Auckland's Wild West Coast & Black Sand Beaches Tour inc Lunch

This small group afternoon tour starts at Auckland Sky Tower and heads out of the city over the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore, then west through Coatesville, Kumeu and Riverhead. Along the way, your guide shares stories and background on the areas you pass through, giving context to the day rather than simply moving between stops.

At Hallertau Brewery, lunch is served from a set menu, followed by the chance to sample Hallertau’s craft beers. From here, the tour continues to Muriwai, where the black sand beach and rugged west coast landscape give the shoreline a very different feel from central Auckland.

A walk up from Muriwai Beach leads to views over the coast and the mainland gannet colony, the largest on the North Island mainland. Bird numbers vary through the year, but this stop offers a close look at one of the area’s best known wildlife sites.

Later, the tour crosses the harbour to Devonport and continues up North Head. This historic volcanic cone is known for its military tunnels, bunkers and gun placements, with coastal defence history stretching from the late 1800s through both World Wars. After time at the summit, you can return to the city by ferry from Devonport or by guided drive with central drop offs.