Location
Just 20 minutes north of Auckland City (when no traffic). Long Bay Regional Park and beach at the door (3 minutes). 5 minutes to motorway and major highways. Albany Mega Centre 6 min. Browns Bay shops, cafes and restaurants 6 min. Panoramic views, overlooking Tiritiri Matangi Island and its lighthouse.
Local attraction and things to do
An ideal base from a one-day trip to visit:
- The ‘Twin Coast Route’ with 250km of walking and tramping tracks
- The West Coast surf beaches with black sands and unspoilt beauty renowned for the filming (‘The Piano’, ‘Xena’ and ‘Hercules’), Muriwai Beach to see the Gannet Colony,historic Helensville and the wineries of the Kumeu
- The Matakana Coast (vineyards, art galleries, sculpture gardens, Morris & James tile works, Sheepworld, local farmers and country markets, Mahurangi and Tawhuranui regional parks, dive and snorkeling around Goat Island and the marine reserve, horse riding on the beach at Pakari, take a boat to the Historic Mansion House on Kawau Island which has great walks, see the giant Kauri trees at Warkworth Museum and Parry Kauri Park)
- The Hibiscus Coast (Waiwera Hot Thermal Pools and Infinity Spa, Wenderholm regional park, Orewa beach, Ski at Snow Planet, Tiritiri Matangi Island native bird sanctuary, play golf at one of several local courses including the international course at Gulf Harbour)
- Hauraki Gulf Islands: Tiritiri Matangi, Rangitoto and Waiheke Island (wine tours and lovely beaches)
- Coromandel Peninsula
- Great Auckland attractions (Museum, Antartic encounter and underwater world, Sky Tower and sky jump, Bridge climbing, Auckland zoo, maritime museum, Rainbow’s end theme park, star dome observatory, Victoria park market, etc.)
- Golf courses
- North Shore Airfield for scenic flights and trip to Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula
- Horse Riding, Guided Kayaking Tours, Massage and beauty therapy
