Waioneke Muriwai sea cave, S O U West Auckland A B T C D E F G H Makarau DISCOVER 1 H E South Head A D Golf Course Omeru Falls R D Shelly Beach K A Camping I P Shelly Ground A R A E Beach N West I 2 L 1 16 C O A D RD S T N H A BEAC HELLY L S K H C W Kaipara U K Y Auckland 2 A A Coast I PA Sculpture R H NORTH A Gardens T roaring waves Tāmaki ki te Uru Oyster Point R O L N A Lake Kereta K West Auckland © Todd Eyre W E Kanohi W UNTAMED BEACHES IL S O WOODHILL N R R D Kaipara FOREST D Harbour HAURAKI Lake GULF & Karaka Kaukapakapa Muriwai Beach, West Auckland ISLANDS Opahekeheke Te Korowai-o-Te-Tonga Peninsula Island Kawau Waikauri Parua Nature Island Inlet trung like black pearls, the wildly beautiful beaches that line the D I R Te Taiao OK S IT coast are what the region is best known for. Wandering along the WEST O WA UTH HE 3 AD black sand (shoes may be necessary on hot days) and splashing RD S coastal gems KA around in shallow surf are quintessential summer experiences in this HI AT RD Waitoki Lake 1 K ATEA FL EXPLORE NATURE CENTRAL Poutoa Punganui neck of the woods. The big surf here is powerful and spectacular, but Helensville Golf Course Parkhurst New Zealand 16 Loch Skydiving P only experienced surfers should attempt to ride it. Swimmers Norrie E KA A HIKATEA F School K LAT RD must always swim between the red and yellow flags. T R the wild west coast e D here are coastal gems PIHA’S O P Lake ARK n HURST 4 BEST e Ngakaru RD EAST o Parakai n Springs all over West Auckland, EXPLORE NATURAL TREASURES e LION ROCK Parakai Springs R Camping Ground IR BEACHES a EL and these are best n Lake A g 7 ND his spectacular region is bordered by native rainforest, a Piripoua WHATIPU TE HENGA (BETHELLS) Sitting majestically between t R T ir Parakai a WOODHILL D explored on walks ranging B Piha and North Piha beaches surf beaches and a stunning coastline. There is loads on e FOREST Whatipu is windswept, moody More sheltered than some a c from clifftop tracks high h B 4 LACK R watching over the thundering D B IDG and memorable. Swimming isn’t of the other west coast offer, from fantastic wineries where you can wine and R above long stretches of black E surf, Lion Rock is an iconic sight. SOUTH K T A advised, but with vast dunes, beaches, this spot makes sand to boardwalks through dine and high-energy activities such as surfing and mountain E P Te Pua Helensville R A steep track leads you to a high OAD caves and historic Māori sites, for a great day out with suburban mangroves. biking to secluded black-sand beaches and brilliant coastal point for breathtaking views of 16 there’s still plenty to explore. its surf beach and lagoon W walks. For the creative amongst us, this arty region is packed I the coastline. S H A Access is via an unsealed road. (swimming in the lagoon is not Auckland R with galleries waiting to be discovered. You’ll also find a T R O TE HENGA AD recommended). There’s also plethora of fun activities to keep the kids entertained. ANAWHATA KAREKARE huge sand dunes at nearby WALKWAY Auckland Regional Map O RIVERHEAD Dramatic Karekare has Lake Wainamu to explore. BEACH TRACK LD N FOREST O RT One of the AA’s 101 Must-Do’s H For beauty and solitude, take D inspired many filmmakers and WOODHILL R GOOD TO KNOW D R 5 FOREST for Kiwis, this walkway runs was most notably used in Jane MURIWAI the turn-off before Piha and K A E between Te Henga (Bethells) P Campion’s The Piano. With strong surf pounding take a 20-minute walk from the CENTRAL AUCKLAND EAST AUCKLAND • Much of West Auckland is rural and remote so hiring a car is Wharepapa D and Muriwai and takes in N Y R car park to Anawhata Beach. LE AL onto a long expanse of black Home to world-class cuisine, From golden beaches and highly recommended. V U rugged cliffs, lagoons, amazing The track down to the beach IM 0 2.5km 5km R A sand, Muriwai is popular excellent theatres, galleries and secluded regional parks to superb • Guided tours are also top notch and generally leave central R A PIHA sand dunes and brilliant views can be steep in places but you’ll O museums, outstanding