Ponsonby News readers have the beautiful Hauraki Gulf virtually on their doorstep.
It offers more activities and sights than you probably ever realised and it’s known to be one of the world’s best boating grounds. With large visitor numbers predicted to arrive before the 2021 America’s Cup kicks off, now is a great time for locals to get out and make the most of this incredible natural treasure.
Whether you start by exploring the extensive urban coastline by kayak or sail out into the harbour, the journey is all part of the fun. The key is to make sure that as locals we don’t take this incredible resource for granted. We shouldn’t just see it is a pretty backdrop for the city, but as a place for us to explore, nurture, protect and enjoy.
As we move closer to summer, the warm micro climate offered by the Islands in the gulf can be a smart way to start summer living a little early. Kawau is one of the largest and is described by locals who live there as the jewel of the Hauraki Gulf. Its sheltered bays, deep harbours and clean waters are perfect for swimming, boating, fishing and diving. There are great walks, historic sites to enjoy, plus there are a number of fun ways to get there.
Kawau Island
Leaving from Westhaven Marina, you can catch a Hauraki Express water taxi direct to the island. Hauraki Express will have you to Kawau in just over an hour, a journey that takes you past Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands and across waters that are home to dolphins and orcas. Kawau Island is a frequent feeding ground for orcas and these large whales are often seen chasing stingray up Bon Accord Harbour to feed on. From Sandspit Wharf, Kawau Cruises’ Royal Mail Run ferry leaves daily at 10.30am and can have you to the Island in around 20 minutes.
There is always something happening on Kawau over summer with events regularly held at Mansion House and the Kawau Boat Club in Bon Accord Harbour. The Boat Club re-opens the Bon Accord Bar and Bistro for the season at Labour Weekend. Mansion House Cafe, open all year round, offers all-day breakfasts, home-cooked lunches, Devonshire teas and dinners. There are a range of places to stay on Kawau, from private beach houses and baches to lodges and boutique hotels. Many places have their own jetty, so if you have a boat it can be a short scenic trip to get there from Westhaven Marina or Sandspit Wharf.
Get a boat
Being you own skipper can be a thrill, but boat ownership is expensive, time consuming and sometimes daunting, an innovative alternative is a boat sharing system. According to Simon Barker of Ownaship, boat sharing is Auckland’s fastest-growing marine industry. His company offers individuals, families, small businesses and larger organisations the option to have a share without the hassle and expense of owning or maintaining a boat. “Boat sharing is a great option for anyone who is time poor, or can’t justify the expense or commitment required by sole ownership. Professional families with children certainly fit into this category,” explains Simon.
It’s also a great stepping stone if you ever considered owning a boat yourself. The team at Ownaship provides full and comprehensive training to all clients to ensure everyone can confidently skipper their own boat. “People come to us with a variety of experience, from the complete novice right through to those with decades of experience on their own boats. For anyone new to boating, our share system works really well because we provide a lot of training and support, as well as taking care of all the boat maintenance, servicing, insurance, marina berths, cleaning, laundry, etc. It’s a walk on, walk off service that really appeals to anyone who has had their own boat but is tired of how expensive and time consuming sole ownership can be,” explains Simon. For those who would rather entertain, Ownaship also offers a full skipper service. Starting with a 10% share in a Rayglass 2500 right up through to something like a 1/4 share in a Maritimo M59, there is something for everyone.
Of course, the investment even in a shared boat is still quite a commitment, and for those who only want an occasional journey out on our sparkling waters, Fullers360 offer ferry services to destinations to suit just about everyone’s tastes.
Tiritiri Matangi and Rotoroa Island
For unspoilt walking tracks and an abundance of bird life, it is hard to beat a visit to Tiritiri Matangi or Rotoroa Island. While a day trip can be a great way to get a taste of what Tiritiri has to offer, an overnight stay in the Department of Conservation (DOC) bunkhouse gives groups or families an opportunity to truly soak in the tranquility and magic. “The birdsong on Tiritiri Matangi is reminiscent of what New Zealand would have sounded like back in the day. Those staying overnight on the island can hear this dawn chorus first hand,” says Jaime Miller, communications and content manager at Fullers360. It’s a rare camping experience and one that shows just how important it is to protect our waters and preserve our unique flora and fauna.
Fullers360 holds a special relationship with DOC to protect predator-free islands and upholds stringent biosecurity procedures. “We also work closely with the conservation trusts working to protect the Hauraki Gulf islands, and support wildlife releases. For example, on the morning of 9 February, Fullers360’s D7 ferry had a very important passenger on board. Sheltered from the excited chatter of 170 daytrippers, a 30-day-old kiwi chick sat nestled into his ‘Kiwi on the Move’ travel box in the wheelhouse, quietly accompanied by the skipper, concentrating on safety, navigating to another sanctuary, Rotoroa Island,” explains Jaime.
