Advantages: big city, islands, picture perfect scenery ... Disadvantages: Auckland traffic is a killer
...through some great native bush land and if your only visit to New Zealand is to Auckland city, then this drive will give you a small taste of the New Zealand you will find outside the city.
Piha beach on the west coast is a popular surfing and swimming spot on the west coast but beware of the notoriosly dangerous rips and big surf.
*North Shore and East Coast Bays*
I love this area of Auckland. The beaches are extremely scenic and the small townships have more of a village feel to them. Makes for a nice down to earth visit rather than just sticking to the downtown Auckland area.
NORTHLAND.
Northland really deserves a category of its own as it is full of all sorts of delights to be discovered but a quick run down of the highlights will have to do.
Hire a car or get on a bus and head north...
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Advantages: Great place to see views of city Disadvantages: It is a city and New Zealand is so much more beautiful to go rural
...if you are a backpacker with a discount card like VIP or YHA.
Sky Jump:
For the brave among you the Sky Jump is a great adrenaline fuelled activity to do on arrival in New Zealand, you jump 192meteres (630ft) from the tower looking onto the streets below, this takes approx 17 secs as you a falling at a rate of 75mph.. The cost for this is $175.
Harbor Bridge:
The Harbor Bridge climb is great; also if you are feeling brave you can bungee from the bridge itself, 40m over the water at a cost $99 one of the cheapest bungees in New Zealand. I did not part take in this but my good friend did, it took her two attempts but she did it in the end!
The climb costs $100 and anyone from the age of 7 years can do it, harness and hard hat are provided.
Auckland Museum:
The Museum is a great way to get to know about New Zealand's history...
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Advantages: everything within easy access, friendly people, great atmosphere, plenty to do. Disadvantages: becoming a victim of its own popularity.
...and history of New Zealand. The Zoo is another great day out if only to watch the randy ostrich running around its enclosure. For the more energetic of you there is the Coast to Coast Walkway, which takes you through the City's parks and inner suburbs and up Mount Eden for more panoramic views. Also the local vineyards are home to some of the country's best wines and are worth a visit.
If you fancy lying on the sand head to North Shore, where you have the popular Takapuna or, my favourite, the more secluded Narrow Neck beach.
The nightlife is also first class. For such a small city it buzzes. There is the hum of the bars, clubs and restaurants in the Viaduct, or further into town there are several more dotted around, near the backpacker hostels and also on Ponsonby Rd and the infamous K-Road. Auckland really is an excellent example of how...
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Music inspired by The Snow Goose (to be precise, more later) - is in my opinion the Magnum Opus of Camel. Whilst lacking lyrics, and the musical variety of albums such as MoonMadness and Mirage, this epic showcases the band's talent and skill, and is... more
22.07.2004
11.05.2007
