West Auckland
The west is wild. This is where the Tasman Sea's mighty surf pounds onto black volcanic sand, and hundreds of kilometres of walking trails meander through native forest.
Huge gannet colonies line the cliffs and New Zealand fur seals patrol the beaches.
Kumeu is where you’ll find Auckland’s oldest established vineyards, while charming rural townships like Titirangi are home to colonies of artists rather than seabirds. Tucked into the rainforest, Titirangi is also a great café stop and the gateway to the bush-clad Waitakere Ranes.
The west’s beaches seem to stretch on forever. Piha and Muriwai are some of the easiest to access. Others include Bethells Te Henga, Karekare, Anawhata and the more remote Whatipu.
Further north, Woodhill Forest is a natural playground with mountain bike trails, quad-biking and tree canopy adventures. Helensville township is just nearby. Established in the timber milling days of the 1800s it sits on the vast Kaipara Harbour.
