Its enough to put you off!
Feb 15th 2007, 2:08 pm
#181
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 175
Re: Its enough to put you off!
nz anti american? are you kidding? anti bush maybe.... its as close to bible belt hicksville as you can get....
Feb 16th 2007, 2:57 am
#185
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Posts: 117
Re: Its enough to put you off!
Actually I've thought about this a bit, and to my surprise I've concluded you're probably right, there is a lack of serious walking to be had within 3 hours of Auckland. Maybe the Coromandel has a bit, or Gt Barrier if you want to take a ferry out there. Is there not anything decent in the Waipoua forests?
I get the idea that there is an almost exclusive Auckland focus on watersports, perhaps to the detriment of land based stuff.
I guess it just goes to show that even within a relatively small country there are some big variances in geography and the recreational opportunities available. Somebody moving to Dunedin could be disappointed in the boating available here, while those in Auckland could be disappointed there are no decent mountains available.
It is a concern I have sometimes had - that immigrants are drawn to NZ often by the South Island type scenery and the recreation that goes with it, but then feel almost compelled to initially move to the North Island because they feel there is a better job market there.
ps I don't think Lonely Planet is written by locals, but please feel free to prove me wrong.
I get the idea that there is an almost exclusive Auckland focus on watersports, perhaps to the detriment of land based stuff.
I guess it just goes to show that even within a relatively small country there are some big variances in geography and the recreational opportunities available. Somebody moving to Dunedin could be disappointed in the boating available here, while those in Auckland could be disappointed there are no decent mountains available.
It is a concern I have sometimes had - that immigrants are drawn to NZ often by the South Island type scenery and the recreation that goes with it, but then feel almost compelled to initially move to the North Island because they feel there is a better job market there.
ps I don't think Lonely Planet is written by locals, but please feel free to prove me wrong.
I am not sure that you are trying hard enough to find decent places to go walking or tramping. I live 3 hours from Auckland in the Bay of Plenty and there is some excellent walking around here. 2 hours from central Auckland are the Kaimai Range. If you start at the Karangahake Gorge end then Mount Te Aroha is a fairly challenging climb at 900+ metres. From there you can walk the Kaimai ridge for 2-3 days without crossing a road. The DOC provide huts for trampers. To the North there is a spectacular view of the whole Bay of Plenty and to the South the view over the Hauraki Plains. I am from Wales - a country with its fair share of mountains and wilderness but I have never experienced anything as spectacular as this type of walk in Wales. And here, of course, we have the weather to enjoy it. No getting soaked to the skin and suffering with exposure!
A little further from Auckland but not a ridiculous distance are the National Park with the Volcanoes like Mount Ruapehu. The Tongariro crossing has been described as the bext one day walk in the North Island.
What about trying the Eastern Cape. Some of the finest beaches I have ever seen with no people and fantastic gentle walks inland to enjoy.
Has anyone else tried the alks around t some of the higher lakes in Rotorua? Lake Rotoma and Rotawiti are spectacular and very largely deserted.
I can't understand why anyone would say that New Zeland is de-forrested. I hjave NEVER seen so many trees! OK they may not be desiduous trees but there is a very good reason for that. New Zeland only has 1 native desiduous tree and that is very rare. Any tree that sheds its leaves that you see here has almost certainly been brought in by settlers. I actually quite enjoy being able to see green trees all year round rather than the bare trees in Winter I am used to in UK.
I would never condone the blatant racialism that classes "Americans" as stupid. For a remark like that to be made by a teacher is disgraceful. BUT, New Zeland is a small country that is isolated from the rest of the World - small country - small mind. I do have to say that I have encountered exactly the same type of behaviour on numerous occasions in many other civilised coutries around the World - including in the USA and Canada.
All in all I believe that New Zealand is a wonderful place to live. I do understand that it won't suit everyone - but then, in an odd way, that is part of what makes it a great place to live. For those of you trapped in Auckland you really should try and travel around a little more and see what the rest of the country is like. If then you really still don't like it then NZ is probably not the place for you.
Paul
The list is
Feb 16th 2007, 6:16 am
#186
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Back in NZ & loving it - living in Orewa
Posts: 1,183
Re: Its enough to put you off!
There are also some good walks to be had in Riverhead and Woodhill Forests - both within 40min of Auckland. You could walk the whole way from Muriwai to South Head in Woodhill Forest - that's about 80km. You've also got the Hunua ranges to the SE of the city, I haven't been there yet but I'm told it's good walking.
Feb 16th 2007, 6:58 am
#187
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Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Beachlands, East Auckland
Posts: 2,957
Re: Its enough to put you off!
All in all I believe that New Zealand is a wonderful place to live. I do understand that it won't suit everyone - but then, in an odd way, that is part of what makes it a great place to live. For those of you trapped in Auckland you really should try and travel around a little more and see what the rest of the country is like. If then you really still don't like it then NZ is probably not the place for you.
Feb 16th 2007, 9:37 am
#188
conquering the world!
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Puatahanui, Porirua
Posts: 4,905
Re: Its enough to put you off!
I enjoyed reading your post. I'd love to get out of Auckland a bit more to see this wonderful country.... I've hardly been anywhere so far. I actually do love it here where we live.... I love seeing the different colours of the sea everyday and gazing at the islands I can see across the water. If I love it here near Auckland I cant wait to see the rest of NZ...gotta be gorgeous!!
' perfect eh?!!
