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Northland, Auckland & Coromandel

Why Go? Te Paki Drawn southwards by stories of ’s legendary Coastal Track ...... 56 national parks and in particular the spectacular Southern Rangitoto Island Alps, visiting trampers often overlook the northern North Loop...... 61 Island. This is a mistake. This lush, warm and diverse part of Aotea Track...... 64. NZ is packed with natural and historical wonders. The region’s most famous landmark is Wairua Hillary Trail...... 69 (Cape Reinga), the country’s northernmost point and a popular pilgrimage. Te Paki Coastal Track affords an oppor- Kauri Trail...... 75 tunity to traverse this coast, taking in the epic Ninety Mile Beach. Closer to Auckland, however, are numerous reward- ing tramps including the multiday Hillary Trail accessed just an hour from downtown, and many through the isolated Best Landforms islands of the beautiful . On the east of Auckland, the Kauaeranga Forest Park af- ¨¨Cape Reinga (p60) fords fascinating insights into the history of NZ’s forests and ¨¨Ninety Mile Beach (p58) the people who would change them forever. ¨¨Rangitoto (p61) ¨¨Hirakimata (Mt Hobson, p68) When to Go The northern part of the boasts a mild climate ¨¨Whatipu Scientific with long dry periods in summer. Temperatures range from Reserve (p73) almost tropical around the northern tip at Cape Reinga, ¨¨The Pinnacles (p79) to an average closer to 20°C around Auckland in summer. The islands northeast of Auckland are often a degree or two warmer, averaging 25°C from December to February Best Historical and sometimes climbing to 30°C. Winters are moist, with Sites most of the rain falling in June and July. Weather on the Coromandel Peninsula may differ between the east and west ¨¨Cape Reinga coats due to the mountain range through the interior. Gen- Lighthouse (p60) erally, though, the weather during the summer is good, with ¨¨Rangitoto (p61) temperatures reaching as high as 31°C. Torrential rain, how- ¨¨Aotea Track ever, can occur at any time, especially during winter. Kauri Dam (p68) ¨¨Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (p75)  Northland, Auckland & Coromandel 55 - TOWNS

sunscreen are are sunscreen Auckland (p80) Auckland (p81) Kaitaia (p82) Tryphena Thames(p83) ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ GATEWAY www.thamesinfo.co.nz www.northlandnz.com www.aucklandnz.com www.greatbarriernz.com Northland is home to to Northlandhome is the of 5% Only Ninety Mile Beach is is Beach NinetyMile ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Top Top Tip Come summer, there’s strong a chance of sunshine and north high exposed, these along temperatures ern tramps. A long-sleeved and hat shirt, essential to avoid sunburn heatstroke. and Resources ¨ ¨ ¨ along the sand onsand the along in horseback;lengthis its 90km.under just fact ¨ alive kauri largest the a Mahuta,with Tane today, heightand 4.6m of diameter be to estimated is It 52m. of between12002000 and old. years ¨ kaurioriginal Coromandel’s unlogged, remain forests Forest Manaia the in mostly Sanctuary. Fast Facts ¨ misnomer, historical a overestimated be to thought missionaries travelling by - - . . . nz; nz; . govt . A A Field (Gavalas (Gavalas New Zea New govt . doc . avc

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. . It’s a long way to the northernmost point of Aotearoa, Aotearoa, of point the northernmost to way a long It’s Rerenga (Te Reinga Cape but what a fitting end it is: named – so the spirits’ of place ‘the leaping – Wairua) depart dead the of the souls that Maori who believe by their to Aotearoa from on their journey this point from Hawaiki. homeland, to belongs This honour actually the North Island. of Reinga Cape But no matter. east. further Surville Cliffs, 108km reached pilgrimage, point of the is undoubtedly Aupouri the of the base from hours) two (around peninsula. along the path displays interpretive in excellent told - vari are There the lighthouse. to gateway a grand from in taking the promontory, around ambles ous other and sandy landscape the flaxy, over views expansive Sea Tasman the where waters boundless the seemingly This does end of the like feel Ocean. the Pacific meets the line. DON’T While you’re in the bookshop, pick up a copy of of copy a up pick bookshop, the in you’re While Day Walks of Northland and GreaterAucklandand Northland of Walks Day DOC DOC Great Barrier Field Centre Arataki DOC DOC ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ 300 Scenic Drive; Drive; Scenic 300 May-Aug) Sun & Sat 5pm ¨ doc ¨ nz; 25 Matthews Ave; Ave; Matthews 25 nz; well-written, in-depth features and stunning photography. stunning and features in-depth well-written, doc ¨ www Sat) ¨ DOC Offices & Field Centres ¨ & Janssen) & – Janssen) just one in of series an regional eight-strong Books. Penguin by published guides day-walking Geographicland ion for visitors to the city, it features 150 interesting sites and and sites interesting 150 features it city, the to visitors for ion natural their details companion handy Another as as well history. and animals, is There There is a wealth of guides tramping and natural history books that cover the far north in detail, such as Guide to Auckland: Exploring the Region’s Natural and Historic Heritage Background Reading