Plenty to do out west in Auckland

Tour buses will inevitably include most of the "must-see" attractions in Auckland, such as the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, the Auckland Zoo and a drive to the top of Mt Eden.

But with a bit of extra knowledge, you can take your time and enjoy what you want without following the crowd.

In The New Zealand Herald Guide to Auckland 2004 we've grouped our top attractions by area so you can see what else is close by. Today in the last of our series of excerpts from the Guide, you can check out the main attractions in the Western Springs area.

AUCKLAND ZOO

Motions Rd, Western Springs, ph: (09) 360 3819.

Auckland Zoo opened in 1922, but the animal-friendly, modern version is a world away from the cages and concrete enclosures thought adequate then.

Now there is a new home for sealions, a natural rainforest enclosure for the smaller monkeys, an aviary which puts you and the birds in the middle of New Zealand bush, an elephant enclosure with hot showers, pools, elephant-sized toys and room for them to exercise, a grasslands environment for the lions with interconnected habitats where animals are able to roam together, and a habitat where giraffes and zebras share their waterholes.

Among the 150 species and 500 animals, the toy-like red pandas are a favourite, as is the kiwi house. This nocturnal setting for the night-dwelling kiwi means you have to let your eyes become accustomed to the low light before quietly observing New Zealand's famous flightless bird.

Getting there: Take the Western Springs exit off the Northwestern Motorway. For bus information and timetables, phone Rideline: (09) 306 6400. Free parking.

Open: 7 days (excluding Christmas Day) 9.30am-5.30pm.

Costs: Adults $13, senior citizens $9, students $10, children (4-15 yrs) $7 (under 4) free, family concessions available. During summer, the Explorer Bus provides a satellite service from the Auckland Museum hourly between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

MOTAT AND SIR KEITH PARK MEMORIAL AVIATION COLLECTION

The Museum of Transport, Technology and Social History, Great North Rd, Western Springs, ph: (09) 846 0199

Volunteers maintain this preserve of buses, planes, trains, trams, machinery, communications equipment, and aviation memorabilia. The best bits for kids include getting into the cab of the 90-tonne K900 steam train, travelling on the tram, and playing in the Science and Technology Centre. The Pioneer Aviators pavilion is a shrine to Jean Batten, but there are also replicas of two Richard Pearse planes.

At the airfield, a tram ride away, check out the Solent flying boat Aranui, which was in service 1949-1960.

Open:7 days (except Christmas Day), 10 am-5 pm.

Costs: adults $10, children (5-16 yrs) $5, senior citizens $5.

WESTERN SPRINGS LAKE

Great North Rd, Western Springs

The lake was one of Auckland's early water supplies. It is a natural, spring-fed lake harbouring a variety of wildlife - swans, ducks, geese, pukeko and a growing number of native eels.

A series of paths surrounds the lake, making this a relaxing stop-off between the Auckland Zoo and Motat.

* The New Zealand Herald Guide to Auckland 2004 (Penguin $16.95, available at all bookstores)