From Beaches to Caves: 10 Auckland Day Trips You Can’t Miss

Welcome to Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) New Zealand’s largest city, where the possibilities for adventure are endless.

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, nature lover, foodie or would rather sit in the sun with a good picnic, Auckland has something for you!

Auckland is ideally situated for day trips. From stunning beaches that stretch the length of the coastline to ancient caves hidden deep beneath the earths surface, a day trip from Auckland is the perfect way to explore more of the beauty of New Zealand’s North Island.

So, pack a picnic, grab your camera and come along for the ride – I’ll take you on a journey through my top 10 favourite day trips from Auckland.

Waiheke Island

Distance from Auckland CBD: 40 minute ferry ride

Vineyard hopping, good food and beaches galore. What more could you want?

Waiheke Island is a stunning destination that offers the perfect combination of nature, culture and relaxation.

With over 30 vineyards, olive groves, and restaurants to explore, Waiheke is a foodies paradise and is sure to excited even the pickiest of taste buds!

But it doesn’t stop there. The island is also home to hiking trails, adrenaline pumping activities like zip lining and art galleries so no matter what your interests are, Waiheke is a great day trip for the whole family.

My advice is to catch the early morning Fullers ferry from Devonport or the Downtown Ferry Terminal, and combine your ticket with the Waiheke hop-on, hop-off bus! The ticket will cost you $60, but you’ll have your transport sorted for the day and a day out between the islands most popular vineyards.

Check out my post on the 5 epic wineries on Waiheke Island for more details on Waiheke Island!

Rangitoto Island

Distance from Auckland CBD: 20 minute ferry ride

We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to island adventures in New Zealand! Rangitoto Island is Auckland’s youngest and largest volcanic island and it’s an iconic part of the city. Rangitoto is a super popular destination for hiking and the sheer quantity of scoria, lava caves to explore and unusual rock formations to marvel at.

You can either walk up to the summit for 360 degree views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf islands which takes about 60-90 minutes. Or take a guided tour on the the unique 4WD road-train!

Check out the best hikes in New Zealand for more details on this epic walk!

Matakana and Tāwharanui Peninsula

Distance from Auckland CBD: 1 hour

In the summer, there’s no better feeling than piling into the car at 9am on a Saturday, wearing your togs (swimming costume for non-kiwis!) and covered in sunblock, ready to start your drive to Matakana.

Located just an hour’s drive from Auckland, Matakana is beautiful, charming village renowned for its food, wine, and artisan products – whats not to like!

Plus, on Saturdays (you should definitely go on a Saturday) the Matakana Market is in full swing offering seasonal, local produce, fantastic coffee and the best sourdough bread I’ve ever had in New Zealand.

It’s also a gateway to beautiful beaches, like Tāwharanui Regional Park, Goat Island Marine Reserve and Omaha Beach. Tāwharanui Regional Park is photographed in my images above! Goat Island Marine Reserve is the best place for snorkling (stop at Leigh Sawmill Cafe on the way for a coffee or bite to eat). Omaha Beach is beautiful and expansive with plenty of parking, a few shops and a lovely cafe.

Shakespeare Regional Park and Whangaparāoa Peninsula

Distance from Auckland CBD: 40 minutes

Shakespeare Regional Park is a hidden gem located on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula and is a must-visit for nature lovers. It also holds a very special place in my heart as this is where Mathew and I first moved in together.

Shakespeare offers panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf and a beautiful place where you can enjoy hiking, swimming and even stay the night at the campsite! The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including New Zealand’s native kiwi bird.

On your way to the beach, stop in Stanmore Bay. There’s a number of shops here making it the perfect place to stock up prior to hitting the beach.

New World – a supermarket for all of your picnic needs.
L&Gs – a lovely local cafe serving up great food and coffee.
Beans and Bites – their iced coffee is a must-have.
Sushi Gallery – for all of the sushi lovers out there. Mathew is convinced that this is the best sushi in New Zealand (big call!),

Muriwai Beach – the West Coast

Distance from Auckland CBD: 45 minutes

Hellllllooooo epic sunsets!!!

Muriwai Beach makes up part of Auckland’s west coast. There are a number of beaches that you can visit on the West Coast, like Piha and Bethells, but Muriwai is my personal pick! If you have a 4×4, you can drive your car down onto the beach. Otherwise, park at the entrance to the beach in the car park.

A trip here is great for surfers, hikers and nature enthusiasts. Not only is it famous for its black sand, but also for it’s huge colony of gannets which can be viewed from the clifftop viewing platforms.

