12 Point of interest 1 20 22 Sep 2019 TE HANA PORT ALBERT Route P o r t A l b Helensville 57KM Walking track TAPORA e r Titirangi 114KM d t Atiu Creek R 19 e R AKL Airport 137KM Regional Park n d i h Food e r 21 WELLSFORD a h KA W Cafe IPA RA 18 Store H A R Petrol station B Drivers Tip: O 14 Keep an eye in the mirror Electric car charging U R and let the locals pass Swimming safely. Lake Te Rau Pūriri Regional Park Scenic views Rototoa WARKWORTH Did you know? Iconic photo stop! The Kaipara Harbour is 1 New Zealand's largest Local favourite estuarine ecosystem at Rd Te Korowai-o-Te-Tonga Peninsula 94,700 ha. t s a Don’t miss o S C t o es u W t h SHELLY BEACH Surfing H e a d R Hot springs d 17 Regional park 16 Museum Sculpture Gardens Art Gallery KAUKAPAKAPA Kahikatea Flat Rd 13 NORTHLAND / PARAKAI NORTH AUCKLAND 15 HELENSVILLE / TE AWAROA Kaitaia NZ Wellsford 57KM Whangarei AKL Airport 79KM Wellsford Tasman Sea Auckland 1 12 WOODHILL Love our Kauri WAIMAUKU KUMEŪ Reduce the chance of spreading Muriwai 10KM 8 Kauri dieback. Please: 9 RIVERHEAD Ensure there’s no visible soil on HUAPAI Helensville 27KM footwear, or any carried items. MURIWAI 10 Muriwai Rd Titirangi 41KM Use the cleaning stations when ALBANY MĀORI BAY / MAUKATIA entering or leaving the tracks W 11 18 Stay on the track at all times. A I Te Henga T Walkway E Pacific Ocean M H 16 A Bethells Rd A TE HENGA / BETHELLS T 7 R TAKAPUNA Te Henga Rd B Ā Te Henga / Bethells 11KM O U SUNSETS Lake Wainamu R Pukematekeo 6 W S c HENDERSON a e n Did you know? i i t DOWNTOWN ā c With more than 16,000 5 D AUCKLAND PIHA k r hectares of native rainforest e r Waterview tunnel and coastline, the forests that Lion Rock e Piha 16KM NEW LYNN Piha Rd cover the Waitākere Ranges Mercer Bay Loop Track R TITIRANGI KAREKARE a 4 Titirangi Rd are known to local iwi, Te n 2 5 d Godley Rd Kinross St R 20 g Kawerau ā Maki, as Te Wao Nui i Donovan St r e u a s Arataki Visitors Hillsborough Rd o Tiriwā (The Great Forest of K Whatipu 25KM Lon e Centre ONEHUNGA Tiriwā) after an ancestor who Huia Rd is said to have carried Ambury 1 1 Regional Park Rangitoto from the West Coast 3 HUIA MANGERE to its current location in the Whatipu Rd BRIDGE 20 Waitematā Harbour. WHATIPU CORNWALLIS HARB Titirangi 23KM U O UKA Helensville 80KM A U MAN NU OA K R TE KA UR Wellsford 137KM A N U Ā HOT M AUCKLAND AIRPORT Sep 2019 Discover or re-discover Aotearoa’s 8 Riverhead 17 Omeru Pā Scenic Reserve largest harbours - the Kaipara and the At the head of the Waitematā Harbour lies With three waterfalls - Omeru Falls, Waitangi Manukau - that open to the Tasman a town of 2,000 people with a rich history of Falls and Waitangi Stream Cascade - this is a Sea. Also, look out across our busiest connecting the north-west with the rest (by great spot for swimming, or to have a picnic or harbour, the Waitematā, that connects ferry). Make sure to check out the amazing barbeque. local eateries! to the Pacific Ocean. Traverse Views of Kaipara Harbour Auckland’s north-west in one journey 18 9 Huapai / Kumeū Keep your eyes peeled for a small rest area and enjoy stunning views of all three The country towns of Kumeū and Huapai have on this stretch of the highway - the views harbours. some hidden gems amongst the shops and of the harbour and its rural catchment are cafes along the main road. spectacular! (Top tip: it’s easier to turn into the Travelling from harbour to harbour rest area when driving north) Muriwai Beach today is very different to how our 10 Otakamiro Point is the site of one of our few 19 Atiu Creek Regional Park earliest inhabitants navigated the mainland gannet (takapu) breeding colonies. Some visitors say Atiu Creek is the quietest of harbours and rivers, including The walk around the Otakamiro headland also all the Auckland Council parks. It is also the carrying their waka (canoe) overland. provides informative interpretation of local furthest away from the city, but well worth the Today, we check Google maps and Māori history and heritage. journey. Enjoy harbour views, sheltered bays drive from point A to point B! and bush walks - but take care on the gravel Goldie Bush Walkway DOC (Kauri) road (maybe leave the sports car at home!). 