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Many overseas travellers arrive in Auckland thinking they have to immediately head south to go tramping in New Zealand – not so. The rugged Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, boasts New Zealand’s northernmost tramp, a shoreline walk from Ninety Mile Beach to Spirits Bay. Along the way you pass numerous golden beaches that rival those found at Abel Tasman National Park.
There’s also a 100km-long network of tracks that winds past hot springs, over mountains and through stunning groves of nikau palms on Great Barrier Island, in the Hauraki Gulf. Thanks to a lack of possums the native bush on this island is as thick, lush and impressive as in any other forest in New Zealand.
Coromandel Forest Park, on the Coromandel Peninsula east of Auckland, includes the popular tramping area of Kauaeranga valley. The valley is an ideal destination for easy tramps to restored kauri dams and historic trestle bridges.
Surrounding Auckland are several areas for day tramps, including the Waitakere Ranges and Rangitoto Island; both are a great introduction to the New Zealand bush and to tramp-ing in this rugged little country.
On these tramps you’ll encounter fascinating artefacts from the days of logging, and be challenged by steep climbs that rival any in the North Island. About the only thing lacking is huts – there is only one on Great Barrier Island and another in the Kauaeranga valley. Rent a tent if you have to. These tracks are worth the extra expense.
Far North
HIGHLIGHTS
Tramping through black lava fields on the Rangitoto Island Loop ( p41 )
Beach walking to a pounding surf – hard on the calves, good for the soul – along the Cape Reinga Walkway ( p47 )
Viewing one of the well-preserved kauri dams in the Great Barrier Forest ( p53 )
Soothing sore muscles in the Kaitoke Hot Springs ( p59 ) in the Great Barrier Forest
Climbing the Pinnacles ( p63 ) for a spectacular view of the Kauaeranga valley on the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail
TELEPHONE CODE: 09 & 07 www.northlandnz.com www.aucklandnz.com
© Lonely Planet Publications
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CLIMATE The far-north region boasts a mild cli-mate with long dry periods in summer. Temperatures range from almost tropical around the northern tip at Cape Reinga, to an average closer to 20°C around Auckland in summer. The islands northeast of Auck-land are often a degree or two warmer, av-eraging 25°C from December to February and sometimes climbing to 30°C. Winters are moist, with most of the rain falling in June and July.
INFORMATION Maps A good map for a regional overview is the AA New Zealand Road Atlas. Auckland
is the best place to pick up maps for any-where in New Zealand, both for tramping and driving.
Books There are a wealth of tramping guides and natural history books that cover the far north in detail. Untamed Coast by Bob Har-vey presents the history and natural history of the Waitakere Ranges and west-coast beaches, with well-written text accompa-nied by superb colour photos. Walking The Waitakere Ranges by Alison Dench and Lee-Anne Parore covers 30 tramps in the area.
Great Barrier Island, edited by Don Ar-mitage, covers everything from freshwater
Cape Reinga North Cape
MokohinauIslands
Cape Colville
GreatBarrierIsland
LittleBarrierIsland
MercuryIslands
Ninety MileBeach
CapeBrett
T A S M
A N
S E A
ParengarengaHarbour
Great ExhibitionBay
RangaunuBay
DoubtlessBay
AhiparaBay
Ngunguru Bay
Kaipara Harbour Hauraki GulfColville Channel
Mercury Bay
ManukauHarbour
Bay ofIslands
P A C I F I C O C E A N
Kapowairau
PortFitzroy
Whatipu
Te Kao
Ngataki
Pukenui
Walharara
Ahipara
Kaitaia
Awanui Taipa
Mangonui
KahoeMatauri Bay
Kerikeri Paihia
KawakawaMoerewa
Towai Whananaki
KaikoheOmanaia
Omapere
Ngunguru
Parakao
MaungatapereOtaika
Tangowahine
Wellsford
WaiukuTuakau
PokenoMiranda
OrerePoint
Mangatarata
Puriri
Thames
h h
Whiritoa
WhangamataOnemana
PauanuiTapu
Whenuakite
Cooks Beach
KuaotunuCoromandel
Colville
Port CharlesPort Jackson
Baylys Beach
Te Kopuru
Ruawai
Tinopai
Matakohe
Waipu
Ruakaka
Waipu Cove
Kaiwaka
Mangawhai
Point WellsWarkworth
Waioneke Kakanui PuhoiOrewa
WhangaparaoaKaukapakapaHelensville
Te Henga(Bethells Beach)
Piha
Matakawau
Tryphena
WHANGAREI
EAST COAST BAYSTAKAPUNA
HENDERSONHOWICK
MANUKAU CITYPAPARUKA
AUCKLAND
Waipapakauri
Russell
Dargaville
S2
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4
5
1
2
Far North – Mapsp42
p50
p62p56
p461 Rangitoto Island2 Waitakere Ranges Loop
4 Great Barrier Forest5 Kauaeranga Kauri Trail
3 Cape Reinga Walkway
0 50 km0 25 miles
FA R N O R T H • • C l i m a t e 39 Far North