Sustainable Coastlines
Sustainable Coastlines, a charity designed to enable people to look after the coastlines and waterways it loves, has helped coordinate cleaning up rubbish from Tiritiri Matangi and other islands and areas throughout the Hauraki Gulf and beyond. Since December 2010, Sustainable Coastlines has coordinated the clean up 1,527,725 litres of rubbish, with single use plastics being the worst offender to the marine environment. The clean ups have been organised at many Auckland beaches and islands in the gulf with organisations and groups doing their best to make a difference and keep our coastlines beautiful.
Off to the Coromandel
Some of our most beautiful and pristine beaches can be found on the Coromandel Peninsula, though it is not always the easiest drive. The winding roads and holiday traffic can make the journey quite challenging especially for young children, but going by road isn’t the only way. Fullers360 has been running the Coromandel ferry service for many years. In the summer, the service sails daily from Auckland to Coromandel in the morning, with a return sailing in the afternoon or evening. From the ferry terminal it is just a 75-minute scenic journey through the Hauraki Gulf to Hannaford’s Wharf in Coromandel where a free shuttle waits to take you in to Coromandel town on arrival.
On a day trip you can explore the historic town, have coffee, visit art galleries, go shopping or choose to stay the night and explore Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. From backpackers and campgrounds to motels and waterfront baches, Coromandel has places to stay that will suit any budget or group size. Returning home on an evening ferry with a glass of wine as the lights of the city begin to twinkle could be the perfect end to a relaxing traffic-free holiday.
Waiheke
Waiheke is already a firm favourite with many Ponsonby News readers and Fullers360 makes getting there easy. A comprehensive schedule of crossings between the city and Matiatia Wharf will see you visiting boutique vineyards, enjoying world-class dining and taking incredible walks with spectacular scenery within an hour of leaving downtown Auckland. The harbour crossing only takes 40 minutes, making Waiheke an easy destination you can visit again and again and again.
One place we believe is a must visit is the award-winning Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant owned by Robyn and Nicholas Jones. It is one of around 30 boutique wineries on the island and has been a part of the Waiheke landscape since 1992. “It has now been over 18 years since we opened the restaurant – 20 years since the first plantings. We have aged and so has our environment! Our vines are mature, but we still plant new varieties. We now have two vineyard sites on Waiheke, complete with fully operational winery, and now we have received gold medal recognition for our wines,” says Robyn Jones.
Just you and the water
If you like staying a bit closer to the waterline, then kayaking, stand up paddle boarding (SUP) or learning to sail could be the perfect ways to soak up everything the gulf has to offer. Launching a kayak off one of the small, local beaches and paddling across the harbour offers some of the most beautiful scenery around. It can be difficult to believe you are on the doorstep of the country’s biggest urban centre.
Auckland is called the city of sails for good reason, offering opportunities to learn to sail and some of the best boating conditions in the world. Learning to sail and getting out on the harbour with confidence can be as easy as making contact with the local Ponsonby Cruising Club (PCC). The club has been going for 119 years and is all about making sailing accessible to as many people as possible. Run predominantly by passionate sailing volunteers, the club makes it easy for anyone to get out sailing regardless of experience. From running sailing courses for children and adults, to helping organise crews for boats and running a full range of social and competitive races, the Ponsonby Cruising Club is truly the grass roots of Auckland sailing.
“Everyone is welcome whether they are a complete beginner or the more experienced seasoned racer,” explains Kelsey Muir, the club’s Vice-Commodore. Kelsey takes beginners on as crew for her women’s boat and explains that within a season even the most novice sailor can become competent enough to get out on the harbour and have fun. For those wanting to fast track their way through sailing jargon and take part in the social racing scene sooner rather than later, the PCC runs Level 1 and Level 2 sailing courses throughout the year that are designed to build your knowledge and skills. “We have the best cruising grounds in the world and even if you’ve never sailed before, you’ll find that an evening on the harbour is a fantastic introduction to the sport. We’ve got plenty of boats that are keen to take new sailors aboard and show you the ropes,” says Kelsey.
A keen sailor herself, Kelsey is looking forward to the excitement the America’s Cup will bring to our waters next year when the crews start to arrive and says there is no better time than now to learn to sail and be even closer to the action of it all.
America’s Cup 2021
America’s Cup syndicates are due to start arriving in Auckland from mid 2020, returning the sailing world’s focus back on Auckland. The first regattas are due to begin in either December 2020 or early January 2021, transforming our harbour and the city into hosts to the world’s most prestigious sailing event. It is projected that the America’s Cup will add over 600 million to the New Zealand economy, mostly in Auckland. The majority of benefit coming from the people it attracts. Everyone from teams, sponsors, media and visitors will become part of our community enjoying and making the most of the beautiful Hauraki Gulf. There has probably never been a more exciting time for locals to be out on the water.
#TiritiriMatangi #RotoroaIsland #America’sCup2021 #Waiheke #KawauIsland #Coromandel #SustainableCoastlines #MudbrickVineyard #Fullers360