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 Canyoning, Abseiling, Climbing |
P.O Box 56207 Dominion Road Auckland 1003 New Zealand +64 9 834 0501 / +1 800 46 2965 http://www.awoladventures.co.nz info@awoladventures.co.nz |
For an adventurous full day of canyoning, abseiling, and just plain having fun, this is the company you should contact. After an initial 20 minute hike, the next two and a half hours are spent negotiating a river, ending at the beautiful but notorious Piha Beach. Lunch is provided at the conclusion of the trip. The best part is that none of the waterfalls or cliffs have to be leapt from or abseiled down (though these are the recommended routes), there is always an easier option. All gear is provided. There are discounts for more than one person. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Oldest wooden house in Auckland |
P.O. Box 26072 Epsom, Cornwall Park Auckland 1003 New Zealand +64 9 630 8485 http://www.cornwallpark.co.nz/ cornwall.park@xtra.co.nz |
Acacia Cottage and Huia Lodge stand opposite each other in Cornwall Park near one end of the Olive Grove Road. Acacia Cottage was built in Shortland Street in the city in 1841 and is reputed to be the oldest wooden house in Auckland. It is a fine example of how the earliest little settler cottages were built and furnished. Huia Lodge was built between 1901-3. It is a delightful and cosy example of an early twentieth century timber lined home. It now functions as the Cornwall Park Visitors Information Center. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: wcities |
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Indoor skate park |
4008 Great North Road Kelston Auckland 1002 New Zealand +64 9 813 0016 |
Housed in an old workshop on the border of an industrial and a residential area, this venue allows its patrons to really cut loose. The frequently loud music reflects the good time going on inside. With ramps, half-pipes, and other obstacles, skateboarders and in-line skaters can show off their latest tricks. Sessions run for two-and-a-half hours, with Sundays reserved for freestyle bikes, followed by a sausage sizzle. Skateboard decks cannot be hired, but the owner has a couple of 'old dungas' that he is happy to lend. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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City farm |
43 Ambury Road Mangere Bridge Auckland 1701 New Zealand +64 9 366 2000 http://arc.govt.nz/auckland-re... info@arc.govt.nz |
Ambury has been farmed for hundreds of years, first by Maori and then by Europeans. Today Ambury Farm (133 hectares) is a working farm, stocked primarily with horses, sheep and cattle. Its location on Manukau Harbour also makes it a popular destination with bird watchers who look for godwit and knot as well as pied oyster catchers and wrybill. Feed the baby farm animals, see demonstrations of sheep shearing and wood chopping, ride a pony or a tractor! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: ganzalleinunterhalter |
 Photo: Dave Greene |
 Photo: Hugh Winters |
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Guided wine tasting tours |
11 Pentland Avenue, Mount Eden Auckland 1003 New Zealand +64 9 630 1540 http://www.winetrailtours.co.nz/ john@winetrailtours.co.nz |
This tour company allows you to see the countryside, as well as taste and purchase some of the finest wines in the country and the world. There are three tours - a full-day excursion to Matakana (north of Auckland) and half and full-day trips out to West Auckland, visiting four and six vineyards respectively. All of the tours are relaxed and informative, with the opportunity to have a winery lunch at an extra cost along the way. Group discounts are available and bookings are essential. Prices also vary by season. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Broader way |
South East Of Central Business District Auckland 1002 New Zealand +64 9 979 7070 (Tourist Information) |
The focus of Broadway, just a 15 minute bus ride south-east of the central business district, is fashion and this place really hums especially on a Saturday when well-heeled families from the surrounding suburbs come to freshen up their wardrobes. Designer boutiques sit happily next to mid-range, chain stores. Broadway is a shoe fetishist's paradise, whether it be soft Italian leather mules you're looking for, or some solid, funky boots from The Last Footwear Company. For the boys who like their toys the Sony showroom is a popular spot and your little darlings can find their own designer wear at the specialty kids shops at 160 Broadway. When it all gets too much, drop your shopping bags at a café or fast food joint. Broadway also has two cinema complexes, an Olympic Swimming Pool and an indoor mall at 277. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Laela Delprat |
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Canoe hire |
502 Sandringham Road Sandringham Auckland 1003 New Zealand +64 9 815 2073 http://www.kayak.co.nz/ auckland@canoeandkayak.co.nz |
For canoes, equipment and accessories, visit the store in Sandringham. With proof of ability, freedom rentals are available. If you want to make the most of the canoe experience, take a guided tour from the Waiwera base, situated 45 minutes north of Auckland. With day trips around the Waiwera estuary, kayaking the Puhoi River or overnight and weekend tours of the Kowhai coast, all abilities and budgets are catered for. All necessary training and equipment is provided, you can even take a course to learn how to roll! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Public access golf course |
46a Linwood Avenue Western Springs Auckland 1002 New Zealand +64 (0) 9 846 6758 |
Conveniently located five minutes drive from central Auckland, Chamberlain Park, being a public golf course, is the place to be in the swing. The grounds themselves are beautiful with finely manicured greens set amongst native trees. All amenities are available from trundler and shoe hire to motorized carts, leading pro-shop and qualified teachers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Family Fitness Centre |
122 Elstree Avenue Glen Innes Auckland 1002 New Zealand +64 9 527 3260 |
