Ana’s guidebook
Sightseeing
beautiful spots and things to do.
40 min drive. Nice walk, great views. Walk to the beach. This is the northern head of the entrance to the Manukau Harbour. Walk to the caves. The road is slow and windy. Swimming not recommended.
18 residents recomanen
Whatipu Beach
40 min drive. Nice walk, great views. Walk to the beach. This is the northern head of the entrance to the Manukau Harbour. Walk to the caves. The road is slow and windy. Swimming not recommended.
30 min ferry from downtown. Island life in the Hauraki Gulf. Wineries. Beaches. Sculpture Trail. Jazz festival. We love Onetangi.
407 residents recomanen
Waiheke Island
25 Karaka Rd30 min ferry from downtown. Island life in the Hauraki Gulf. Wineries. Beaches. Sculpture Trail. Jazz festival. We love Onetangi.
4.5 hr ferry. 'Untouched' NZ in the Hauraki Gulf. Amazing birdlife. Great walks. Old school lifestyle. Climb to the summit of Hirakimata. Remote beaches. Off the grid. Night sky.
Great Barrier Island
4.5 hr ferry. 'Untouched' NZ in the Hauraki Gulf. Amazing birdlife. Great walks. Old school lifestyle. Climb to the summit of Hirakimata. Remote beaches. Off the grid. Night sky.
25 min ferry from downtown. Volcanic exploration. Recommend only on a clear day for visibility at the top of the volcano cone.
280 residents recomanen
Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve
25 min ferry from downtown. Volcanic exploration. Recommend only on a clear day for visibility at the top of the volcano cone.
10 min ferry from downtown. Great views around the Waitemata harbour and to Rangitoto Island and a nice walk around the north head mountain. Ferrying to Devonport and walking along the waterfront and up the hill is a nice day trip. It's a historical site with WWII tunnels and gun placements at the entrance to the Waitemata harbour. Good views back to the city and eastern bays.
85 residents recomanen
North Head
10 min ferry from downtown. Great views around the Waitemata harbour and to Rangitoto Island and a nice walk around the north head mountain. Ferrying to Devonport and walking along the waterfront and up the hill is a nice day trip. It's a historical site with WWII tunnels and gun placements at the entrance to the Waitemata harbour. Good views back to the city and eastern bays.
10 min drive. Advice on local walking tracks that are open. Good elevated views across the Waitakere dams and to both harbours. Information on local flora and fauna. Historical information about the area.
111 residents recomanen
Centre de Visitants Arataki - Waitakere Ranges
300 Scenic Dr10 min drive. Advice on local walking tracks that are open. Good elevated views across the Waitakere dams and to both harbours. Information on local flora and fauna. Historical information about the area.
Local shops
A gift shop with quality NZ items, mostly locally made. Great for souvenirs and sending things home.
8 residents recomanen
Gecko In The Village
400 Rangiwai RdA gift shop with quality NZ items, mostly locally made. Great for souvenirs and sending things home.
Titirangi Village Market.
Last Sunday of each month.
500 Sth Titirangi rd, in the carpark next to Library.
34 residents recomanen
Titirangi
Titirangi Village Market.
Last Sunday of each month.
500 Sth Titirangi rd, in the carpark next to Library.
Family fun
A good playground with a nice restaurant and a kids theatre show. In Henderson.
10 residents recomanen
Whoa! Studios
14 Henderson Valley RdA good playground with a nice restaurant and a kids theatre show. In Henderson.
Food scene
Soy & Ginger
416 Titirangi RdSushi, juices, cooked meals, bone broth.
Deco Eatery Cafe
418 Titirangi RdRestaurant with middle eastern flavours and a cocktail bar.
street food - check out facebook French Bay Brunch/Street Food/Dinner
13 residents recomanen
French Bay Beach
street food - check out facebook French Bay Brunch/Street Food/Dinner
Laingholm Takeaways
1 Western Rdfish and chips and takeaways.
Little India
142 W Coast RdBest closest Indian restaurant and takeaways.
Village Kebab
423 Titirangi Rdlocal Turkish food - eat in or take out.
Titirangi Medical Centre
2 Rangiwai RdThe Hardware Cafe
404 S Titirangi RdArts and Culture
Titirangi rd. includes art gallery, Lopdell House, Flicks Cinema, and gallery shop. Viewing area on top floor.
61 residents recomanen
Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery
420 Titirangi RdTitirangi rd. includes art gallery, Lopdell House, Flicks Cinema, and gallery shop. Viewing area on top floor.
Corban Estate Arts Centre
2 Mount Lebanon Lnin Henderson.
Sightseeing near Laingholm.
30 min drive. Very popular West coast surf beach. We recommend you always swim between the flags and don't go in above your waist.
South Piha - walk to the Gap at low tide. Visit Murray food truck in summer.
North Piha - walk to Kitekite falls.
145 residents recomanen
Piha
30 min drive. Very popular West coast surf beach. We recommend you always swim between the flags and don't go in above your waist.
South Piha - walk to the Gap at low tide. Visit Murray food truck in summer.
North Piha - walk to Kitekite falls.
25 min drive. Beautiful west coast beach and waterfall. Quieter than Piha. Take care if swimming and stay in the shallows.
17 residents recomanen
Karekare
25 min drive. Beautiful west coast beach and waterfall. Quieter than Piha. Take care if swimming and stay in the shallows.
40 min drive. Enjoy a lovely walk on the beach. In the summer Bethels Cafe is open with live music. Swim between the flags and stay in the shallows. This location has appeared in a lot of TV shows, films and music videos.
106 residents recomanen
Bethells Beach
40 min drive. Enjoy a lovely walk on the beach. In the summer Bethels Cafe is open with live music. Swim between the flags and stay in the shallows. This location has appeared in a lot of TV shows, films and music videos.
Activities
Tree Adventures [BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL]
Woodhill Forest near Muriwai Beach area.
Vector Wero Whitewater Park
770 Great South RdWhite water rafting experience in South Auckland.
hire an electric bike in the City and ride along Tamaki Drive to Saint Heliers passing Okahu Bay and Mission Bay.
Tamaki Drive
Tamaki Drivehire an electric bike in the City and ride along Tamaki Drive to Saint Heliers passing Okahu Bay and Mission Bay.