The Millwater Mag, June 2016

NEARBY NEIGHBOURS Whangaparaoa – the Jewel in the Hibiscus Coast’s crown!

Stretching 15kms from Red Beach to Shakespear Park, the one catered for, including the leisure centre in Stanmore Bay. Whangaparaoa Peninsula continues to be one of the most You can swim indoors, swing a squash racquet, play basketball, idyllic beachside areas of the country. attend many fitness classes or work out in the gym. Next door is rugby league with its national-leading teams and right across Glimpses of the coast, South and North, offer the beauty of the road soccer players chase the round ball. the Hauraki Gulf every time you drive, walk of bike it. It’s dotted with parks and playgrounds; when you add 10 beaches Educating the young (and not so young) is a breeze; Whangayou are forgiven for believing it is in fact Heaven! paraoa College/Intermediate along with the private Wentworth College in Gulf Harbour. Red Beach, Stanmore Bay, WhangaThe Whangaparaoa Peninsula hosts 3 golf courses; one of paraoa and Gulf Harbour all offer primary schooling, and there which, Gulf Harbour, is world-renowned. The world-class ma- are plenty of 1st class pre-schools as well. rina complex offers divers, sightseers and boaties of all types the gateway to the Hauraki Gulf. Surrounded by a plethora Dining on the ‘coast’ is superb and virtually all tastes are well of islands, getting away from it all is simply at your doorstep. and truly catered for. A curry in Manly Village, a Pizza at Jac’s, or fine cuisine at the “Cove” – the choice is endless and the staff are If you haven’t been to ‘Z’ pier to watch the snapper and king- all friendly. fish fight the sting rays for bait, you simply have to do so. I take all visitors and family members to watch this spectacle Selling homes in the area for 17 years, I know the many changes – it is truly marvellous! over the 20 years I have been living here. The diversity of the houses is awesome; from age-old baches to multi-dimensional Regional Parks, including Shakespear, are abundant and offer mansions, to work-from-home duplexes, to penthouse apartvisitors and ‘coasters’ beaches, play areas and perfect environ- ments – and everything in between. ments to gather as families or friends. Grown-ups to toddlers are all included in recreational aspects that only a true coast So close to Auckland, yet far enough away, the Whangaparaoa has at hand. Whether it’s learning or competitive, or simply Peninsula offers an alternative like no other. I guarantee when for the fun of it, any form of sea-based activity can be had. you arrive back from being away, or just coming home from Clubs abound and getting in or out on the water is easily a work, your mind will breathe a sigh of relief. You are once again major pastime for many. at the beach and feel like you’re on holiday. My only word of caution is: make sure you say “hi” back to everyone, or they may Land-based clubs are plentiful too, with pretty much every- just think you’re visiting!