Escape Auckland Now

Waterfalls around Auckland Winter can be a great time to view New Zealand’s waterfalls due to the increased volumes of water during this period. Here are a few near Auckland that should wet your appetite…

Kitekite Falls This three-tiered waterfall is located near Piha Beach in the rugged Waitakere Ranges only an hour’s drive west of Auckland. The falls drop a total of 40m (131ft) in three picture perfect leaps. Winter is a great time to view the falls due to the increased water flow and perfect photo opportunities. The difficulty in getting to Kitekite falls is the maze of city streets to find Piha Road. Make sure you get a good map and get an idea of where you’re going before you start driving.

How to get there: Head along the north-western motorway. Get off at Lincoln Rd. At the end of Lincoln Rd turn into Great North Rd. At the first set of lights turn right into Henderson Valley Rd. At roundabout take Forest Hill Rd and drive to the end. Turn right into West Coast Rd. At the end of West Coast Rd turn right into Scenic Drive. Take Piha Rd at junction 200M on. Once you’ve made your way to the Piha township , Piha Road will become Seaview Road. Turn right onto Glenesk Road and follow that to the dead-end carpark. From here you’ll find a sign pointing to the Kitekite track. It’s a 30min walk each way to the falls (1 hour total).

Karekare Falls Approximately a 15min drive from the Kitekite falls carpark you’ll be able to find the stunning Karekare Falls. Karekare is one of Auckland’s most spectacular beaches and wilderness areas. Part of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Karekare was made famous as the setting for the Oscar winning move ‘The Piano’.

How to get there: Head along the north-western motorway. Get off at Lincoln Rd. At the end of Lincoln Rd turn into Great North Rd. At the first set of lights turn right into Henderson Valley Rd. At roundabout take Forest Hill Rd and drive to the end. Turn right into West Coast Rd. At the end of West Coast Rd turn right into Scenic Drive. Take Piha Rd at junction 200M on. Karekare and Anawhata are signposted off Piha Rd.

Hunua Falls An hour southeast of Auckland you’ll find the beautiful Hunua Falls. Plunging 30m (100ft) into a pool of lily pads and reeds. Hunua Falls is located in the Hunua Ranges which cover about 400 square kilometres along the south eastern side of the Auckland region. These falls are great in winter and more specifically after rainfall as the falls widen from tall columnar drop into an impressive wall of water. The falls are also famous due to appearances on Xena: Warrior Princess.

How to get there: Travel south on State Highway 1 and take the Papakura exit. Follow Beach Rd across Great South Rd and along Settlement Rd. Turn right by Edmund Hillary School into Hunua Rd. Follow Hunua Rd through the Hunua Gorge to the Hunua village. Just before entering the village, turn left into White Rd, right into Falls Rd and follow this road to Hunua Falls.

Sea Kayaking

By Chris Gulley - who has been kayaking for over 20 years, and is the owner of Auckland based kayaking company, Outdoor Discoveries.

Kayakers in Auckland are spoiled. In their backyard is, probably, the most diverse and accessible sea kayaking playground one could hope for. It is only the fickle weather, degree of skill and experience, and imagination that limit those venturing out into the Hauraki Gulf.

Rangitoto Island is the most dominant feature for JAFA's looking out into the Gulf and is probably a good starting point. The distance to Rangitoto from Tamaki Drive and Takapuna is around five kilometres - enough for a good workout and more than enough in deteriorating weather. The hour walk to the summit rewards you with great views and a great place for lunch. It also provides you with an opportunity to look out and plan other Hauraki Gulf kayaking trips. Looking north you see a low-lying island in the distance. This is Kawau, accessible from the Mahurangi area or from Tawharanui. With its deep harbours on the western shores and open coastline to the east, it has a lot of potential for exploration. The lack of camping facilities means that a one-day circumnavigation is, probably, the most feasible option. Hopefully you'll leave enough time to discover some of the historical aspects of this intriguing place.

From your view from Rangitoto you can see some jagged peaks rising from behind Kawau. This is Hauturu - Little Barrier Island. This island is a closely protected bird sanctuary requiring a permit to go ashore. Paddling from the mainland, around, and back is perhaps not the most attractive sea-kayaking trip for most but it is "doable" and the close-up view of Little Barrier is impressive.

