Rodney, “Auckland’s Playground”, is known for its two distinct coastlines, spectacular scenery and abundant recreational activities.
There are many attractive beaches, from the safe waters of the east coast to the awesome surf of the west and 1000kms of stunning coastline for water sports and recreation.

DAIRY FLAT

Great Barrier Airlines
Operating daily flights to Great Barrier Island, air taxi charters and sightseeing. Phone 0-800-900 600.

North Shore Aero Club
Training. Phone 426 4273.

North Shore Helicopters
Training school, scenic flights, joy rides, aerial photography, corporate and charter work, heli-fishing. Phone 426 8287.

KAIPARA HARBOUR

The largest enclosed harbour in the southern hemisphere.
Launching ramps at: Albertland Cruising Club jetty; Birds Beach Tapora, concrete beach access, high tide only; Hoteo, Kaipara Coast Highway, concrete ramp, small jetty, all tides, toilets, picnic table; Jordans Rd, half tide up, small jetty; Makarau, concrete, one hour either side of low water, wooden jetty; Port Albert, Wharf Rd high tide ramp, concrete, toilets, picnic area; Shelly Beach, concrete ramp to beach, public wharf, all tides, toilets, store; Springs Rd Parakai, concrete, half tide up, pontoon jetty; Stables Landing, Witheford Rd, concrete pad, all tides, toilets.

LEIGH

Fish HQ Fishing Charters
Totara Rd. Departs from Leigh Harbour. Phone 422 6457.

Goat Island Dive
142A Pakiri Rd. Charters, dive training, hire equipment. Phone 422 6925.

Near Leigh Woodworks
Pakiri Rd. Hand crafted indoor and outdoor furniture and carvings from kauri and macrocarpa. Phone 422 6559.

Pakiri Beach Horse Rides
Rahuikiri Rd, Pakiri Beach. Rides daily 10am, 2pm (12 noon, 4pm, 7pm summer). Phone 422 6275.

MAHURANGI

Mahurangi West Regional Park begins across the Puhoi River north of Wenderholm. Access is off SH 1 via Pukapuka Mahurangi West Rd.
The park is farmed but you are free to wander. Camp sites are available, permits required. Phone Parksline 0-9-366 2000.
Scott’s Landing is on the East Mahurangi Rd off SH 1 at Warkworth and includes the historic Scott Homestead.

MATAKANA

Matakana Markets
Matakana Country Park Market, cnr Leigh Rd and Omaha Flats Rd, every Saturday 9am - 1pm. Matakana Village Farmers’ Market, Matakana Valley Rd, every Saturday 8am - 1pm. Winter hours 9am - 1pm.

Morris & James Pottery
Tongue Farm Rd. Arts and crafts, café/bar. Creators of high quality hand made ceramics since 1977. Free pottery tours 11.30am week days (except public holidays). Phone 422 7116.

Tawharanui Regional Park & Walkway
588ha located on the rugged Takatu Peninsula to the east of Warkworth.
It is a park of abundant resources and full of treasures with its open farmed pastures, long white sandy beaches, extensive views of the Hauraki Gulf, Maori pa sites and marine reserve. Farm trails and a specially signposted ecology trail provide an invitation to walk the coastline and forest. Access is via SH 1, Leigh Rd and Matakana. The park opens at 6am but is closed to vehicles at night. Camping by permit only, phone Parksline 0-9-366 2000.

The Craft Co-op
Matakana Country Park, Leigh Rd. NZ’s largest co-op of craft people, specialising in unique NZ handcrafts. Open 7 days. Phone 422 7437.

Villa Tamahunga
Omaha Valley Rd. Landscaped garden with bush, sub tropical water gardens, olive grove. Open by appointment. Phone 422 9004.

OREWA

From the time Orewa was first developed there has been provision of services and shops for holidaymakers. No visit would be complete without a stop at the viewing platform at Orewa’s northern end. Here the panoramic view of the sea, beach and countryside persuades tourists to reach for their cameras. Orewa Beach sweeps for 3kms along a sandy coastline and is one of the best all round swimming beaches in the Auckland region. There are several reserves with playground equipment, barbecue facilities and boat ramps.

