If you wanna get out of the city for one day, try Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, a bit north of Auckland: beaches, loooots of different walks, waterfalls, kauri trees, bush …

What I will suggest is kind of a round trip. For the ideal way to start exploring, take the Great North Road (number 11) which is later crossing the Scenic Drive (number 24). Take that one, pass Titirangi and visit the Arataki Environment and Heritage Centre is featuring breathtaking 360 degree views, and is an informative and fun place to visit (see picture with the Maori wood carving). Here you can collect useful maps and brochures on what to see and do in the Waitakere Ranges.

The west coast is connected to the Scenic Drive by three main roads. Huia road is the most southern one. Take swim at Cornmallis Beach, one of the safest beaches in the Manukau Harbour. Attention, the last part of the road is a gravel road, but leads you to a nice bay backed by a large grassy area – sounds good for a picnic! Swimming is only possible at high tide!

Taking Piha Road from the Scenic Drive will bring you to Piha Beach, which is highly regarded internationally by surfers. In fact, Auckland’s west coast beaches have the highest wave count of any in the world. Swimming between the flags is essential at all times – never swim alone! On the way there you could take a bushwalk to the Kitekite Falls, which is quite a big waterfall running down over three terraces.

The neighboring beach is Karekare Beach, location for the movie “The Piano”. It is a bit smaller and less developed residentially. If you wanna have some time and a place for yourself, take Anawhata Road, which leads you to the more remote beaches north of Piha.

Get back to the Scenic Drive and take Te Hanga Road close to the little town of Swanson. Spend some time at Cascade/Kauri, on Falls Road, to see the grandeur of a kauri forest with trees that are over a hundred years old. Going on to Bethells Road you can also visit the unique Lake Wainamu with its extraordinary sand dunes. Te Henga Beach (Bethells Beach) looks pretty wild.

Finding the way back to Auckland is easy. Just follow the Scenic Drive further north and then take Great North Road again!