Beyond Hauturu and out of sight from your Rangitoto viewpoint is Goat Island. This small knoll is part of a marine reserve extending south to Cape Rodney. Wonderful coastline, excellent snorkelling and diving, surf at Pakiri Beach and lovely sandy beaches make this an excellent trip on a nice day.

Still further away and waiting experienced exploration are the northern islands of the Hauraki Gulf - the Hen and Chickens, Poor Knights and, for those venturing around Bream Head, the Bream Islands. Between you and Kawau is the Mahurangi area. This area is a sea kayaking gem. With plentiful camping and loads of options, this area is worth many visits. The island of Moturekareka is the 'jewel in the crown' in this area - complete with caves, cliffs, clear water and a shipwreck.

Tiritiri Matangi stands out off the end of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. A magic day trip, and a challenging paddle when the weather comes.

Looking north east from "Rangi" you see Great Barrier Island (not to be confused with the Moehau Range at the northern end of the Coromandel Peninsula) on the horizon. Most kayakers catch a ferry across and then attempt a circumnavigation of this awesome place. Some make it a longer expedition by departing from Auckland by kayak. The circumnavigation (once you're there) takes about a week at an easy pace. The eastern shore is exposed to swells, so some good planning is necessary.

Just in front of you is Motutapu with Rakino and The Noises further on. With camping available on Motutapu, an extended trip into this area is well worth planning. There's plenty to explore and plenty to challenge. David Rocks and Maria Island out to the right are also worth the extra distance.

To the east is Waiheke and the islands of Ponui and Pakihi. Best accessed from Maraetai, these islands offer little in the way of camping, but are worth checking out. The Subritzky Ferry from Halfmoon Bay to Kennedy Point on Waiheke allows sea kayaks on board and makes for good one-way trips.

A little bit further south lie Motuihe and Motukorea (Browns Island). Motukorea is a superb little island with a perfect volcanic summit. Away from the busy shipping channels it makes for a great destination for day trippers. By far the greatest potential hazard for sea kayakers is the wind. The wind whips-up the sea and, depending on your direction and skill level, makes it either exciting, faster, challenging, nasty or downright dangerous.

Auckland usually has prevailing south westerly winds however, the effects of La Nina will make this summer's weather fickle at best. With lots of north easterlies predicted, those with surfing skills will be well served, but for those just starting out they will have to be even more prudent with their weather checking.

Another weather factor which affects sea kayakers in Auckland are sea breezes. These can reach speeds over 20 knots and can make life on the water difficult. Sea breezes in Auckland spring up around 2.00 to 3.00pm when the air over land has been heated and cooler air over the sea rushes in to replace this warm rising air. It does, usually, drop away after sunset during settled weather.

Another hazard worth mentioning when talking about the Hauraki Gulf is "wind against tide" - when the tide is running one way and the wind the other. Most channels around the Hauraki Gulf are well served by this effect. Planning your sojourns to avoid these conditions is well recommended.

It seems that a lot of Auckland based sea kayakers venture south of the Bombay Hills for their summer expedition. With so many options for all levels of skills, with such diverse topography and scenery, and with so many beachside cafes where the cappuccino flows like water, the Hauraki Gulf will spoil rotten those who stay, and those who choose to come.

Are you ready to get LOST?

Well now you have your chance, as a DOC volunteer on the lvargest island in the Kermadec Group – Raoul Island. In case you’ve never heard of them, or have no idea where they are, the Kermadec Islands are located 1100km NNE of New Zealand. They are made up of four main islands Raoul, Macauley, Curtis and L’Esperance Rock. The climate of the islands is subtropical but don’t be fooled into thinking volunteering will involve sipping mojitos and lazing around in hammocks (all day anyway).

How does it work?

Each year DOC sends a team of 5 staff to live for 12 months on the otherwise uninhabited island and carry out conservation work. DOC also sends up to 3 - 9 volunteers to join them over the summer or winter period for 4 - 6 months.or private boats. Medical assistance iws available only as advice over the radio telephone, and the fastest emergency air rescue is at least 24 hours away. There is also the added difficulty of living and working among such a small group, although visiting boats may provide some extra company for a day or two.

