Need advice: a week near Auckland

[Seth Wood]

My wife and I have managed to arrange to spend a week in NZ the first week in December. We'll be flying into and out of Auckland, and our aversion to high-speed, breathless sightseeing means we probably WON'T go down to the South Island.

Meaning that I could use advice and recommendations on North Island places to go. My first inclination is to head directly to the Bay of Islands (I am not a city-lover). I also wouldn't mind doing some sailing.

Advice? Spots not to miss? Lay it on me...

[John B]

Send me an email or PM Seth. I don't know if you've read my various threads on sailing this coast over the years. We did do a road trip north earlier this year which refreshed my eyes to some of the countryside. Personally, I would go North and drive as far as I could go, doing the coastal scenic routes via the B.O.I. I'd hop B and B's. Charter a small boat in the Bay? Its only a small area geographically... 10 miles to somewhere and just hop around. If not that then there's endless tourism up there from high speed trips to Piercy island , dolphin chasing, numerous other boaty stuff. Bus tours North to the cape etc etc.
South of Auckland...? A drive around the Coromandel coast ( not for the faint hearted) which is the southern/ eastern most limit of the "Hauraki Gulf".....Rotorua or Roto vegas as they call it :D Lake Tarawera, Taupo all in the middle of the North Island. Right hand coast ... Tauranga perhaps
December gets busy although work typically breaks up say the 22nd so that's when the holiday season really kicks off.

oh... sky tower. go up the sky tower.
http://www.woodenboat-ubb.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=005112

[ 11-11-2005, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: John B ]

[Zane Lewis]

Hi Seth,
I'd second John. If its coastal views Northland and the Coromandel would be my picks. Dad Keeps his Yawl just out from Whitianga on the Cromandel penisular. I'm slowy moving my family to Northland. For some idea of time lines you can do the coromandel in 1 day but it's a big drive. See Driving creek railway.
www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz/Introduction.cfm (http://www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz/Introduction.cfm)
The Thames Stamping battery and mining museam includes walking into some of the old tunnels. Basically drive up the west side and down the East.
Re Northland. My must do's are The Matakohe Kauri museum, Waipoua Kauri forest ( Tane Mohuta the largest Kauri tree left). Do a bus trip for Cape Reinga and 90 Mile beach. On The way up or down stop for a coffee at the town basins of Mangonui, Kerikeri, Whangarei, and Warkworth.

Cheer's
Zane

[John B]

another useful site.
http://www.aatravel.co.nz/map/search-bymap.shtml?loca tionId=1 (http://www.aatravel.co.nz/map/search-bymap.shtml?locationId=1)
These people were on TV this morning saying how they had just made all NZ maps available online... but I haven't found that yet. Give it a day or two ...perhaps there will be an upgrade shortly. Useful as it is anyway.

http://www.aatravel.co.nz/images/maps/northlandmap.gif

If you had the time.. You could turn right at Whangarei, drive up the coast to Tutukaka, catch a tour boat/ dive boat to the Poor Knights, perhaps stay in the Tut area, definitely go for a walk ( 15 mins) to Whale bay ( I love that place) and then continue up the coast to the BOI.

Waipoua( on the west coast) is where Tane Mahuta is.Big Tree. :D

ooo. Haruru falls.. little industrial park there. NZ maritime restoration school. very small, interesting old boats in various states of disrepair and restoration.....

[ 11-14-2005, 03:57 PM: Message edited by: John B ]

[Seth Wood]

This is wonderful, thank you all. So much to see, so little time. I'm beginning to think that six months wouldn't do it justice, let alone six days. Much planning to do...

[joejapan]

.
Seth, having been down there several times, I'd say that you have the right idea. NZ is made for natural wonder; it's not much fun for urban speed freaks and it's nice to meet such warm, friendly people who aren't trying to rip you off.

As far as advice, JohnB and Zane are doing a helluva' good job as virtual tour guides, neh? :D

I'd agree with both of them about the Far North area, it's kinda' like Acadia National Park and the San Juan Islands rolled into one. I took my time driving around up there and enjoyed it immensely. Take the camera !

I would note that, if you do find yourself down around Rotorua, there are a couple of "touristy" things that you might like. Take a short look at the Agrodome sheep exhibition, it's kinda' neat. You'll get to see sheep dogs work, both barking and "eye dogs",which is really interesting. Shearing sheep there was fun, they let the audience participate and you'll laugh your ass off. :cool:

I really can't remember any place in NZ that I didn't like and enjoy. I know you'll have fun. smile.gif

[Thorne]

Hit everything on the above map where the placename starts with "Wha" or "Wai" -- you won't regret it!

;- )

Go up the East coast, back down the West. The Bay of Islands is a must-see, as is Whangaroa. Give the bit north sandspit a miss, head back down the West coast and see the BIG trees. Visit all the parks and reservations that you can find.

[John B]

Just as a general boating perspective , We are exposed to westerly winds as a rule . This means that the big percentage of leisure boating is on the east coast, the west coast is the surf beaches.
Harbours like Auckland/ Waitemata,the BOI area , Whangaroa,Manganui have open access whereas west coast harbours like the Manukau, Kaipara, Hokianga,all have bar mouths.

[Zane Lewis]

Here ars some more links to info
All could ever need and too much to sift through. Scroll down to the links to each area.
http://www.tianz.org.nz/Industry-Facts/NZ-Tourism-Partners.asp
http://www.govt.nz/record?tid=6&recordid=5406

and my pics for you are
http://www.northlandnz.com/
http://www.thecoromandel.com/
http://www.rotoruanz.com/home.asp

Any way where do I stop?

Cheer's
Zane

[Stiletto]

Check out web page Teddybear charters (http://sailingchartersnz.co.nz) if you want to do some sailing in the far north. Nice strip planked boat,it does have a carbon rudder though. ;)

[John B]

I want that boat.

[Stiletto]

John B, start saving, he has been considering selling her and getting something more voluminous, but still with good performance.
She's in remarkably good condition for 20 years of age and now has a brand new mast and main. :rolleyes: She has both a racing and cruising sail wardrobe.

[ 11-17-2005, 05:47 PM: Message edited by: Stiletto ]

[John B]

oh man. ( thats a conflicted kind of expression)

[ 11-17-2005, 06:00 PM: Message edited by: John B ]

[John B]

J P, you've probably got them but these 2 sites would have the best contacts in NZ as far as locating/ knowing about navigators for sale.
maybe you could 'charter' one. or a pathfinder.

http://openboat.co.nz/

www.woodenboat.net.nz (http://www.woodenboat.net.nz)

[John B]

Two different daves run those two sites J P so when you're ready just contact a Dave and I'm sure they'll put out the feelers and keep a look out (with four eyes)for you.
PS. did you see this thread. Wellsford city :D

http://www.woodenboat-ubb.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=005122

[ 11-17-2005, 10:30 PM: Message edited by: John B ]