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FREE OFFICIAL GUIDE 2013

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Itineraries<br />

See the beautiful Maori carvings guarding Omaha Beach<br />

North Auckland<br />

Map on page 150<br />

I have: No time Explore the countryside on horseback as you trek over<br />

the picturesque farmland and through lush forest. Or grab your snorkel and<br />

flippers or hire local scuba gear and head to Goat Island Marine Reserve. If you<br />

prefer to keep your feet dry, enjoy a cruise on a glass bottom boat and marvel at<br />

the teeming shoals of fish and other sea life.<br />

I have: A Bit of time Spend a leisurely two hours kayaking up the<br />

Puhoi River. Listen out for the herons, pukekos and kingfishers as you meander<br />

down the wide estuary to the Wenderholm Regional Park before returning to<br />

Puhoi by courtesy shuttle. The Puhoi Pub, with its collection of artefacts and<br />

colourful characters, is a great spot to refuel before a visit to the Bohemian<br />

Museum. Cheese lovers shouldn’t miss a visit to the Puhoi Valley Café and<br />

Cheese Store, where you can view the cheese-making process first-hand and<br />

sample some of the range.<br />

I have: PleNty of time Grab a picnic lunch from the superb<br />

Matakana Village Farmers’ Market (on Saturdays) and head to Tawharanui<br />

Regional Park, where you can explore one of Auckland’s best kept secrets – an<br />

open sanctuary where kiwis breed and native plants flourish. Pick up a Matakana<br />

Wine Trail map or take a tour and enjoy boutique wines. At Brick Bay Wines,<br />

experience the outdoor Sculpture Trail that winds through native landscape.<br />

17

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