Agricultural & Pastoral Show
The Waitemata A & P Show is held annually in late January at the Western Reserve Orewa.

Estuary Arts Centre
214 Hibiscus Coast Highway. Gallery exhibitions, café, gift shop. New exhibitions first week of each month.

Farmers Market
Orewa Farmers Market, Sundays, 8am - 12 noon, Orewa Square.

Housie
Community Hall Orewa, enquiries to CAB 426 5338; HBC Raiders, Stanmore Bay, phone 424 7242; Bowls Orewa Incorp, phone 426 5937; Silverdale Bowling Club, phone 426 4000.

Orewa Community Hall Gift & Craft Market
Alternative Saturdays 9am - 1pm. Cnr Hibiscus Coast Highway and Florence Ave.
Visitor Information Centre i-SITE Orewa. Open 7 days, 214A Hibiscus Coast Highway Orewa, phone 426 0076.

PUHOI

A visit north of Wenderholm to Puhoi would make your Hibiscus Coast holiday complete.
Puhoi was originally settled by families from Bohemia and is the only designated historic village in the Rodney district. The Puhoi Pub, as it is known by locals, is history itself, see it to believe it. Visit the beautiful church of St Peter and St Paul and see the lovely stained glass windows.

Puhoi River Canoe Hire
River adventures, single and double kayaks. Bookings essential, phone 422 0891.

Puhoi Historic Village & Museum
The Puhoi Bohemian Museum and Records Room are open weekends, school holidays and daily Christmas to Easter, 1 - 4pm.

The Art of Cheese
275 Ahuroa Rd. Watch the cheesemakers in action, sample the products. Enjoy a meal, a snack or a glass of wine in the café. Children’s playground. Open 7 days 9am - 5pm. Phone 422 0670.

SANDSPIT

Reubens Cruises
Sandspit Wharf. Royal Mail Run Cruise (11⁄2 hrs), includes morning tea and barbecue lunch; Shipwreck Cruise; Around Kawau Blast on the Kawau Jet. Phone 425 8006.

SHAKESPEAR

Regional Park
376ha of coastal farm park at the tip of Whangaparaoa Peninsula offers sheltered bays and fine walks across open pastures, through bush remnants and along cliff tops.
Shakespear supports one of the largest populations of pukeko anywhere in NZ. Common native birds include the morepork, wood pigeon, tui, fantail, red crowned parakeet and waxeye. Seabirds include the gulls, oystercatcher and shag.
Keep a lookout for game birds such as the pheasant, quail and mallard duck.
The park has a flock of Coopworth breeding ewes and a herd of Hereford breeding cows. Great mountain bike trails, safe swimming, picnicking and magnificent views of the Hauraki Gulf. Access from SH 1 to the end of Whangaparaoa Peninsula Rd.
The park opens at 6am but is closed to vehicles at night.

SILVERDALE

The Gateway to the Hibiscus Coast, named because of the sil-very poplar trees. This unique village is known for its factory and bargain shopping with over 80 outlets for you to sample. Enjoy a day shopping or just wandering around in the relaxed atmosphere of one of NZ’s finest shopping towns. Stop by any of the variety of eating establishments. In addition to the bargain shopping area Silverdale also boasts over 100 businesses in the industrial complex where almost everything and anything can be found, whether it is a boat trailer, sterling silver jewellery, products for the home, clothing or a cappuccino. In addition Silverdale has begun a return to its heritage with murals around the community depicting its early settler beginnings. For information on bus time¬tables for the North Shore phone Rideline 0-800-103 080.

Action Raceway & Bumper Boats
87 Small Rd Silverdale. Open 7 days. Kart racing and bumber boats. Phone 426 1070.

Auckland Luge
2102 East Coast Rd, Silverdale. Open 7 days. Phone 421 0165.

Silverdale Historic Village
Recreated from pioneer history, open (winter) Saturday and Sunday 10am - 3pm, (summer) daily (except Tuesday) 10am - 3pm.

