Cornwallis Wharf; sailing towards Auckland Harbour Bridge. Photo / NZME, Jim Eagles
Cornwallis Wharf; sailing towards Auckland Harbour Bridge. Photo / NZME, Jim Eagles
It is all around us and this season is the best time to enjoy it
SAIL UNDER THE HARBOUR BRIDGE
Despite the Westhaven Marina being chock-full of sailing boats, I imagine, that like me, most Aucklanders don't actually know anyone who owns a boat, so to get out on the harbour requires us to pay someone who does.
The options are expensive and aimed at the tourist dollar, but if you have the money there are operators who will take you out on a yacht to see the city from a new angle, and often go under the harbour bridge, which is an impressive sight.
Taking a jetboat trip on the harbour is another expensive way to do it, but a thrilling one. If those options are a bit steep, take the cheap way out and catch the ferry to Northcote Point, and get a trip under the bridge as part of your $6 ticket price.
When you get there, walk up to the Northcote Tavern for lunch and a pint, because when you think about it, you just saved yourself hundreds of dollars.
If you plan to be one of those sailboat owners one day, there are a number of sailing schools around Auckland — sign yourself or the kids up to weekly lessons and enjoy the thrill of hoisting stuff and swinging booms, and tacking and/or jibing.
GET IN A KAYAK
If you're looking for a new way to see the Waitemata, there are several operators who take kayak tours to Rangitoto.
This guided tour involves an approximately 75-minute paddle on kayaks across the harbour to the island, a hike to the summit for some of Auckland's best views, a swim, and sometimes lunch or a barbecue at the base of the volcano.
If you take a sunset tour, you'll paddle back in the dark, with the city's lights sparkling on the water. Alternatively you can hire your own kayaks and do the trip independently — take a packed lunch and enjoy a hugely satisfying day trip.
If you're on Waiheke, do an idyllic guided kayak tour around the coastline and discover places you wouldn't be able to reach by car or on foot.
Or, north of Auckland, a wonderful kayak experience is on the Puhoi River — take a leisurely two-hour non-guided tour from Puhoi Village down river to Wenderholm Regional Park, going with the tide.
It's a great easy paddle that's good for kids as well, and you'll float through native bush, farmland and mangroves enjoying a bit of birdspotting on the way.
Once you reach Wenderholm a shuttle will be waiting to take you back to Puhoi Village where, happily, you'll find the charming historic Puhoi Pub.
GO FOR A GOOD LUNCH
Head to the famous Riverhead Tavern northwest of Auckland for a hearty pub lunch without worrying about who's going to drive ... The Riverhead Cruiser ferry does daily trips to the tavern – believed to be the oldest riverside tavern in New Zealand.
It departs downtown Auckland daily and heads into upper Waitemata Harbour, then up Rangitopuni Creek and delivers you to the door (well, the jetty) of the pub.
The departure times are based on the tide and the total duration of the cruise is 5.5 hours — that's three hours on the ferry all up, and two and a half hours for a leisurely meal at the pub.
WITH A WORKOUT
If sitting on a boat while someone else drives is not for you, then maybe you are one of the many who should join the stand-up paddle boarding craze.
It shows no sign of slowing and on any given weekend you can see dozens of people appearing to be walking on water at popular SUP spots around Auckland.
There are shops and outlets in Mission Bay, Takapuna, Pt Chevalier and more from which to hire the boards and all include instruction or lessons to get you started. It's a gentle way to be on the water on a calm day while giving you quite a good workout.
The Riverhead ferry at the Riverhead Tavern dock; inset, paddleboarding; kokako feeding on pohutukawa on Tiritiri Matangi. Photo / Supplied.
If you want the same sort of sensation without the effort, hire a jetski and take it out for a burn on your own, or do a guided tour to one of the beautiful islands in the Hauraki Gulf.
If you have kids who are showing an interest in water sports, head to the Tamaki River Festival in late February next year — there is a range of watersports to try out for free to see what takes their fancy.
END UP FAR AWAY
Take one of Auckland's many ferries to a near or far-off land. You can go for a day's exploring on Rangitoto, Waiheke or Tiri Tiri Matangi — all three have a huge amount to offer for a day trip whether you're after a walk or wine, or beaches or birds.
Or head somewhere closer to home that you may not know well — Half Moon Bay, Devonport, Gulf Harbour or Northcote Point. Find a lunch spot or a park and make a day of travelling by sea to a new place not too far from home.
If you really want to get away from it all, embark on the 4.5-hour ferry trip to Great Barrier Island and while away a week in one of the most beautiful, remote places in New Zealand
There are numerous spots for those wanting to go fishing in Auckland for the day if you have a buddy with a boat, or can get together with friends and charter a boat for the day. But a different and lovely way to fish and stay close to the water is to try kayak fishing.
The reduced noise of kayak fishing is not only peaceful and makes you feel at one with nature, but also means you are less likely to spook the fish.
There are great kayak fishing spots all around Auckland and no end of forums online discussing the pros and cons of each place.
The Rangitoto Channel, Orere Pt, Puponga Pt, Browns Bay, Hamiltons Gap, Army Bay — I could go on (and online, they do). If you don't have access to a boat or kayak, wharf fishing is the way to go and there's plenty of good fishing at Auckland's many wharfs.
Those in the know head to Cornwallis Wharf out west, a 200m long finger in the Cornwallis Regional Park, where the sunsets are beautiful and kingfish are sometimes pulled in.
Or head to the Old Mangere Bridge — it's always popular and there are kahawai to be caught and yarns to be shared.