Set in the heart of East Auckland's suburbs, this complex specializes in water sports. With an Olympic size pool, children's pool and separate pool for instruction, a visit is enjoyable with friendly staff and off street parking. Swimmers from the area train at this facility so be prepared for waves and splashing at peak hours. A fully equipped weight room with treadmills and rowing machines, plus aerobic and yoga classes, round out the 'G.I.' experience. To relax after a hard workout, spa, steam and sauna are also available, as well as sun beds, massage and personal trainers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Cool off with the kids |
Grosvenor Street Auckland 1002 New Zealand +64 9 979 7060 (Tourist Information) |
Here's a great space to let the children stretch their legs and burn off some of that pent-up energy. Not only is there plenty of grass to run on, there's also a children's playground with all the usual swings, slides, seesaws, climbing equipment, and flying-fox. In the summertime the paddling pool within the park is a welcome oasis of cool, clean water. It is fully-fenced, with full—time supervision for swimmers, and is equipped with shade cover, seating, and flotation devices. It's also free! Explore Grey Lynn Park further, and discover the skateboard ramp, fitness trail, gardens and sculptures, sports fields and outdoor basketball/netball court. When summer is just around the corner, the park gears up for its famous Grey Lynn Park Festival. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: redking  |
 Photo: NZ Alex |
 Photo: Oscar A. Gárate |
 Photo: amessuperfluous |
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Technology and social history |
Great North Road Western Springs Auckland 1002 New Zealand +64 9 815 5800 / +64 800 66 8286 (MOTAT Infoline) http://www.motat.org.nz/ enquiries@motat.org.nz |
The old pumphouse, which pumped water from Western Springs to early Auckland residents is the focal point of this fascinating museum. The museum houses a magnificent working Beam Engine (one of only three in the world) and numerous vintage and veteran road vehicles and early Auckland buildings. Various displays feature agricultural, forestry, medical, dental, photographic and telecommunication technology. A display of historic aeroplanes, including the only Solent Mark IV flying boat in the world, is laid out at Site 2, reached by vintage tram. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Bentley Smith |
 Photo: bozos_1st_wife |
 Photo: Jane MacKay |
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Sea kayaking adventures |
7A Westech Place Kelston Auckland 1007 New Zealand +1 800 99 9636 http://www.nzkayak.co.nz team@odnz.co.nz |
Outdoor Discoveries offer an exciting range of sea kayaking adventures within the Hauraki Gulf. In the summer, twilight or night kayaking is available. Some longer trips are also available including tailor-made overnighters and corporate packages. Small groups are lead by skilled and qualified guides. Equipment, right down to jackets and footwear, is provided. Caving and abseiling adventures are also arranged. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Indoor wave pool |
38 Alberton Avenue Mt Albert Auckland 1003 New Zealand +64 9 815 7001 http://www.clmnz.co.nz/philips... |
Auckland's premier indoor water park, the Philips Aquatic Centre features a heated, indoor wave pool, a wild hydro slide, swirl pools, a sauna and steam room and a competition-size pool. Only a block from St Lukas Mall, the Centre is a great family destination. Brand new with murals on the walls and plenty of free parking, the centre offers a healthy and fun way to spend an afternoon. It is also popular with business people in the early hours for a morning exercise routine. Admission: NZD7 Adults, NZD5 Seniors, students and beneficiaries, NZD2 Under 5s and non-swimming adults. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Historic grave sites |
Great North Road Glen Eden Auckland New Zealand +64 (0)9 818 5615 http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/c... |
Waikumete is one of the largest cemeteries in the Southern Hemisphere and dates from 1886 when Grafton in the central city became too crowded. A great deal of Auckland's history has been laid to rest here, and various areas include a large military cemetery and a recently opened Maori Urupa. Members of the Friends of Waikumete take guided walking tours around the cemetery on the first Sunday of the month, starting at 1.30pm. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Peter Denniston |
 Photo: Wayne Clifford |
 Photo: Wayne Clifford |
 Photo: Chrysler Menchavez |
 Photo: Sasha Efimov |
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Browse for books |
20 Alderman Drive Henderson Auckland 1008 New Zealand +64 9 839 2260 http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/c... henderson@waitakerelibs.govt.nz |
With eight locations and a mobile library service available, there are plenty of opportunities to spend a few hours relaxing and reading in these quiet, well-resourced libraries. The Henderson branch has a dedicated children's section, with story time on some weekday mornings. The resources available to families extend to games and puzzles as well as a range of bi-lingual stories and those written by local authors. The library collection includes audio books, large print titles, magazines, music, videos and even car manuals. The librarians are helpful and knowledgeable. Free membership is available to residents of Waitakere City and all children who attend school in the area. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Enjoy a stroll around the lake and feed the ducks |
Great North Road Western Springs Auckland 1002 New Zealand +64 9 379 2020 http://www.aucklandcity.govt.n... |
Western Springs, known as Waiorea by Maori, began flowing when lava from Three Kings volcano filled the original streambed 70,000 years ago. From the late 1870s, Western Springs was the main source of fresh water for Auckland. It was pumped across the city via a huge steam-powered beam engine which is now the centrepiece at neighbouring MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology). The springs contain a series of freshwater lakes, filled by the still-active springs, which attract a wide range of waterfowl. There is an excellent, large playground in the westernmost corner, over the fence from Auckland Zoo. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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 Photo: Renee Vousden |
 Photo: Peter Harrison |
 Photo: Emily Walker |
 Photo: Tanya Barlow |
 Photo: Tanya Barlow |
 Photo: Amber Parkin |
 Photo: Anuradha Dissanyake |
 Photo: Gan Huey Ying |
 Photo: FlyingKiwi! |
 Photo: Mike Child |
 Photo: Simon Gould-Thorpe |
 Photo: Carline imeson |