There’s a great little store in the entrance for Muriwai where you can stop to grab a drink, ice cream or dinner to take down to the beach.

Take some warm clothes unless you’re going in the middle of summer and sit on the banks leading up to the gannet colony for the best views of sunset. I mean – those photos speak for themselves!

Puhoi and Wenderholm Regional Park

Distance from Auckland CBD: 35 minutes

Puhoi is a historic village offering a glimpse into New Zealand’s early European settlement. It was founded in the mid-1800s by Bohemian settlers, and today, it still retains much of its historic charm

Explore the village’s museum, craft shops or cafes, or take a kayak trip down the Puhoi River. You can start your kayak trip at Puhoi, but my recommendation would be to begin at Wenderholm Regional Park and stop in at the Puhoi Pub at the half way point for some a drink.

The river is surrounded by lush native forest and is home to a variety of bird species, making it a tranquil and picturesque spot for a paddle. There are several local companies that offer guided kayaking trips, which range from a few hours to a full day. Along the way, visitors can spot native birds such as Tui, Fantails, and Kingfishers.

Make sure to time your trip so that you’re not paddling against the tide!

Mangawhai

Distance from Auckland CBD: 1.5-2 hours

Mangawhai is our first destination located outside of Auckland, in Northland. The town is known for its beautiful beaches, which are perfect for swimming, surfing and fishing (but, be sure to be careful of the rips!).

One of the most popular activities here is the Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway. The walkway is a 5.5km trail that winds along the coastline, offering stunning views back to the beach and the surrounding countryside. The walkway is relatively easy (expect for a very steep beginning section) and takes around 3 hours to complete.

After your walk, head into town to refuel and explore the variety of cafes and restaurants. Bennett Chocolate Factory is a must-visit when you’re in town for an interactive experience and to see how their chocolates are made.

Plus, you can also check out the weekend farmers market which takes place on Saturdays and boasts grown produce, artisanal goods and other treats. Yum!

Waitomo Caves

Distance from Auckland CBD: 2.5 hours

Stalagmites, glow worms and black water rafting? Say less.

The Waitomo Caves are a unique geographic formation located in the Waikato region – south of Auckland.

Home to New Zealand’s largest glow worm population, the Waitomo Caves attract tourists, and locals, from all over the country. These tiny creatures emit a blue-green light that illuminates the cave walls and creates an atmosphere that could be straight out of a fairytale!

Take time to explore the caves; you can take a guided tour which typically lasts an hour and allows you to get up close and personal with the glowworms as well as learn about the history and geology of the caves.

For the adrenaline junkies amongst us, Waitomo Caves is also home to underground river and waterfalls, offering insane black water rafting experiences! For more information on the Waitomo Caves, check out the Waikato portion of my New Zealand itinerary.

Raglan

Distance from Auckland CBD: 2 hours

Surfs up!

A laid-back coastal town located on the west coast of the North Island, Raglan is a surfer’s paradise.

Whether you’re a surfer, an artist, a foodie, or just someone looking to relax and soak up the atmosphere, Raglan has something for everyone.

Stroll down Bow Street and stop for a bite to eat at one of the many cafes, bars and restaurants offering local food and craft beer.

If you’re a nature enthusiastic, you’ll love a trip to Wairēinga/Bridal Veil Falls. Located along the Pakoka River, the 55m high Waterfall is an epic sight (I’m there pictured above!). To get there, it’s an easy walk through native forest (about 10 minutes!) and there is a great section of track designed for wheelchair and pushchair use. At the end of the track, you’ll be rewarded with epic waterfall views.

Hobbiton

Distance from Auckland CBD: 2 hours

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be an avid fan of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to love Hobbiton!

The movie set, built on a working sheep farm, showcases the idyllic Shire, home to Frodo and Bilbo Baggins. The attention to detail is phenomenal.

You can take a guided tour of the set, which includes a visit to Bag End, the party tree and a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. The tour includes behind-the-scenes information about the making of the movies, as well as plenty of opportunities for photos.

If you’re looking to splash the cash theres a nighttime tour with lanterns and a banquet feast at the Green Dragon Inn, which serves up hearty pub grub and locally brewed beer.

I loved Hobbiton, even though I wasn’t a die-hard fan of the LoTR trilogy or The Hobbit when I went and would recommend it as a must-visit destination for anyone wanted to add a bit of magic into their New Zealand itinerary.

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