining scene.
Day 3
You’ve heard about Auckland’s awesome volcanic landscape, now it’s time to explore it at its core on a full-day canyoning adventure of Piha Canyon. The canyon is set in a steep volcanic rock valley, over the course of the day you’ll walk through lush rainforest, abseil 50 metres into the depths of the canyon, then explore a myriad of hidden pools, caves and jumps.
Relax at the end of the day with a visit to Piha’s iconic black sand beach to see Lion Rock. The tour includes lunch and refreshments as well as all equipment, training and experienced guides.
Day 4
Time to take in one last view of the harbour, or perhaps a morning of shopping at the Britomart precinct. If you’d rather see more of Auckland’s glorious nature, head to Mount Eden (Maungawhau) to see the panoramic views from one of the region’s extinct volcanoes. Back in time for your airport transfer and flight home, taking with you treasured Auckland memories.
