Leigh
When it comes to weekend escapes and getaways, there’s no better place than the lucid fishing village of Leigh.
A quiet little gem by the sea, Leigh is a place of tranquility and beauty where you can relax and set your own pace of indulgence. In fact, Leigh moves at exactly the pace you want it to!
Leigh offers a lot to those who like to go fishing. Pretty Leigh Harbour is home to a fleet of commercial fishing boats, and allows access to many fishing spots around the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Also, there is good diving off Leigh Reef, Ti Point and Tawharanui.
For folks who are outdoorsy, walkways extend both sides along the coast above the marine reserve. Leigh Harbour Walkway around the harbour passes the boat ramp and historic Jolly Fisherman’s Lodge. A Clifftop Walkway meanders around the coast giving fantastic views and finishing at Matheson Bay where a bush walk follows the river to Leigh Road.
And if you don’t want to walk, bring your kayak and explore the coast. There’s plenty to see.
Bird life includes kakas (a native parrot), bellbirds, tuis, kererus and even a few kookaburras and little blue penguins. Australasian gannets, pied shags and oyster catchers are common. Bottlenose dolphins and orca are often seen close to shore while common dolphins and Bryde’s whales are usually further out.
New Zealand’s only reptile park is at Ti Point where the variety of reptilian wildlife includes tuatara, alligator, turtles and tortoises.
