Auckland's west coast is the part of the region that stays with people, and it is the part most visitors never reach, because there is effectively no public transport and the roads through the Waitākere Ranges are winding and unsigned.
This is a day out to the Tasman side — iron-black sand, cliffs, a gannet colony you can stand within a few metres of, and rainforest with a live rāhui over much of it. The track situation out there changes constantly. We check it the morning of the tour, which is most of the value.
| Duration | Full day, approx. 7 hours |
|---|---|
| Departs | Central Auckland hotel pick-up |
| Group size | Small group, or private |
| Season | Year-round; gannets September to February |
| Booking | Enquiry and quote, or book through our Rezdy booking platform once your dates are confirmed |
How the day runs
We collect you from central Auckland and head west on Scenic Drive through the Waitākere Ranges, stopping at the Arataki Visitor Centre for the lookout, the carvings and the current track information.
From there it is down to Piha — the long black beach split by Lion Rock, with the surf club, the cliffs and, in season, patrol flags. There is time to walk the beach, take the lower Lion Rock track for the view up and down the coast, and swim between the flags if conditions and the season allow.
After lunch we head inland and north to Muriwai for the Takapu Refuge gannet colony, where around a thousand pairs of tākapu nest on the headland and the stacks offshore. Depending on the day and your group, we may finish with a tasting in the Kumeu wine district on the way back into the city.
What's open, and why it matters
Kauri dieback is killing kauri across the Waitākeres. In December 2017 Te Kawerau ā Maki placed a rāhui over the forest and Auckland Council closed a large number of tracks; storms in 2023 and a fire in late 2025 caused further damage. Tracks reopen in batches as boardwalks go in.
Separately, Auckland Council has been upgrading the Muriwai Gannet Colony Track, with work running into 2026 and further temporary closures signalled for the second half of the year as a new structure goes in.
We check the council's current track status on the morning and shape the route around it. Self-drive visitors regularly arrive at a closed gate; that is the thing this day is designed to avoid.
A note on the water
The west coast beaches account for a disproportionate share of New Zealand's drownings, and overseas visitors are over-represented in that figure. The sand looks like a normal beach; the Tasman behind it is not.
Swimming happens between the flags, in the patrol season, or not at all. Our guides will tell you plainly when the answer is not at all. Everything else about the day — the walk, the cliffs, the colony, the light on the black sand — works regardless.
What's included
Included
- Central Auckland hotel pick-up and return
- Vehicle and driver-guide for the day
- Arataki Visitor Centre and Waitākere lookouts
- Piha beach and Lion Rock
- Muriwai gannet colony, subject to track access
- Current track and safety information checked on the day
Not included
- Lunch and refreshments
- Kumeu cellar-door tasting fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Accommodation in Auckland
- Anything not listed as included
Common questions
About 40 kilometres and 45 minutes to an hour of driving through the Waitākere Ranges on winding, narrow roads — longer on summer weekends. There is no useful public transport, no petrol station at Piha and only a small store, which is why most visitors either hire a car or take a guided day.
The nesting season runs roughly August to March, with September to February the reliable window. Birds arrive from late winter, chicks fledge through late summer, and the headland is largely empty by April. Track upgrade work has affected access — we confirm the current position before each departure.
Only between the flags and only during the summer patrol season, generally late October to Easter. Piha and Muriwai have strong, well-documented rips and unimpeded Tasman surf. If the flags are not up, we will say so. Bring swimwear and treat it as a bonus rather than the plan.
Some are, many are not. A rāhui and council closures protect kauri from dieback disease, and storm and fire damage have closed further tracks. The picture changes month to month, which is why we check the council's current status list on the morning of each tour and adjust the route accordingly.
Yes, with the caveat that swimming is restricted and the day involves a fair amount of driving on winding roads. The gannet colony works well with children. For families wanting beach time, the sheltered eastern bays are a better bet — see our Auckland with kids page.
Water and something to eat, sun protection, a windproof jacket (the Tasman side is cooler and windier than the city), and footwear you can walk on hot black sand and uneven tracks in. Swimwear in summer.