Waitakere Ranges

The Waitākere Ranges offer a dramatic escape into native forest and rugged coastline, just 40 minutes from central Auckland. This vast regional park is home to lush rainforest, black-sand beaches, waterfalls, and walking tracks that range from short strolls to multi-day hikes. Highlights include the scenic Arataki Visitor Centre, the Kitekite and Fairy Falls tracks, and sweeping views over the Tasman Sea. Whether you're after a nature walk, a surf at Piha, or a quiet retreat into the bush, the Waitākere Ranges showcase the wild beauty of Auckland’s west.