The 2 Best of Auckland’s West Coast Beaches

Beaches and Bushwalking in West Auckland, New Zealand

Whether you’re a family, couple, or solo traveller, beaches are always a top place to visit, especially on a hot summer’s day, and Auckland’s West Coast Beaches have plenty to choose from.

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If you are travelling around New Zealand, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.

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If you’re a strong swimmer or want to get in a surf, then Auckland’s West Coast beaches are for you. Located on the other side of the Waitakere Ranges, these beaches are from Karekare to Muriwai. These black sands hold some of the best surfing in Auckland on a good day. They also have strong rips, so swim between the flags.

Karekare was the setting for the movie The Piano. Piha is famous for being the first Surf Life Saving Club in Auckland and having the large Lion Rock separating the North and South Beach. Muriwai Beach has a Gannet Colony, where around 1200 pairs nest from August to March each year and all have black, volcanic sand to walk along.

Waitakeres

If you want to explore this area before visiting Auckland’s West Coast Beaches, there are plenty of bushwalks to be done. If you are visiting any bushwalks in the Waitakeres, your first point of call should be the Arataki Visitor Centre. It is here that you will find updated information. You need to know if the tracks that are open or closed in the area are due to the Kauri Trees’ dieback disease.

Kauri dieback disease is killing Kauri trees in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. Closure of some tracks and the creation of protection zones help prevent the spread of this disease, but those using the park can also help. Please respect the following guidelines when visiting:

• Make sure shoes, tyres and equipment are cleaned to remove all visible soil and plant material before and after visiting the Kauri forest.
• Please use cleaning stations installed on major tracks.
• Stay on the track and off Kauri roots.

There is a lookout at the Arataki Visitor Centre over Auckland City and Harbour as well as the Dams in the bush looking toward Huia and the Manukau Harbour. Another lookout is on Scenic Drive 1 km from the Waitakere Resort and Spa. At this lookout, you will be amongst the bush and hear the calls of birds like Tui as you enjoy the view.

How to Get Here

The Arataki Visitor Centre is a 40-minute or 24 km drive from Auckland city centre on Scenic Drive in the Waitakere Ranges. It’s on the western side of Auckland bordering the Tasman Sea. You can reach here by bus if you don’t have a car, but it will be harder to find the many tracks throughout the Waitakeres if you don’t have a car.

Two of Auckland’s West Coast Beaches

Piha

Piha is the most famous of Auckland’s West Coast Beaches.

You have Lion Rock to walk up and see the Maori carving and Kitekite Waterfall, walk to enjoy. About one and a half hours from the Glenesk Road car park in Piha is the Kitekite Waterfall. This track has reopened after extensive work to ensure the safety of the Kauri trees in the area but not open when I visited.

Karekare Falls is only a quick 5-minute walk from the car park. Although it is an easy walk, there are some steps at the beginning. Once again, you should check with the Arataki Visitor Centre for updated conditions on the track.

How to Get Here

Piha Beach is on the other side of the Waitakere Ranges, a 50-minute or 40 km drive from Auckland City. There is no public transport available.

Muriwai

Muriwai is one of Auckland’s West Coast beaches that lets you get close to nature. A large Gannet Colony are that you can get very close to.

On the northern end of the beach, not far from the car park, is the track to see the Muriwai Gannet colony. There are steps and slippery flat rocks to negotiate, but it’s worth it when you see how close you are to these amazing birds. There are viewing platforms of the Tasman Sea and Muriwai as you go up, and three viewing platforms of the Gannets at the top, not only seeing them nesting but flying above the cliffs.

There are great views of Muriwai as you walk up the cliffs to the Gannet colony.

How to Get Here

Muriwai Beach is a 40-minute or 42 km drive from Auckland City. It is on the northern end of Auckland’s West Coast Beaches although you don’t have to travel over the Waitakere Ranges, you can although it will add an extra hour or two to your journey.

Where I Stayed

Auckland International (now Haka House Auckland) is a great hostel in an even better location. Right at the top off Queen Street, you are only a short walk to central Auckland, K Road, Auckland University, The Domain and of course, Auckland Harbour.

Facilities

How to Get Here

Auckland International YHA (Haka House Auckland) is at 5 Turner Street, just off the top of Queen Street in the city.

Conclusion

If you have the time there are more of Auckland’s West Coast Beaches to explore. I picked these two as the best as you have more options here like hiking to waterfalls and the Gannets.

Having a car is the best option for reaching all of Auckland’s West Coast Beaches. There are numerous bush tracks in the Waitakeres, so put aside time to be spent in the area.

Want to see more? You can check out my blogs on what to see on the outskirts of Auckland in Historic and Scenic Karangahake Gorge – South of Auckland or 25 of the Best Attractions in Auckland New Zealand.

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Links

If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.

Travel Resources

• Flights, Accommodation & Car Hire – You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Hopper and WayAway, which has 5% cashback.
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• Travel Insurance – is your number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master and Insubuy are invaluable in keeping you insured during your travels.
• Attractions – buy before you leave home with these great sites, Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
• House Sitting – is a great way to save on accommodation and Trusted Housesitters has house sits all around the world for you to try.
• Photo Editing – is a great way to bring your photos to life and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
• Visa Applications – apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
• Sim cards – Try Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).

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