aucklands west coast beaches

...take the scenic route with apex car rentals. Sample extract from "New Zealand Driving Holidays" guidebook Auckland's West Coast beaches chapter.

Well-known for its wineries, gannets, black sands and dramatic scenery, the West Coast of Auckland offers visitors the opportunity to see another side of the City of Sails. The Waitakere Ranges dominate this region and were formed by a series of volcanic eruptions. Today the ranges are covered in dense rainforest, which receives around forty percent more rain than Auckland City. Many of its rivers are dammed to form large reservoirs that hold the water consumed by the city below. Its wild, rugged coastline has a raw natural beauty, which tends to attract artistic types and those who endorse strong environmental principles, while its scenery has provided a backdrop for many award-winning movies -including The Piano -and popular TV series. We head west to soak up the atmosphere, surf its breakers, ride horses on the beach, taste wine, admire gannets and meet the locals.

day three: return to auckland city

Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations

We welcome a slow start in the morning, breakfasting upon bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and a crusty loaf from the provided self-cook basket. For a time we enjoy soaking up the rays from the morning sun on the patio at the back of the cottage, before we drive to Woodhill Forest. The production forest – all 12,500 hectares of it – provides a range of outdoor adventure activities. From quad biking to four wheel driving, horseriding, clay bird shooting, hiking, off-road motorcycling and mountain biking, there’s something here for everyone.

Bob and I choose to go our own ways again as he’s keen to learn to ride a quad bike. While he trains on 4-Track Adventures’ practice circuit under the expert instruction of Dan Ireland, and then joy-rides his way through muddy pools and forest streams to the beach, I hike to a sign-posted lookout. It offers good views of the forest, and after watching horses depart on the popular Woodhill Forest Horse Trail, I challenge myself on the rope courses at the Woodhill Tree Adventure Park. The first of its kind in NZ, there are eight courses to complete, ranging from easy to difficult. There’s no age restriction as your height determines whether or not you’re able to do a course. If you measure more than 1.40 metres you can do them all! I get through five before chickening out and after watching others complete the course I depart to pick up Bob.

He sits in the sun wearing facial mud splashes like a badge of honour and he’s talking to Tom, an outdoorsy bloke with whom he’s obviously struck up quite a rapport about – you guessed it – fishing. “I reckon the best surfcasting is from Bethells,” says Tom. “I’m heading out there later this arvo,” he adds as we leave. “Where’s Bethells Beach?” enquires Bob, ferreting around in the glovebox for the map...

Please click the link to download the full Auckland's West Coast Beaches scenic drive, courtesy of apex car rentals new zealand... the kiwi way

To read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of the following links:

• Auckland to Bay of Islands and Northland
• Cape Reinga and the Far North
• Auckland's West Coast Beaches
• Waiheke Island
• Auckland to Whakatane and the Bay of Plenty
• East Cape and Poverty Bay
• Whakatane to Hawkes Bay
• Rotorua - Maori Culture and Adventure Activities
• Hawkes Bay to Wellington
• Wairarapa- The home of Martinborough Wine
• Wellington to New Plymouth
• New Plymouth to Auckland

• Picton to Christchurch
• Akaroa and Banks Peninsula
• Christchurch to Queenstown
• Queenstown fabulous Queenstown
• Christchurch to Dunedin
• Dunedin to Te Anau
• Stewart Island
• Fiordland to Milford Sounds
• Central Otago
• Queenstown to Greymouth
• Greymouth to Nelson
• Murchison
• Nelson to Golden Bay
• Nelson to Picton

purchase nzdh online

If you would like to purchase a copy of this stunning nz pictorial guidebook online please click here (RRP $24.95 NZD plus postage)

view today's best deals for aucklands west coast beaches rental cars

With apex rental cars the longer you hire the lower the daily rate. Please click the link to view today's best aucklands west coast beaches rental car deal.