11 Choose from a short walk, an easy 2 hour walk 1 Ambury Regional Park What better place to see views of (one-way) or a more demanding 4 to 5 hour 20 Port Albert Manukau Harbour and to escape the car loop walk in this area of forest where the track Here’s a great opportunity to get off the for a short walk to stretch your legs. For and facilities have been upgraded to reduce beaten track and explore Albertland. Learn those wanting more of a walk there’s the chance of spreading Kauri dieback. about its fascinating history - the 3,000 Mangere Maunga (mountain) right next hopeful inhabitants who arrived in 1862 and door – enjoy the views from the crater of 12 Woodhill found themselves isolated. Their general store a long dormant volcano. Multiple adventures await in this forest where is still there and is famous for its fish and you can mountain bike, horse ride, adventure chips! in trees, four-wheel drive or motorcycle 2 Titirangi A village well worth exploring, off-road and even take on a paintball 21 Wellsford surrounded by spectacular scenery challenge. Go to woodhillforest.co.nz for more In addition to the cafes and shops selling gifts, and nature. Stop for a cuppa or meal, information. homeware, antiques and books, there’s the and discover art and views in historic Albertland & Districts Museum that can provide McCahon House or the inspiring Te Uru 13 Parakai more historical background on the area. Waitākere Contemporary Gallery. Relax in naturally hot mineral pools. There are pampering and massage therapy options Te Hana Te Ao Marama - Māori Cultural 22 available, plus water slides and a large Centre 3 Huia - Cornwallis - Whatipu If you’re up for an adventure and unafraid outdoor pool. Experience and learn about pre-European of gravel roads, then Whatipu Beach with Māori life with a village tour that tells the its caves and sand dunes are a must- 14 Te Rau Pūriri Regional Park inspiring history of the Māori Maiden ‘Te see. Enjoy a swim or relax at Cornwallis Enjoy the uncrowded south head of the Hana.’ Pre-booking is recommended. Beach, or explore Huia and its Settlers Kaipara Harbour. Te Rau Pūriri is unique Museum. because it offers access to one of the best beaches on the Kaipara Harbour and the major Waitākere Ranges lake (Lake Rototoa) on the peninsula. 4 – Arataki Visitor Centre Must Do’s This inspiring visitor centre is the 15 Helensville gateway to the Waitākere Ranges, it offers The Helensville district was originally known Harbour views spectacular views across Auckland and as Te Awaroa - “The Valley of the Long River”. Capture the perfect shots of Auckland’s is a great source of local knowledge. The town’s character buildings are a highlight, harbours by stopping at our recommended If you’re planning a walk in the ranges as are the Museums featuring the history of photo stops, highlighted on our map. please speak with staff for the latest the area. The Helensville Riverside Walkway is a great way to stretch your legs after your updates. Wineries and breweries drive. No journey to Auckland’s north-west would 5 Karekare Beach and Piha be complete without sampling some of the No trip to this part of the world is Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens 16 region’s finest wine and beer complete without a walk, like to Kitekite For a gentle and tranquil 1km walk, there’s no falls, or a swim at a black sand beach. place better than this sculpture and garden northwestcountry.co.nz/things-to-do/wine- Stick to the patrolled areas if you’re trail. country swimming – these beaches have serious surf – that’s why you’ll see so many Black sand, salty air surfers in the area. Any west coast beach with its fresh air and black sand will clear the senses and Pukematekeo reconnect you with nature. 6 The Pukematekeo Summit is a good old fashioned ‘lookout’ point offering forest, Action and adventure harbour and city views. And you won’t The wild west coastline offers adventures need to pack your hiking gear as its only in surfing, fishing and swimming. There are a hop, step and small jump from the carpark to the trig station at the summit! a multitude of adventures on and above ground at Woodhill, and for those wanting Bethells / Te Henga a little more altitude there’s NZ’s highest 7 In addition to the beautiful beach there tandem skydive. are some amazing black sand dunes, shaped by wind and water, that hide the sheltered Lake Wainamu. It’s easy to warm up during a walk then cool off with a swim..