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Auckland Region Itinerary
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 Day 1
- Arrive in Auckland and spend the day exploring the city's sights, including the Sky Tower, Kelly Tarlton's and the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
- For lunch try one of the waterfront venues around the Viaduct Basin, along Tamaki Drive or fashion-conscious High Street, or in Parnell, with its plethora of art galleries.
- Wander through Albert Park and call at the Auckland Art Gallery.
- Dine at one of the city's numerous restaurants or take a ferry to the seaside village of Devonport.
- Stay the night in Auckland.
Day 2
- Drive to the Waitakere Ranges (40 minutes), stopping at Titirangi Village for morning tea.
- Continue along Scenic Drive, calling at the Arataki Visitors Centre before continuing to the west coast beaches or going on a bushwalk.
- Return to the city via the West Auckland wine-growing area around Henderson and Kumeu and stop to sample the vintage.
- Dine at the Hunting Lodge restaurant next door to Matua Winery in Waimauku Valley before returning to stay overnight in Auckland.
Day 3
- Take a ferry to Rangitoto and climb to the summit. The ferry will stop off at Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World or Devonport village where you can choose to disembark and explore.
- Return to Auckland and dine along either Ponsonby or Karangahape (K) Road. Enjoy the clubs and nightlife.
- Or catch the ferry to Waiheke Island. Waiheke offers a full day's entertainment with tours around the sights. Visit the many arts and crafts outlets and vineyards. Dine and stay the night on the island.
Day 4
- Head northwards on State Highway 1, stopping at Warkworth (one hour) to walk along the riverfront and browse the village's arts and crafts outlets. A kilometre further on is Sheepworld with its farm show, souvenir shop and restaurant.
- Head towards Leigh, where snorkelling and scuba diving are available at Goat Island Marine Reserve. Nearby Pakiri Beach provides a surf and swimming beach with horseriding also available.
- Alternatively, head towards the coast where ferries depart for Kawau Island with its old copper mine and historic Mansion House.
- On the way back to Auckland, call at Waiwera Hot Pools and soak in the 26 thermal mineral pools.
- Stay overnight here.
Day 5
- Return southwards, visiting Wenderholm Regional Park and historic Couldrey House (open weekends).
- Call at Orewa Beach and have a swim or walk along its long stretch of white sand.
- Travel along the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, dotted with numerous beaches, and visit Shakespear Regional Park, a working farm, at the peninsula's end. Call at Gulf Harbour marina, which offers a ferry trip to the open bird sanctuary of Tiritiri Matangi.
- Return to State Highway 1 and make a shopping stop at the township of Silverdale, which has numerous factory shops.
- Back on State Highway 1, continue southwards to Auckland. Stop in Devonport or Takapuna for dinner before returning to stay overnight in Auckland.
Day 6
- Heading southwards, visit One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie), which has remnants of Maungakiekie Pa (a Maori fort), and provides panoramic city views.
- Continue to Howick, one of the city's earliest European settlements and home to Howick Historical Village.
- Link up with the start of the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the Pacific's great touring routes, which incorporates such regional parks as Awhitu, Omana and Tawhitokino.
- A must-see for bird-watchers is Miranda Bird Sanctuary along the Firth of Thames. Miranda Hot Springs is the largest thermal pool in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Stay the night in a country town - perhaps Clevedon or Pukekohe.
Day 7
- Travel to the Hunua Ranges Regional Park, which covers some 18,500 hectares of bushland and has numerous bushwalks and tramps. Explore some of the trails.
- Take a lunch stop at Clevedon with its arts and crafts and polo grounds.
- Travel to nearby Ardmore Airport, home of the New Zealand Warbirds, for a scenic flight in a bi-plane.
- Stay at one of the area's bed and breakfast establishments.
Day 8
- Heading towards Manurewa, visit the Botanic Gardens, 65 hectares of gardens boasting some 10,000 species. Alternatively, Montgomerie Farm highlights New Zealand farmlife with a farm show, barbecue lunch and horse rides.
- Visit Rainbow's End theme park, which has theme rides, a motionmaster, go karts and more.
Auckland Region Accommodation
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