New Zealand Travel Guide

Waiheke Island is a haven for many local and international visitors who are looking for a laid-back escape close to the hustle and bustle of Auckland City. Make your way to Waiheke via a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland; alternatively, you can fly to the island taking only 10 minutes to reach the popular gulf isle. Waiheke is a magical little island where you will find world-class wineries, art tours, vineyards, wine tours, Olive Groves, Diving, sea kayaking, Horse-riding, Scenic flights, Golf, Mountain biking, fishing, sandy beaches, Waiheke Easter Jazz Festival (which attracts artists from around the world), sightseeing, restaurants, cafes, accommodation for guests seeking luxury lodgings to backpackers, Walking Tours, Matiatia/Owhanake Loop – where side trips will offer historical highlights, Harley Davidson rides, Whakanewha Regional Park – ideal for children at high tide where the water is shallow and warm. Waiheke revolves around a relaxed, casual atmosphere with a we

With over 140 kilometres of coastline and more than 500 parks, play areas and walkways, the North Shore are where the great outdoors is celebrated. With its many suburbs, the North Shore offers residents and visitors a diverse range of sights and sounds. Albany holds the North Harbour Stadium which hosts international cup matches. Birkenhead is a busy, bustling township with picturesque streets that visitors love to stroll through and take in while on their way to the local eateries and stores. The coastal highlights on the North Shore have many picnic areas for families and couples to relax in. There are wonderful fishing spots and waterways for enthusiastic canoeists as well as walking tracks to take you to nature’s wonderous doorstep. At J F Kennedy Memorial Park old gun turrets and tunnels are spread throughout the hills. Devonport is a favourite seaside village with its exceptional heritage homes and buildings preserved by their enthusiastic owners. Here you will find both Victor

Manukau (meaning ‘wading birds’ or ‘only birds’), is rich in cultural heritage and represents the heartland of the area; with its coastal escapes and rural surrounding areas. In the main center sits Rainbow’s End, New Zealand’s premium fun theme park. For an exciting, thrilling and sometimes scary ride try out Powersurge, The Invader, Corkscrew Coaster, Fearfall, Scorpion Karts, Family Karts, and the ever exciting Pirate Ship. Other more family friendly rides are the Bumper Boats, The Enchanted Forest Log Flume, Dodgems, Gold Rush, Motion Master, Mini Golf, and Cinema 180o. Castleland caters to the littlies in your family, with its exciting Dragon Coaster, Bouncy Castle and more. Or come visit the extensive gardens found in the lush volcanic soils of neighboring suburbs Mangere and Manurewa which holds Auckland’s Botanic Garden. The Botanic Gardens is established on 65 hectares of land. There 10,000 plants are grown for the pleasure, research, and preservation of their species for the