Along the western edge of Auckland, from the Manukau Harbour north to the Kaipara Harbour, ancient volcanic ranges covered in rainforest rise steeply from the Tasman Sea. Their time-weathered cliffs are interrupted by river valleys ending in long, black sand beaches. The thundering ocean swells break well off the beach and reform several times to finally slide up the sand. Whatipu, Karekare, Piha, Bethells and Muriwai beaches have a remote, untamed beauty that's good for the soul.

Whatipu is at the northern head of the entrance to the Manukau Harbour. Powerful currents cross the sand bars to meet the long ocean swells. Many early ships were lost here when they strayed from the deeper channel. A native forest walk through the ranges returns along this beach with its hill-sized sand dunes, sun-dried driftwood and a cave once used as a ballroom.

At Karekare, three streams from a forest valley converge and descend to the beach. There are several forest walks in the area. An easy track leads to the Karekare Falls, which tumble six metres into a beautiful opal pool. The broad, firm beach is ideal for walking or running along the water's edge.

Piha is popular with experienced surfers. Lion Rock, a small island, stands in the middle of the beach offering panoramic views to those who climb the 70 metre track to the top.

Bethells (Te Henga) is smaller, and cosier feeling, than the other beaches. The sand begins well back from the surf and there is a shallow lagoon before the river reaches the sea. A walking track crosses the northern headland to secluded O'Neill Bay, a favourite with surfers.

Muriwai is a regional park with cliff top trails to a gannet colony near the car park at its southern end. The beach runs 60 kilometres north to the Kaipara Harbour, interrupted only by streams and rivers. This is a great place to stretch your legs and overdose on fresh ocean air.

Visitors to the west coast beaches need to be aware that the powerful surf creates changing undertows and rips, but you can swim safely where there are surf patrol flags. There are camp sites at most of the beaches.

The Coast to Coast Walkway is a great way to get a little exercise and discover more about the history and unique features of Auckland. Plus you'll be able to tell your friends that you walked from one side of New Zealand to the other!

Most of Auckland is situated on an isthmus of land about nine kilometres long and as little as two kilometres wide. From the arrival of the first people, this has been a coveted area. The fertile volcanic slopes, sheltered fishing grounds and strategic position that allows transit from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea, or access to the long Waikato River, earned Auckland the name Tamaki Makaurau - 'the spouse desired by a hundred lovers'.

The walkway begins in the city centre on the shores of the Waitemata Harbour. The first section guides you along the bustling downtown waterfront and shipping wharves, before turning inland to Albert Park and the university. From here you cross a gully to reach the native forest, gardens and playing fields of the 200-acre Auckland Domain. The next stop is the summit of Maunga-whau (Mount Eden), where you'll enjoy views into the crater and out across the city, harbour and Hauraki Gulf. Then it's on through historic suburbs to the volcanic cone of Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill) and Cornwall Park. Maungakiekie is the largest of the Auckland's volcanic cones. It has three craters - two are breached and one is intact. Part of the park is farmed, so you may encounter some sheep. From here the walkway follows ancient lava flows south through the suburb of Onehunga to finish at the edge of Manukau Harbour.

Informative brochures identifying the numerous highlights of the walkway are available from visitor information centres. There are regular public bus services back to the city.

With more than 10,000 beautiful and fascinating plants, Auckland Botanic Gardens is a gardener's nirvana. Enter through the award-winning visitor centre and unwind over a coffee while you plan your route through the plantings.

Begin with the refreshingly different edible garden. Here fruit, vegetables, nuts and edible flowers are featured to encourage people who want to grow more of their own food. There is also an informative display that compares different methods of composting.

A more predicable theme, New Zealand natives, offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to find out more about the unique features of New Zealand's natural vegetation. A special feature of this garden is the collection of threatened native species.

Deeper into the gardens, past the lower lake, things become a little more exotic. Palms from around the world grow alongside many mature native trees in a delightful setting with two meandering streams.

Colour becomes the focus throughout the extensive rose, camellia and magnolia gardens. From here the spring blossom valley leads to the African garden, a collection of plants from the southern end of Africa - an area regarded as one of the world's richest floral kingdoms.

Passing the upper lake and the intriguing rock garden, the edible theme emerges once more at the aromatic and informative herb garden. Signage also explores the contribution that herbs make to medicines, dyes, insect repellents, cosmetics and perfumes.

From here the visitor centre is once more nearby and a visit to the library can help answer any of the more challenging questions you may have.

The Auckland Botanic Garden is conveniently located close to the southern motorway - about 30 minutes drive from the city centre.

Dolphin Planet offers dolphin watching tours in the beautiful Hauraki Gulf Marine Park! Join us aboard M/V Dreamweaver, a luxury 18-metre high speed catamaran, as we search for marine wildlife. Common dolphins, Bryde's whales, bottlenose dolphins, orca, and many seabirds may be spotted. An on-board nature guide will discuss the wildlife, islands, and research efforts. Curious common dolphins enjoy bowriding and people watching, and can be seen hunting prey and tending to their young.

We operate under a special permit granted by the NZ Dept. of Conservation in adherence with the marine mammal viewing code. Tours depart daily at 10am and return by 4pm. Tours are weather dependent. Lunch, tea/coffee are provided. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Meet whales and dolphins in their own environment on an educational tour of marine mammal watching hotspots in New Zealand. On our private viewing vessels and with your own expert guide, we have a chance of encountering ten species of cetaceans; humpback, Bryde’s, Southern right, Minke, pilot and sperm whales, and bottlenose, common and Hector’s dolphin, orca, and two species of pinnipeds (the New Zealand fur seal and sealion). With an emphasis on education and supporting research we will take you to meet marine mammals in their own world. You will be accompanied by Dr. Ingrid N Visser, a world expert on orca, and guest lecturers around the country. In a few locations we also use local operators for our whale and dolphin viewing.

The Motu Manawa Marine Reserve protects around 500 hectares of the inner reaches of Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. It includes the mudflats, tidal channels, mangrove swamp, saltmarsh and shellbanks surrounding Pollen and Traherne Islands. Auckland's northwestern motorway passes through the reserve (shortly after the Waterview exit if you are driving northwest). The best way to access this reserve is by sea kayak. Stopping on the side of the motorway is illegal.

The reserve’s mudflats are an important feeding ground for wading birds. Some (godwits, knots and sandpipers) are international migrants that breed in the north Asian wetlands during the northern spring and summer. To avoid the winter they fly south to enjoy New Zealand’s spring and summer. Most return to the northern hemisphere in March but a few birds, too young to breed, stay over.

Two mudflat feeders, the South Island pied oystercatcher and the wrybill, are internal or national migrants. They breed on the shingle beds of the South Island's braided rivers in spring but fly to northern harbours and estuaries for the late summer, autumn and early winter, making the return journey south in July or August.

The extensive mangrove and saltmarsh areas are rich feeding grounds for white faced herons, pukeko, spotless crake and the endangered banded rail. These wetlands are equally important for non-waders, including kingfishers and fernbirds.

The outer flats are regularly visited by red billed gulls, black backed gulls and their mottled brown juveniles. White fronted terns are usually seen in small flocks; caspian terns are less common • they have a full black cap and a large bright red bill.