Introducing Auckland Region
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.
As a result, water’s never far away – whether it’s the ruggedly beautiful west-coast surf beaches or the glistening Hauraki Gulf with its myriad islands. The 135, 000 pleasure crafts filling Auckland’s marinas have lent the city its most durable nickname: the ‘City of Sails’.
Within an hour’s drive from the high-rise heart of the city are dense tracts of rainforest, thermal springs, deserted beaches, wineries and wildlife reserves. Yet big-city comforts have spread to all corners of the Auckland Region: a decent coffee or chardonnay is usually close at hand.
Yet the rest of the country loves to hate it, tut-tutting about its traffic snarls and the supposed self-obsession of the quarter of the country’s population that call it home. With its many riches, Auckland can justifiably respond to its detractors, ‘Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful’.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Re: 5 free days to fill with adventure in Auckland region on a budget
by newzealandtravel 01 August 2011
Why are you relying on public transport? If you know where to look you could rent a car for around $NZ150 plus petrol for, say 700km …
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RE: 5 free days to fill with adventure in Auckland region on a budget
by OurOyster 28 July 2011
The Coromandel is really good for adventure travel. Not sure how the weather would be though as it will be my first winter here! Another…
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Re: 5 free days to fill with adventure in Auckland region on a budget
by Bestbet 28 July 2011
Woodhill forest about 50k west of auckland has a pretty good mtn bike park, costs are $30 for bike and gear hire for an hour then $5 every…
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Auckland Region
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Auckland Region Overview
- Places in Auckland Region
- When to go & weather
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Things to do
- All things to do (392)
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Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Auckland Region
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1 Volcanic field
Going with the flows, exploring Auckland’s fascinating volcanic field
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2 Hauraki Gulf
Getting back to nature on the island sanctuaries of the beautiful Hauraki Gulf
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3 Auckland Museum
Being awed by the Maori taonga (treasures) of the Auckland Museum
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4 Karekare and Piha
Going west to the mystical and treacherous black sands of Karekare and Piha
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5 Goat Island Marine Reserve
Swimming with the fishes at Goat Island Marine Reserve
Our favourite Auckland Region Blogs (beta)
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Auckland: Far Away But A Bit Too Close To Home
Blog: Away Together - 5 December 2009
We woke up in Auckland and watched Auckland wake itself up at around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday after an all-night flight from Santiago.
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New Zealand round-up
Blog: Itinerant Londoner - 16 November 2009
New Zealand was never part of my plan originally – but when I realised I had to fly via there to get from Chile to Asia, I figured I might as well stop there for a few days to get a little taster of the place. Whenever I mentioned my plans to spend just six days [...]
