Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Information
Helensville Library
(Commercial Rd;
)
Visitor Information Centre
( 09-420 8060;
www.helensville.co.nz
; 87 Commercial Rd;
10am-4pm Mon-Sat)
Pick up free brochures detailing the
Helensville Heritage Trail
and
Helensville Riverside Walkway
.
Getting There & Away
Bus 60 heads from Lower Albert St in Auckland (near Britomart) to Helensville ($10.30,
1½ hours).
WHICH HIGHWAY?
From Auckland, the multilane Northern Motorway (SH1) bypasses Orewa and
$2.20)
. It will save you about 10 minutes, provided you pay online or by phone (in ad-
vance or within five days of your journey) rather than stopping to queue at the toll
booths.
Between Christmas and New Year SH1 can be terribly gridlocked heading north
between the toll road and Wellsford; SH16 through Kumeu and Helensville is a
sensible alternative. The same is true if heading south in the first few days of the
New Year.
NORTH AUCKLAND
The Auckland supercity sprawls 90km north of the CBD to just past the point where
SH16 and SH1 converge at Wellsford. Beaches, regional parks, tramping trails, quaint -
villages, wine, kayaking and snorkelling are the main drawcards.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Long Bay Regional Park
The northernmost of Auckland's east coast bays, Long Bay is a popular family picnic
and swimming spot, attracting over a million visitors a year. A three-hour-return coastal
walk heads north from the sandy beach to the Okura River, taking in secluded Grannys
Bay and Pohutukawa Bay (which attracts nude bathers).
