With Christmas upon us and having spent a couple of days boating and spearfishing in the Bahamas, I’m feeling a little home sick! Don’t get me wrong, these experiences and sights are amazing, but there is no place like home, which just happens to be – New Zealand!
So, I have some advice for you and our German friends who are heading to the land down under and are keen for some day trips in New Zealand’s north island during their first ever summer Christmas.
First of all – New Zealand’s pohutakawa tree is sometimes referred to as our Christmas tree because it blossoms in December! We are very proud to be called Kiwi’s (New Zealanders), plus we are also proud of how clean and green New Zealand is. So please, while you are there, help us out by not littering!
Image from Google Maps of NZ’s Upper North Island
Favourite adventure activities in New Zealand’s North Island
I am a born and bred Auckland girl, where as Moss and Cole’s parents live in Whangamata. Therefore, most of our weekend day trips and quick weekend getaways involve destinations around Auckland and the Coromandel. Using photos from our past adventures together, I have created a quick summary of our favourite places in the upper regions of New Zealand’s North Island. These destinations are all reachable via car, kayak or ferry! You can find car rental locations here.
Auckland Day trips
Sunset at Bethells beach (We climbed a tree for this view!)
Large cave at the left end of Bethells beach
Bethells beach is located on the West Coast and is one of our favourite beaches to explore without a boat. While standing on the beach and looking at the water, there is a large cave to the left of the bay and a large number of tunnel caves at the other end (make sure you take a torch!). Also, as you first approach the flat road in Bethells, keep an eye out for cars parked after the bridge – as there are massive sand dunes hidden down a short walking track to the left!
Goat Island Marine Reserve in Leigh
Goat Island Marine Reserve is located in Leigh and offers a great opportunity to swim with large Snapper and other fish that you are unlikely to see outside of the reserve. Even though Moss and I have done a lot of boating around New Zealand, we had never swam this close to a snapper this size before!
Lower Nihotupu Reservoir in the Waitakere Ranges
Wading up Pararaha Stream in the Waitakere Ranges
Waitakere Ranges offer a large number of walks, rivers, sand dunes and waterfalls. We recommend visiting the Karamatura Falls and on the drive to the walking track, keep an eye out for the Reservoir as there is a neat bridge which allows you to walk above the overflow hole (as shown in the picture above). If you are up for more of a challenge, my favourite walk in the Waitakere Ranges is up the Pararaha Valley Track. It was more of a wade than a walk, and required a bit of climbing and swimming! Unfortunately it is difficult to Google, so we recommend searching ’92 Lone Kauri Road’ on Google Maps.
Sunset from Rangitoto Island in Auckland’s Gulf Harbour
The Bay of Islands region
Hole in the Rock at Cape Brett in the Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is an awesome summer destination with tonnes of islands, dolphins and sea life. The hole in the rock at Cape Brett is the most accessible to see due to the number of tourist boats that go out to it, and of course if it is calm enough – the boats go through the hole! Unfortunately when we went in our jetski is was far too rough!
Haruru Falls in Paihia
Paihia is a popular destination for people wishing to visit Waitangi (where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed) and also for people wishing to explore the Bay of Islands. The Haruru Falls are located near town and are more of a quick photo opportunity than an adventure. There is no bush walk required for this one!
Destinations south of Auckland
Cathedral Cove in the Coromandel
Cycling the Karangahake Gorge in the Coromandel
Karangahake Gorge in the Coromandel offers old railways and narrow paths along the river which are great for cycling or walking. Keep an eye out for Owharoa Waterfalls as they are worth a photo!
Whangamata in the Coromandel
Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty
Bridal Veil Falls near Raglan
Raglan is located on the West Coast of New Zealand and is popular for it’s surfing, plus it has pancake rocks which can be accessed with kayak’s. We also recommend visiting Bridal veil Falls which are located 30 minutes in land from Raglan.