Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Hauraki Gulf
Right at the doorstep of Auckland, the Hauraki Gulf is the undisputed queen of New Zeal-
and's cruising grounds. Take your pick: sample city life or escape to wooded reserves like
Tiritiri Matangi Island. Thanks to steady ocean breezes and relatively calm waters, the sail-
ing is outstanding. We took to heading wherever the wind blew us, setting our Parasailor
for the sheer joy of a brisk downwind run or working upwind among a fleet of pleasure
craft.
Every island is unique and distances are generally short. You might hike the ashy slopes to
the volcanic peak of Rangitoto one morning, then sail away on a fifteen knot southeasterly
to end the day off one of Waiheke Island's posh neighborhoods. Tiritiri Matangi is the place
for bird-watching: we paddled ashore and immediately spotted native species with melodic
names like takehe and pukeko. The nocturnal and notoriously shy kiwi, however, is much
harder to find. Peaceful Kawau Island draws many sailors (and city day-trippers) thanks to
the manicured grounds of Governor Grey's Mansion. Other great destinations include
Rangiahua for its secret nook of an anchorage, Motuihe for its wartime history and city
views, and Rakino for its rocky outcrops. Of course, you'll be sharing this playground with
a “city of sails,” but most of the anchorages are spacious and the scenery is beautiful
wherever you go.
One of the best places to get away from it all within a day of Auckland is peaceful Te
Kouma Bay on the rugged Coromandel Peninsula. Literally capping the gulf is Great Barri-
er Island, where you can hike among native kauri trees to a historic dam, summit Mount
Hobson (621 meters), or visit Smokehouse Bay, where a do-it-yourself woodfire hot tub
awaits. Given all there is to see and do afoot and afloat in the greater Auckland area, even
the most burned-out Pacific cruiser can spend months here.
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