Get to know West Auckland

Somewhat a microcosm for New Zealand overall, West Auckland is where wild ocean bites at idyllic coastline and roads weave through vineyards and bucolic vistas before untamed rainforest swallows them whole.

KAIPARA

Hikers can’t resist the three-day self-guided walk, Kaipara2Kaipara, while art lovers hanker for tickets to the revered Gibbs Sculpture Farm. To discover the area’s underrated beauty, book a five-hour cruise across Kaipara Harbour.

© Gibbs Sculpture Farm, West Auckland

THE WAITĀKERE RANGES

Giant kauri trees pepper the Waitākere Ranges’ regenerating rainforest. Visit Arataki Visitor Centre for detailed information on the forest’s 250km of walking trails and various Māori carvings depicting the ancestry of local Te Kawerau ā Maki. Due to kauri dieback disease, some tracks may be closed.

ART SCENE TE URU

Once home to New Zealand painter, Colin McCahon, Titirangi remains an arty little village fringing the Waitākere Ranges. Artists take their inspiration from the stunning surrounds. Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery, West Auckland’s public art gallery, blends inspired architecture, a stunning setting and top-quality art. Curated exhibitions are always smart, thought-provoking and surprising. McCahon’s former house is now open to the public as a mini-museum. A little tricky to find, look out for signposts just before you reach the village itself. The house is 2km down the hill.

GAZE UPON THE GANNETS

The gannet colony at Muriwai’s Ōtakamiro Pt is a major drawcard. Take an easy walk along a well-formed path that leads to perfect vantage points. The best time to visit is between August and March each year.

KUMEŪ & BEYOND

Come for the wine, stay for the beer. Kumeū has rolling vineyards (many with free tastings) and the prized Hallertau brewbar in proximity. Don’t forget to invite Des along (your designated driver) so everyone can have a good time and stay safe. A 35-minute drive west from central Auckland, windswept black-sand beaches meet dramatic cliffs and surfers take on the waves at Piha, Muriwai and Karekare.

KUMEŪ WINE

Head to Kumeū to experience the outstanding wine of Auckland’s oldest wine region. Some of the best-known names in New Zealand wine come from here, along with smaller boutique winemakers.

Visit The Hunting Lodge Winery & Restaurant, an expansive estate with a winery, bottling works, cellar door, restaurant, café and pretty gardens; Soljans Estate Winery which is family-owned and excels in pinot gris, chardonnay and pinotage, with a cellar door and restaurant as well; Coopers Creek Vineyard where you can visit the cellar door to taste their fine range of wines and stroll through the gardens.

Kumeū River Wines is where the world-class chardonnay produced can be tasted at their cellar door, and Westbrook Winery is where you can enjoy a tasting and a cheese platter overlooking the duck pond.

Should you fancy staying overnight, Vineyard Cottages nudge the grape vines just 10 minutes’ drive from Kumeū and are utterly charming.

The Hunting Lodge, West Auckland © Todd Eyre

WILD BEAUTIFUL BEACHES & SURF

Strung like black pearls, the dynamic surf beaches that line the coast are what the region is best known for. Wander along the striking black sand and feel the power of the tugging water.

1. WHATIPU is windswept, moody and memorable. Swimming isn’t advised, but with vast dunes, caves and historic Māori sites, there’s still plenty to do. Access is via an unsealed road.

2. Dramatic KAREKARE has inspired many filmmakers and was most notably used in Jane Campion’s The Piano.

3. The popular beach at PIHA has some of the best surf in Auckland. Take a surf lesson or explore the rocky edges, and refuel at Piha Café afterwards.

4. TE HENGA (Bethells Beach) makes for a great day out with its surf beach and lagoon (swimming in the lagoon is not recommended). There are also huge sand dunes at nearby Lake Wainamu to explore.

5. With strong surf pounding a long expanse of black sand, MURIWAI is popular with walkers, surfers and swimmers. Horse riding and surf lessons are available too.

Although beautiful, these beaches are dangerous – only swim when lifeguards are on duty, and only between the red and yellow flags. Check www.safeswim.org.nz for live information on swimming conditions, patrol hours and water quality.

WOODHILL FOREST

The Woodhill Forest is home to the Woodhill Mountain Bike Park, with more than 100km of purpose-built trails and jumps. In this exotic forest you can also unleash your inner monkey high in the treetops on an exhilarating challenge course of suspended obstacles and ziplines, with different levels to match confidence, age and ability.

Woodhill Forest, West Auckland

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

West Auckland has your bases covered if you’ve got the kids with you. You’ll find an array of brilliant family-friendly attractions guaranteed to please.

Henderson’s WHOA! STUDIOS is a one-of-a-kind place – a film studio, puppet show, incredible playground, café and restaurant combined. Catch a live show before relaxing with a wine as you watch the kids climb the colourful crochet net.

For a taste of rural life, visit KIWI VALLEY FARM in Henderson and feed farm animals, ride a horse, take a tractor ride and get lost in the maze. Open Wednesday- Sunday 10am-4pm, except during school holidays when it’s open seven days.

If you’ve had your fill of big surf and are after a safe beach where the kids can play in white sand and kick a ball around on the grass, then head for CORNWALLIS on the Manukau Harbour.

Further around the coast, HUIA has a playground and a local store famous for good supplies.

Fantastic indoor options include a trampoline park in Avondale, an indoor rock climbing wall in Glen Eden, the interactive CHILDREN'S SCIENCE PLAYROOM in Henderson and EVENT CINEMAS at the Westgate Shopping Centre.

HOBSONVILLE PT features a fantastic playground with a nearby cycleway, café and ferry service to downtown Auckland.

THE BRICKSWORKS precinct at New Lynn’s Lynmall features flavours from around the world at family-friendly restaurants, mini-golf and a movie theatre – all the ingredients for a family-fun outing.

Whoa! Studios, Henderson, West Auckland © Philip Simpson

RIVERHEAD DAY TRIPS

Clinging to the tip of Waitematā Harbour just 25 minutes drive from central Auckland, Riverhead offers hiking and mountain biking in Riverhead Forest, Westbrook Winery on the doorstep and the popular Hallertau Brewery with craft beers and playground. The Riverhead is New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern and for something extra special, guests can arrive by ferry from downtown Auckland.