Air Bungy
The Sky Screamer (tel. 09/377-1328), Albert and Victoria streets, just down from Sky Tower, will send you skyward with a maximum adrenaline rush at 200kmph (124 mph). Prices start at NZ$50 per person. Open 11am to late.
Bungy Jumping
A. J. Hackett Bungy Auckland, Westhaven Reserve (bottom of Curran St.), Herne Bay (tel. 0800/462-8649 in NZ, or 09/361-2000; www.bungy.co.nz), is the world's first harbor bridge bungy. For NZ$150 adults and NZ$120 children ages 10 to 15, you can leap out over Waitemata Harbour.
Canyoning
Canyonz (tel. 0800/422-696 in NZ, or 027/532-3244; www.canyonz.co.nz) offers a range of energetic rappelling adventures on Auckland's west coast and in the Coromandel Peninsula. Costs range from NZ$195 for the Blue Canyon adventure (minimum age 12) to NZ$295 per person for a Coromandel excursion to Sleeping God Canyon (minimum age 16), where you can slither down a 300m (1,000-ft.) waterfall way off the beaten track.
Four-Wheel-Drive Biking
If "real" adventure in the country is your thing, call 4 Track Adventures, Restall Road, Woodhill Forest (tel. 0800/487-225 in NZ, or 09/420-8104; www.4trackadventures.co.nz). Its quad bikes are easy to ride, and you don't need previous experience. Expect to pay NZ$155 per person for a 1-hour safari. Two- and 3-hour safaris are also available. Van pickup from central hotels and backpackers is available for NZ$50. Minimum age for riders is 14, and 5 years for pillion passengers.
Golf
You'll find more than 40 golf courses in the Auckland region. For details call the Auckland Golf Association (tel./fax 09/522-0491; www.auckgolf.co.nz), Monday through Thursday between 9am and 5pm, and ask for the course nearest you and current greens fees.
Horseback Riding
The Auckland region is home to about 20 riding operations. Visitor centers can give you advice about the outfitter nearest you. One of the closest to the inner city is Valley View Riding (tel. 09/837-0525), in Henderson.
Jet Boating
Auckland Adventure Jet (tel. 0800/255-538; www.aucklandadventurejet.co.nz), will whisk you out onto Waitemata Harbour for a thrilling 35-minute, high-speed ride for NZ$98. They depart hourly from Pier 3D at the ferry Terminal at 99 Quay Street, at the bottom of Queen Street.
Kayaking
Ian Ferguson was one of New Zealand's top athletes; he competed in five Olympic games, won four gold medals and one silver, and in 1996 was named New Zealand Olympian of the century. He is also the man behind Fergs Kayaks. Located at Ian Ferguson Marine Sports Centre, 12 Tamaki Dr., Okahu Bay (tel. 09/529-2230; www.fergskayaks.co.nz), it offers several kayaking options; the most fun, perhaps, is the Rangitoto Night Trip, which involves a 75-minute paddle out to the island and a 45-minute walk to the top of Rangitoto for a spectacular night view of Auckland. The trip leaves at 6pm, returns by 11pm, and costs around NZ$150.
Mountain Biking
Downhill mountain biking is what you get with Auckland Adventures (tel. 09/379-4545; www.aucklandadventures.co.nz). It offers a number of mountain bike tours for groups of five people or more, taking in the best of West Auckland. Costs range from NZ$85 to NZ$135 per person, and biking time varies from 1 to 3 hours, depending on your level of fitness.
Sailing
You'll find numerous brochures about sailing charters at the visitor center, and the staff there can help you decide. See also "Organized Tours & Cruises," above. If you'd like to learn the basics, contact Sailing Away School of Sailing (tel. 09/521-2387; www.sailingaway.co.nz), and sailing master Suzanne Bourke will take you out on the French Connection.
Surfing
New Zealand Surf 'n' Snow Tours (tel. 0800/787-386 in NZ, or 09/828-0426; www.newzealandsurftours.com) offers 1- and 2-day surf tours for NZ$50 to NZ$199 and a 5-day surf tour at NZ$899 in the Auckland and Northland regions.
Swimming
Accessible from Tamaki Drive (where there's frequent bus service from Britomart), the beaches at Judges Bay, Okahu Bay, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, and St. Heliers Bay are popular inner-harbor swimming spots. If you want pool swimming, the visitor center has an excellent brochure, which details 10 major complexes.
Walking
An easy, enjoyable walk is along the promenade of Tamaki Drive, which takes you from the inner city around to the pleasant seaside suburbs of Mission Bay and Kohimarama. One Tree Hill, Cornwall Park, and Mount Eden all offer a bit of physical exertion. If you really want to explore, contact Waitakere Wilderness Walks (tel./fax 09/838-9007; www.wildwalks.co.nz), which offers 1- and 2-day walks and photographic excursions in the unspoiled west coast. An excellent self-guided trek is the Coast to Coast Walk, a 4- to 6-hour walk through the inner city and suburbs. A comprehensive map available from the visitor center shows the 15km (10-mile) route.
Day Spa Delights
Nothing beats relaxing in a quiet, sweet-smelling day spa at the end of a long day exploring. You're spoiled for choice in Auckland, but queen of them all is Chuan Day Spa at the Langham Hotel, 83 Symonds St. (tel. 09/300-2960; www.chuanspa.co.nz), where you can linger in herbal steam rooms, saunas, Jacuzzi, and ice pools, or perhaps a facial and a gentle massage and body treatment. East Day Spa, SKYCITY Grand Hotel, 123 Albert St. (tel. 09/363-7050; www.eastdayspa.com), focuses on Eastern-style holistic skin-care, massage, and beauty treatments. Bliss, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 128 Albert St. (tel. 09/368-4698; www.blissreflexology.com), offers traditional Chinese reflexology in a stylish, relaxing inner city haven. The Sanctuary at Mollies Day Spa, Mollies on Tweed, 6 Tweed St., St Mary's Bay (tel. 09/376-3489; www.mollies.co.nz), is a peaceful suburban haven at Mollies boutique hotel. The focus here is on massage, facials, and divine body treatments.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
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