It takes just 30 minutes to drive west out of downtown Auckland and into the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, but it feels like you could be in a completely different country. With a capital-city-sized stretch of native forest, incredible beaches further west, and so much to take in and do, the park proves a popular spot with visitors.
It’s a popular spot with walkers, who are attracted by the different walking trails available for all levels of fitness. There are short walks with information panels telling you more about the local flora and fauna, all the way up to hikes that take several hours through this captivating landscape. If you’re an avid walker, try out the Hillary Trail: a 75-kilometre hike that will take about four days to complete, with camp sites dotted all along the route.
Karekare is one of the area’s stunning beaches and it featured in the successful 1993 film ‘The Piano’. Nearby, Piha Beach is great for surfing – though bear in mind that rips can make it unsafe for swimming. It’s best to check with local surf clubs before heading into the water.
For a more relaxed, leisurely adventure, pay a visit to the artistic hamlet of Titirangi where you can stop off at the local galleries and cafés. To find out more about what’s on offer in this area, head for the Arataki Visitor Centre, situated on a ridge and guarded by an impressive Maori carving. Here, you’ll find information on guided tours and outdoor activities such as canyoning and horseback riding.
Take a guided tour from Swanston on the edge of the ranges. Board the small Rain Forest Express railway, which will take you through the region’s caves and tunnels before arriving at Upper Nihotupu Dam, which is a perfect spot to stop for a picnic. For an excellent wine-tasting tour, head for Henderson Valley.
The ranges are easy to reach if you’re coming by car. If you decide to stay over, there’s plenty of accommodation in the form of beach houses and hotels along the coast.
