Living in Auckland is great as it gives you the opportunity to both attend lots of cultural events and spend quality time in nature.

Not only Auckland is one of the greenest cities we have ever seen, but it’s also relatively close to wild areas which you can access with a day trip in any season really –unless it’s pouring with rain!

We have selected 5 day trips for this article, but there are more than that! Just keep exploring as you go.

 

West Auckland

There are many beautiful and popular spots to walk on black-sand beaches along the West Coast like Whatipu, Karekare, Muriwai and Piha, but there are two which are less know and equally beautiful: Bethells Beach and Anawhata beach.

 

Bethells Beach and Sand Dunes

This is a great spot for a walk and a picnic –there is also a small café a the car park. You can go for a walk on the sand dunes and then on the beach, or the other way around; just bare in mind that the car park for the sand dunes is before the one for the beach.

If you go for the beach, check when it’s low tide so you can walk into the cave on your left and stretch your walk to the nearby O’neill Bay on your right –facing the ocean, of course.

Anawhata Beach

This is a truly little gem accessible on foot only from the above car park. The road to get there is unsealed but well-maintained, so you don’t need a 4×4 –the view is quite scenic! Please keep on the track to access the beach as the land around it is privately owned.

This is also a great spot for surfing, a picnic or sunset. We when on a cloudy day and it was still very pretty.

North-East Auckland

On the East coast you have white, sandy beaches and some well-know spots such as Long Bay, Shakespear Regional Park and Tawharanui Regional Park.

If you drive a little bit further Matakana, you will end up in Leigh where there is a delicious cafè / fish & chips restaurant: Leigh Eats. From there, drive to Goat island Marine Reserve! Check out the tides to snorkel or walk to the island.

NOTE: Between Matakana and Leigh there is also Ti Point Reptile Park, where you can see tuatara, lizards, alligators and more.

South Auckland

Duder Regional Park

This is a wonderful spot we have found by chance one day Guido went kite surfing at Beachlands. After his kite surfing session we wanted to go for a walk and a picnic. Duder Regional Park came up on Google Maps and we went there to explore.

The entrance to the car park is from North RD and it’s pointed out as “entrance” Google Maps. You can park for free and then start you walk to explore the peninsula from the beach as well as above.

The views are stunning and it’s very peaceful.

Cossey-Massey-Loop-Track

This is a lovely walk into New Zealand bush! You will walk through some native forest and you can even spot some Kereru or other native birds. There is a bit of up and down – so be prepared – a dam and a waterfall.

Bring your lunch with you and enjoy a day out

 

What’s your favourite day trip in / from Auckland? Share in the comments!