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Nature and the outdoors around Auckland

Auckland nature: west-coast beaches, volcanic cones, Waitakēre hikes, whale and dolphin safaris and island walks.

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Auckland's best beaches, ranked honestly — Auckland's beaches compared honestly: black-sand west coast surf beaches, calm e

Auckland's best beaches, ranked honestly

Auckland's beaches compared honestly: black-sand west coast surf beaches, calm east coast swimming spots, and which ones are actually worth the drive.

The best hikes in and around Auckland — Auckland's best walks and hikes, from 20-minute volcanic cone summits to full-da

The best hikes in and around Auckland

Auckland's best walks and hikes, from 20-minute volcanic cone summits to full-day Waitākere Ranges trails, ranked by difficulty and view quality.

The best beaches near Auckland, from city to day trip — Auckland's best beaches ranked by distance: city beaches reachable by bus, west

The best beaches near Auckland, from city to day trip

Auckland's best beaches ranked by distance: city beaches reachable by bus, west coast surf beaches 45 minutes out, and Coromandel and Waiheke day-trip

Auckland's best botanic gardens and parks — Auckland's free gardens and parks compared: the Auckland Domain's Winter Gardens

Auckland's best botanic gardens and parks

Auckland's free gardens and parks compared: the Auckland Domain's Winter Gardens, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Cornwall Park, Parnell Rose Gardens and Eden

Coromandel's best beaches, from Cathedral Cove to New Chums — The Coromandel Peninsula's best beaches ranked: Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach,

Coromandel's best beaches, from Cathedral Cove to New Chums

The Coromandel Peninsula's best beaches ranked: Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, New Chums, Hahei and Kuaotunu, with access notes and when to avoid the

Kayaking in Auckland: Rangitoto, the harbour and beyond — How to kayak in Auckland, from guided Rangitoto Island paddles to sunset harbour

Kayaking in Auckland: Rangitoto, the harbour and beyond

How to kayak in Auckland, from guided Rangitoto Island paddles to sunset harbour tours, with what to expect, fitness needed and what to bring.

Hiking Rangitoto Island: the complete guide — How to hike Rangitoto Island from Auckland: ferry times, the summit track, lava

Hiking Rangitoto Island: the complete guide

How to hike Rangitoto Island from Auckland: ferry times, the summit track, lava caves, what to bring, and whether the kayak-and-hike option is worth it.

Auckland's volcanic cones: a guide to the maunga — Auckland sits on around 50 volcanoes. A guide to the best cones to climb — Mount

Auckland's volcanic cones: a guide to the maunga

Auckland sits on around 50 volcanoes. A guide to the best cones to climb — Mount Eden, One Tree Hill, North Head, Mount Victoria — views, history and

Waitākere Ranges hiking guide — A trail-by-trail guide to hiking the Waitākere Ranges: Kitekite Falls, Fairy Fal

Waitākere Ranges hiking guide

A trail-by-trail guide to hiking the Waitākere Ranges: Kitekite Falls, Fairy Falls, Whatipu, kauri dieback closures and trailhead directions.

Whale and dolphin watching in Auckland: the complete guide — Auckland's Hauraki Gulf has resident Bryde's whales and dolphins year-round, plu

Whale and dolphin watching in Auckland: the complete guide

Auckland's Hauraki Gulf has resident Bryde's whales and dolphins year-round, plus seasonal humpback migration. What you'll see, when, and which tour to