Spotlight on Auckland's Northwest

Head northwest from central Auckland and the city soon gives way to vineyards, farmland, forest and wild black-sand coastline. This is where you’ll find Kumeū wine country, the waterways of the Kaipara Harbour, historic Riverhead and Helensville, and some of Auckland’s most dramatic west coast beaches.

Eat and drink your way around the Northwest

Start at Catalina Bay in Hobsonville, where a former air force base has become a waterfront dining precinct. Take your pick from Fabric Café & Bistro, Asian-inspired flavours at Siamese Doll, Italian-inspired small plates at Kittyhawk or a beer and relaxed meal inside the former seaplane hangar at Little Creatures.

Further along the Northwestern motorway, Goode Brothers at Westgate dishes up pizza, pasta and Italian-inspired comfort food within a lively atmosphere. In Kumeū, barbecue fans should make for Morepork BBQ, while The Gallery Japanese & Cafe is an easy stop for Japanese food and coffee. 

Continue towards Riverhead and you can settle in beside the water at The Riverhead, a historic tavern that has been serving the area since the 1850s.

Heading further north? Helensville makes a good coffee or lunch stop before exploring the Kaipara Coast, with country cafés, local producers and seasonal roadside stalls adding opportunities to pull over along the way.

Sip your way through wine country

Auckland’s Northwest has a winemaking history stretching back generations, particularly around Kumeū and Henderson Valley.

At Soljans Estate Winery, five generations of the Soljan family have been involved in winemaking. Stop at the Kumeū cellar door for a tasting, book a winery tour or stay for lunch at the onsite café.

Nearby Kumeu River Wines has built an international reputation for its Chardonnay, while Babich Wines traces its story back to 1916 and remains one of New Zealand’s best-known family-owned wine companies.

In Henderson Valley, Māzuran’s Vineyards offers another piece of Auckland wine history which you can learn more about while visiting the cellar door. The family has been making wine for generations, including its distinctive fortified wines.

Explore your wild side on Auckland’s west coast

Muriwai Beach, around 40 minutes from central Auckland, stretches along a dramatic section of west coast known for surfing, fishing and huge sunsets. The area is also famous for its gannet colony, with birds returning to breed from around August to March. 

Further south, Te Henga / Bethells Beach feels wonderfully wild, with a wide sweep of black sand backed by enormous dunes, wetlands and native bush. Follow the beach towards the Waitākere River, explore the dunes or simply sit on the sand and watch the Tasman Sea roll in.

Then there’s Piha Beach, one of Auckland’s most recognisable stretches of coastline. Lion Rock rises dramatically from the black sand, dividing the beach in two, while steep bush-covered hills frame the bay and surfers make the most of the powerful west coast swell.

For somewhere quieter, take the turn-off to Karekare Beach. The road in is winding, but at the bottom you’ll find a broad sweep of black sand backed by native bush. The beautiful Karekare Falls is also just a short walk from the road.

West coast conditions can be powerful, so if you’re swimming, choose a patrolled beach and stay between the flags.

Get outdoors in the Waitākere Ranges and beyond

The beaches are only part of the West Coast’s attraction. Te Wao Nui o Tiriwa Waitākere Ranges Regional Park covers more than 16,000 hectares of native forest and coastline, with walking tracks ranging from short forest strolls to steeper coastal routes.

Track access changes, so check Auckland Council alerts before setting out and follow all kauri protection requirements, including using hygiene stations and staying on open tracks.

North of Kumeū, Woodhill Forest is the place to go for mountain biking, horse trekking and outdoor adventure among the pines. Around Riverhead, the forest is also popular for recreation, although access varies across different areas.

For something slower paced, head towards Kaukapakapa and Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens. A one-kilometre trail winds through the gardens past around 40 works by New Zealand artists, with the sculpture collection changing regularly.

Or continue to Helensville and soak in the thermal pools at Kaipkātiki Hot Springs after a day on the road.

Shop local and explore the smaller towns

At  Hobsonville Point, the Catalina Bay Farmers Market is a good place to browse fresh produce, baked goods and locally made food by the waterfront. From there, head out on the five-kilometre Hobsonville Point coastal walkway, following the shoreline past parks, public art and reminders of the area’s former life as an air force base.

Kumeū is the place to browse local food producers between winery stops, while Riverhead brings a quieter village feel beside the upper Waitematā Harbour.

Further north, Helensville has a historic town centre and independent shops, cafés and galleries, and makes a useful jumping-off point for exploring the Kaipara Harbour and South Head. Continue along the Kaipara Coast for rural galleries, plant nurseries, produce stalls and the sculpture gardens.

Pack a picnic and make a day of it

For food and wine: spend the day around Kumeū, combining a couple of cellar doors with lunch and local food stops. Muriwai is close enough to add a west coast sunset afterwards.

For a coastal escape: head to Piha for the beach and an open walking track in the Waitākere Ranges. 

For an easy waterfront day: start at Catalina Bay Farmers Market, walk the Hobsonville Point Coastal Walkway and finish with lunch or drinks by the water.

For countryside and Kaipara: follow State Highway 16 through Riverhead and Helensville, then continue towards Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens. 

Stay a little longer

High in the Waitākere Ranges, Waitakere Resort & Spa sits among native forest with sweeping views back towards Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. There’s a restaurant and pool onsite, with the surrounding ranges right outside when you’re ready to swap the robe for walking shoes. 

Dusk & Dawn Canopy Camping takes you deeper into the bush, with glass geodesic domes surrounded by native forest and birdsong. Canopy Glamping Escapes offers secluded stays across the Northwest, with cosy glamping accommodation set among rolling farmland and native bush.

Nar Helensville, Rewarewa PurePod is an off-grid glass cabin hidden among native trees, with glass walls and ceilings offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding bush and the stars overhead.

If you’d rather wake up near the coast, Auckland Council holiday parks offer a more laid-back base for exploring the beaches and regional parks.