So, what’s living on Raoul Island like?

It takes a very special person to cope with living on an island as isolated as Raoul. He or she must be able to carry out a wide range of practical tasks – from weed pulling to track maintenance, fixing buildings to baking bread. You will need to be tough and self reliant but there are huge pay-offs for those up for the challenge. It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity to live a true ‘Robinson Crusoe’ lifestyle.

The Raoul volunteer program provides the opportunity to experience a remote offshore island and explore an unusual subtropical eco-system which few people would otherwise be able to visit. The volunteer programme makes a big contribution to the work of removing alien plants to restore the unique native plant communities to a self-sustaining state.

There are many challenges to living and working on Raoul. The terrain is very steep and rugged. The duties are often exhausting and repetitive. Once there, you are there for the full term of the volunteer stint. Volunteer periods available are: November 2008 – March 2009; March 2009 – August 2009. Mail is occasionally dropped by passing RNZ Air Force planes or private boats (there is email and Skype on the island). Medical assistance is available only as advice over the radio telephone, and the fastest emergency air rescue is at least 24 hours away. There is also the added difficulty of living and working among such a small group, although visiting boats may provide some extra company for a day or two.

Raoul volunteers much be adaptable, cautiously adventurous, content to amuse themselves and also happy to work in a small team, easy to live with, and have an interest in the natural environment and conservation. Applicants will need to be physically fit, experienced at moving on steep ground and moving through bush without a track. Climbing skills and practical experience in maintaining buildings and facilities are an advantage.

Volunteers Tasks

Weed Control – Systematic searching of the bush, to map, record and remove 14 species of weeds. You will get to know the bush intimately. Weeding occupies four days a week.

Maintenance of buildings and facilities occupies one day a week. The household runs like a flatting situation – cooking and cleaning are shared by everyone.

Of course the trip is not all work, people will have an opportunity to get out and explore the island. There is a lot to see and do for those who enjoy exploring the land and snorkelling in the marine reserve.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in contact: Karen Baird (09) 425 7243 kbaird@doc.govt.nz Indoor Climbing

Extreme Edge Whether you are already a keen indoor climber or have never tried before Extreme Edge caters to all ability levels. Extreme Edge is Australasia’s largest indoor climbing gym. Based in an old aircraft hangar this place really is huge. With 60 top-ropes there is a huge range of climbing walls, with massive overhanging walls reserved for lead climbing. In total there are over 200 routes to climb from absolute beginner to as hard as you will find anywhere on the planet. You won’t need any special gear, just turn up in sensible clothes that allow a decent range of movement (this does not mean jeans or skirts). Harnesses and climbing shoes are available for hire for ($5 ea for harness and shoes.

Extreme Edge is a great place to take the kids as it has recently opened a new area - ‘Climbzone’. This area features automatic belaying devices so you can just clip-in and climb, no belayer required.

Cost (Prices are for a full day so you can climb as long as you can…): Casual entry: Adult (16 yrs or older) + harness hire - $20 Child (15yrs or younger) + harness hire - $15

Try your hand at mountain biking Mountain biking is the fastest growing recreational and sporting activity in New Zealand. Every weekend thousands of New Zealanders of all ages and abilities can be seen out on their mountain bikes. Competitive events such as the Moonride, the 24 hour Race and Karapoti Classic attract thousands of entrants annually.

BikeNZ statistics: -10% of all New Zealander adult males mountain bike on a regular basis -15% of males aged between 18-35 mountain bike -Mountain biking is the tenth most popular activity amongst adult men -There are 80,000 active mountain bikers in New Zealand -There are an estimated 1,000,000 mountain bike owners in New Zealand -The sport is both recreational and competitive -Mountain biking conjures up words such as Adrenalin pumping, Outdoors, Family, Adventure, Life style, Healthy, Fitness

The Auckland Mountain Bike Club is a non-profit, incorporated society with a family orientated focus. The club is actively involved in youth development, land access, high-performance athletes and social activities.