Silverdale Market
Silverdale Hall and Street every Saturday 8am - 1pm. Phone 426 4479.

Snowplanet
91 Small Rd Silverdale. Indoor ski slope, gear hire, cafe and bar. Open 7 days. Phone 427 0044 or 0-800-snowplanet.

The Grow & Brew Shop
All your hydroponic and organic growing needs.

TIRITIRI MATANGI

Tiritiri Matangi Island lies just 4kms from the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and is a world renowned open sanctuary. Visitors can wander along the bush tracks observing some of NZ’s rarest bird life, such as the North Island saddleback, bellbird, little spotted kiwi, red crowned parakeet and the flightless takahe. The walks vary in duration from 10 minutes to 4 hours. The shortest being from the wharf along the coast to Hobbs Beach. This route passes the penguin viewing boxes, where the little blue penguins shelter at night and during spring. A regular ferry service runs to the island from Gulf Harbour Marina. There is an information office located near the lighthouse where posters, t-shirts and other conservation related souvenirs may be purchased. For ferry bookings phone 0-800-888 006.

Hobbs Beach
A good sandy swimming and picnic spot. Alternatively, walk the island’s bush boardwalks and picnic under the canopy of native bush.

Tiritiri Lighthouse
20.5m high, once the most powerful lighthouse in the southern hemisphere (11 million candle power) but today having been converted to solar power is only a fraction of its original strength.

WAIWERA

Just five minutes north of Orewa you will find Waiwera nestled on the coast with tranquil native bush as its backdrop. Today it is the largest thermal resort in the country.

Ti Tree Hills Horse Treks
Weranui Rd. Horses to suit all, enjoy the ride and the views. Phone 426 7003.

Waiwera Thermal Pools
Soak in a luxury hot lagoon pool, lay back at night and watch a full feature movie, keep fit by swimming the larger pool or taking part in an aquacise programme. The luxury spas offer privacy. Children always enjoy the thrills of the super choobs. Two cafés. Open daily 9am - 10pm. Phone 427 8800.

WARKWORTH

Annies Antiques & Curios
181 SH 1. Collectables and curiosities. Phone 425 0995.

Cement Works
Wilson Rd. The first Portland cement works in NZ, now in ruins. Swimming, mini golf. Phone 425 8831.

Dome Forest Walkway
SH 1 North. 1.2kms return walk to summit (steep and rocky); 40 mins return walk to lookout platform; 60-90 mins walk to small kauri grove beyond summit.

Frog Pool Farm
SH 1, Dome Valley, 5 mins north of Warkworth. Arts and crafts, café. Phone 425 9030.

Glass Bottom Boat
Glass Bottom Boat “Habitat Explorer”, trips any time depending on weather, from Goat Island, phone Ivan or Christina 422 6334.

Goat Island Marine Reserve
Administered by the Department of Conservation. Also at Leigh you will find Sea¬friends Marine Meeting and Education Centre. Facilities include a restaurant, seawater aquariums, dive gear hire. Call in for information on the reserve, phone Floor and Maria Anthoni 422 6212.

Honey Centre & Honey Café
Perry Rd. Largest display in NZ, huge variety of honey products. Open 7 days 8.30am - 5pm. Phone 425 8003.

Horse Riding
Shiloh, 42 Kaipara Flats Rd. Riding for all ages, bookings essential. Phone 425 8517.

Moir Hill Walkway
Moir Rd and SH 1. Pohuehoe Scenic Reserve, walk to waterfall and Moir Hill trig. Also track past trig to hangliding area.

Mrs Jones
Elizabeth St. Antiques, retro, Kiwiana. Phone 422 3275.

Omaha Beach Golf Club
North West Anchorage, Omaha. 18 hole championship course. Phone 422 7551.

Scandretts Regional Park
Martins Bay Rd Mahurangi East. Camping by permit only, phone Parksline 0-9-366 2000.

Skywork Helicopters
Baddeleys Beach Rd, Takatu. Helicopter charters, heli-fishing. Phone 422 7018.

The Range (Golf/Cricket)
Golf driving range, two cricket lanes with auto bowlers. Open 9.30am - 8pm. Phone 425 8393.

