At the southernmost point of the Waitakere Ranges, Whatipu stands guard over the entrance to Manukau Harbour. With vast black sand dunes, a sizable wetland, impressive caves and staggering…
A section of the Headlands network, the Matietie Historic Reserve Track is a good taster of what the island has to offer. It’s a one to two-hour circular walk…
Every time I visit Duder Regional Park, it has the appearance of being jam-packed with people. But though the car park is overflowing, the only people I see while…
Waiheke Island tracks typically aren’t on the list of go-to walks around Auckland. But with the Te Ara Hura walk – a 100km loop around the entire island –…
A magical history tour Wenderholm Regional Park has a fascinating history. The first people to enjoy the area were the Polynesian ancestors of Māori. Later, descendants of the Tainui…
West Auckland gold Walking options in the Waitakere Ranges may still be limited due to track closures to protect kauri from dieback disease, but a quick drive to the…
The Wairoa Loop Track is a forest walk featuring views of the formidable Hunua Ranges and its impressive reservoirs. It’s an excellent day trip to get your forest fix, and it’s…
Lying 90km from Auckland as the kākā flies, Great Barrier Island/Aotea might seem like a logical destination for local trampers. But few venture there. The main hurdle to visiting…
An accessible summit We didn’t have to go far in our search for an alternative to our usual Waitakere Ranges stomping ground: Tamahunga sits just outside of Matakana, about…
Defending Auckland Had you been an Auckland resident just before the Second World War, the problems of city living would not have revolved around traffic, house prices and crime.…
A short road walk from the car park along Otau Road leads to the suspension bridge above the unnamed stream that drains the Hunua Range’s Wairoa Reservoir. The bridge…
In the footsteps of warriors For all their urban preoccupations, Aucklanders are blessed with a superb array of rugged day walks just beyond the city’s fringes. The Lake Wainamu…
Over the hill and far away… Just south of Bombay, the Mt William Walkway offers stunning views from some of the highest vantage points in the Auckland region. Being…
Omanawanui Track is part of the Hillary Trail and has a reputation for being spectacular. Winter weather in the ranges can be hit or miss – and the trails…
This easy 15km return walk has it all – bush, beach, coastal track, wildlife and a historic homestead. North of Long Bay, the walkway winds its way along the…
Just 50km north of Auckland lies the small historic village of Puhoi on the banks of the scenic Puhoi River. In the weekends the kayak trip to Wenderholm is…
Set off through the pohutukawa glade and step out onto the dark sand of Karekare. Head south along the beach, with cliffs looming to your left and the sea…
When one is Auckland-based and has children, being a weekend wilderness warrior can sometimes be difficult. Fortunately Auckland has a surprising number of wild gems hiding in plain sight.Disembark…
At the south-western tip of the Waitakere Ranges, at the mouth of the Manukau Harbour, lies the much weather- and ocean-beaten Whatipu. This beach is a great example of…
If you want dramatic cliffs, waves smashing into rocks and elevated ocean views then head to Bethells Beach (Te Henga) just 45 minutes from Auckland’s CBD. Te Henga Walkway…
Reaching Browns Island by kayak and enjoying a few hours exploration is achievable and makes a fantastic day out. The most popular starting point for a paddle to the…
This is a great walk to do on the way to Whangarei or as a half-day trip from Auckland. Bring a headlamp or torch for the caves. Start at…
The southern end of the Waitakere Ranges provides the highest hills in the region. It also provides views of sheer rock cliffs among otherwise forest-covered hills. The hills are…
One of the most fascinating day trips from Auckland is to Rangitoto Island, less than half an hour’s ferry journey from the CBD. It would be hard to call…
Tranquil harbours, white sand beaches and a rugged mountainous interior. These form the essence of Great Barrier Island, also known as Aotea by its original Maori inhabitants. This route…
This walk takes in a number of Waitakere tracks which, happily, make a loop. Mix and match as you like. Start out at the car park at the top…
Walking Auckland’s multi-day Hillary Trail is a goal of many but who says you have to do it all in one go when walking bite-sized sections can be just…
This island sanctuary offers the best birding experience in Auckland. Either catch the ferry from downtown Auckland or from Whangaparoa. You can freedom walk Tiri, but it is worth…
The track drops steeply from the road to Pohuehue Stream. The stream is shallow but wide enough to warrant a bridge and is surrounded by native bush which lets…
At 688m Kohukonui Peak is the highest summit in Auckland and can be reached on the Waharau – Kohukohunui – Mangatangi – Waharau loop on the eastern Hunua Range.For…
Only a 6km drive from Titirangi, the Slip-Pipeline-Incline Track loop offers an easy half day hike for city dwellers short on time. It’s possible to start the trip either…
An easy track leads from Kaiaraara Hut (28 bunks) up north branch of Kaiarara Stream. After an hour or so the first remains of historic kauri dams can be…
A well-marked track climbs a logging road through pines to a hilltop barn, then drops to reach a small saddle. After about 20 minutes there is a DoC signpost…
Tawharanui is a large park north of Auckland with a multitude of walking tracks and recreation opportunities including bird watching. You,ll need a couple of days to fully explore…
An off-the-beaten-track trip that showcases the best the Waitakere Ranges has to offer.From the car park the track winds its way gradually uphill. Cross the first stream and turn…
This walk combines several tracks: Cascade Track, Upper Kauri track and Lower Kauri Track. Do them all for 9.12km round trip back to Falls Rd. Shorter versions would be…
Tramp through New Zealand’s largest pohutukawa forest on this relaxing walk from the Rangitoto Wharf to the 260m summit and back again. Highlights include lava caves and the great…
The Hunua Ranges are often referred to as the poor cousin of the more visually spectacular Waitakere Ranges. The Mangatangi Track, with it,s trig at 487m, offers one of…
Made up of two tracks – Ahu Ahu and Coman – the Karekare Circuit loops around from the beach to look out over the Tasman Sea and the rugged…
Beautiful walk with stream crossings, native bush with kauri, rimu tanekaha and plenty of bird life. The track is one-way, but can be made into a loop by taking…