Joanna James
Despite quite the collection of attractions in Auckland, the variety of parks that you could visit will truly blow your mind. Among its assortment of national and regional parks featuring numerous endangered species you may occasionally spot, here are 8 parks that you must absolutely not let up on!
This is a protected sanctuary for endangered bird species of New Zealand. Situated a 75-minute ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf, ferry’s run on the regular to ensure maximum accessibility. The island is full of trails and coastline views to indulge in and for the more adventurous souls, a hike could be the highlight of the trip. A single round-trip ferry gives you a total of 5 hours to observe and educate yourself about 12 different endangered species of bird and species of reptiles that roam the island.
The luscious beaches, splendid vineyards and thick rainforests never cease to amaze visitors with being just a 40-minute ferry ride away from busy Auckland. The ziplining adventure is the most spectacular thing to be doing on your vacation in Auckland and you would feel nothing but pure bliss and heart-warming content as you whiz over the beautiful landscape experiencing beauty at its best.
Only a 35-minute drive from superb accommodation providers like Avani Metropolis Auckland Residences, a tour of the black sand beach and North Island could probably sum of for a healthy dose of nature exploration for anyone. Whichever Auckland City Hotel you maybe lodging at, the tour organizers pick you up and head for the final destination; the Waitakere Ranges. The detailed tour through the rainforest is highly educational and the occasional ancient Maori carvings that you may stumble upon make for a great photo-op! The baffling 5-hour long expedition may be tiring after all but is well worth all the energy spent.
This is the perfect day out for a family, we reckon. A visit to the zoo is absolutely great value on money spent given its extremely well-planned segments to provide loads of entertainment to the big and the small alike. It is commended as one of the best wildlife attractions in the Southern hemisphere and we cannot agree more!
This magnificent attraction is close to the cities of Warkworth and Matakana and is located just an hour away from Auckland. In addition to a number of amazing nature trails that this park boasts, there are also lovely beaches that are perfect for light water activities such as snorkelling. It takes approximately about an hour to get around the park and it is ideal as you can choose to chill by the beach-side for the rest of the day.
Recognized as the oldest national park in the country, it is located in the central region of North Island. Its prevailing mixed culture and priceless natural values have been reason enough to gain the title of ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO. Extra to a bunch of Maori religious sites, and three active volcanoes present within the ecology, it unapologetically flaunts its many species of fauna and flora. Just as much as hiking and climbing are popular at this destination in summer, in winter snowboarding and skiing are the rage at the Tongariro National Park!
This island in all its stunning beauty is home to native endangered species such as Pateke and Kiwi and is located within an hours drive from Auckland. It is the perfect destination to reconnect with nature possibly with a dip in its gorgeous mirror-like lake!
As indicated by the name, this is a renowned destination which has often been the grounds for spotting incredible creatures such as insects, critters, and other animals including the Australian crocodile and alligators even.
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