The Wooden Wheel
SH 1 (south of Warkworth). Quality, affordable wooden toys and giftware at workshop prices. Open 9am - 5pm. Phone 425 8101.

Warkworth & District Museum
At the end of Tudor Collins Dr, artifacts from our colonial past. Phone 425 7093.

Warkworth Boat & Fishing Centre
Whitaker Rd. Fishing, diving, sightseeing. Phone 425 8490.

Warkworth Golf Club
Golf Rd. 18 holes, carts available, full facilities. Phone 425 8248.

Wild West Kayaking
Boler Rd Tauhoa. Kayaking adventures. Phone 422 5582.

Wilson House Tapestry Gallery
Wilson Rd. History, art, decor – 200 woven European tapestries on display. Open 10am - 4pm daily. Phone 425 9373.

Zealandia Sculpture Garden
Mahurangi West Rd. A dramatic sculpture display in a pastoral setting. Open 7 days Labour Day to Easter, guided tours at 11am and 2pm. Phone 422 0099.

WELLSFORD

235 Artists Studio/Garden Tour
235 Run Rd Wharehine, on the shores of the Kaipara Harbour. Gallery and garden tour. Open weekends 10am - 4pm or by appointment. Phone 423 8723.

Albertland & District Museum
Memorial Park, Port Albert Rd. Open most days 1 - 3pm. Phone 423 8181.

Enviro NZ Sculptures
Ryan Rd. High quality bronze sculptures, specialising in indigenous creatures. Phone 431 4800.

Wellsford Golf & Squash Club
SH 1. 18 hole golf course, carts and clubs for hire. Two squash courts. Open 7 days, full facilities. Phone 423 8385.

WENDERHOLM

Just north of Waiwera, cradled by the Puhoi and Waiwera Rivers and famous for its early summer flowering pohutukawas and flame trees. Forty minutes drive from central Auckland, turn off Hibiscus Coast Highway just north of Waiwera. Wenderholm Regional Reserve is an attractively laid out park of 134ha with many opportunities for leisure activities. Marked walks, barbecue facilities, safe swimming and kiosk/refreshments over summer are all available. There is a good boat ramp on the estuary. The park opens at 6am but is closed to vehicles at night. Closing time displayed at the park entrance. Park rangers are on duty full time, phone the Parksline on 303 1530.

Couldrey House
Built by Robert Graham, a friend of Sir George Grey and named after the last owners. Open every Saturday and Sunday afternoon and most public holidays, also every afternoon from 26 Dec to 7 Feb.

WHANGAPARAOA

With its safe beaches and easy access to all types of water leisure activities the peninsula is a mecca for holidaymakers. Stanmore Bay is a safe harbour in all weathers and the jetty on the Weiti River opposite Stillwater is a popular fishing spot for children, accessible down Wade Rd from Whangaparaoa. Matakatia offers a safe shallow beach ideal for gathering cockles and is a popular haven for boaties. At Shakespear Regional Park you will find ideal spots for picnics, barbecues, swimming, farm and bush walks. There are three safe beaches, at Army Bay, Te Haruhi and Okoromai. Book camp sites on 0-9-366 2000. Also book Wender-holm sites through this number. Further west, Tindall’s Bay is popular for swimming and boating and at low tide you can walk around to Coalmine Bay. At Arkles Bay on the south side of the peninsula yachting, swimming and fishing are all popular. Golf clubs include the Peninsula Club, just north of Whangaparaoa turnoff on Hibiscus Coast Highway, the Whangaparaoa Club just up from Fisherman’s Rock as you head towards the end of the peninsula, the North Ridge Club is at Wainui and the Gulf Harbour international course.

Narrow Gauge Steam Railway
400 Whangaparaoa Rd, train rides, café. Phone 424 5018.

Ten Pin Bowling Centre
Opposite Berkeley Theatres, phone 428 2469.

Hibiscus Coast Leisure Centre
Stanmore Bay, caters for all age groups with a varied programme of sports and leisure activities, phone 424 1914. Feel good, stay healthy, have fun!