events and food and living museums, East Auckland to explore beaches, wineries and galleries. D LD RD with walkers, swimmers and R NORTH This popular beach has some of the pounding surf. be rewarded with a beautifully Woodhill R 8 a diverse range of fun attractions. Auckland appeals to all. Woodhill O Waikoukou experienced surfers. Horse • The Waitākere Ranges Regional Park saturates the western Mountain L of the best surf in Auckland. rugged beach minus the crowds. Bike Park ESTALL RD Y Valley R A T Y P O region with native forest, over 250km of walking tracks and E I L riding and surf lessons are Piha Beach, L NE D Take a surf lesson or explore L TO 16 A N NO V E RTH West Auckland U RD Riverhead waterfalls. O available too. Check out the K NORTH AUCKLAND WEST AUCKLAND U the rocky edges, and refuel at Reweti O IK R Y OTHER A D W • Kauri trees are some of the world’s largest but they’re under 6 W H accessible mainland gannet Stunning white-sand beaches, Bordered by native rainforest Tasman Sea RD the Piha Café afterwards. NTH AUCKLA RD ND LINE D A WALKS threat from an untreatable Kauri Dieback Disease. A beachside suburbs with buzzing and a stunning wild coastline, E colony at its southern end. F H O A H S R Waimauku O R T D Huapai A E E 16 E dining scenes and a flourishing creative West Auckland is home to • V R A number of tracks in the Waitākere Ranges have been closed H D I R E R R R T V M N I D R RD I R Huapai u G G O wine region. Auckland’s oldest wine region. to help prevent the spread of Kauri Dieback Disease. Check r MURIWAI I Golf Course i T w - • OPANUKU STREAM A Although beautiful, these a REGIONAL i T Kumeu H E D L D D S T PARK R D what’s open at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/protectkauri. R R L R I PATH R O V I D R E N S A STE R R beaches are dangerous – FO E E K D B A IW A T T L e D AI • R W Surfers love the powerful waves at Bethells Beach and Muriwai, A W O • ŌRĀTIA STREAM LOOP a R U A c O SOUTH AUCKLAND HAURAKI GULF & ISLANDS M C only swim when h Lake A but swimming is not advised due to unpredictable rips. AW • MANUTEWHAU 4 Paekawau T L A multicultural melting pot where Peppered with beautiful, D lifeguards are on O P R WALKWAY Okiritoto O O Muriwai H M Falls C culture, vibrant markets, gorgeous distinctive islands where you S O duty and only 7 7 Valley NA RD • HENDERSON CREEK © The New Zealand Automobile Association Incorporated 2019. All rights reserved. Toroanui gardens, adventure and fun family can sip fine wine, enjoy scenic D F between the red LOOP R N Falls R I I X E A Published in November 2019 by AA Tourism Publishing. E O D Lake W D attractions combine. seclusion and climb a volcano. I R R R R HA M N NO Okaihau N E • TE ATATU PENINSULA U HA E and yellow flags. T K T. 09 966 8720 • E. [email protected] M R A A E R Y Joins map on reverse T IK WALKWAY D L A A O T FRONT COVER IMAGE: Gannet colony, Muriwai, West Auckland © Luke Thurlby I W R Muriwai, West Auckland A W Muriwai Gannet Colony, West Auckland © Pete Gomez Adventure 8 map ref F6 Te Uru is a regional gallery that He Whai Mātātoa Official Visitor Map operates from an award-winning FREE building in Titirangi village, gateway the best of to the Waitākere rain forest and West Auckland 2019/20 © AWOL Canyoning Auckland’s famous West Coast the west Adventures, get active Te Mahere Manuhiri mō beaches. Step inside for extraordinary West Auckland aucklandnz.com/visit exhibitions, exceptional architecture Tāmaki ki te Uru and spectacular views. ADVENTURE OUT WEST 420 Titirangi Rd, Titirangi, Auckland Monday-Sunday 10am to 4.30pm Closed Christmas Day, Easter Friday, ANZAC morning Free entry | teuru.org.nz Piha Beach, West Auckland © Luke Thurlby 4 © Skydive map ref H10 Auckland, Parakai, West Auckland A Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School Initiative. BACKWATER CRUISES Amble up the Upper Harbour SECRET SPOTS from central Auckland aboard a LAKE WAINAMU, ferry bound for The Riverhead, TE HENGA/BETHELLS one of New Zealand’s oldest BEACH taverns. Following the path of ancient Māori, arrive for lunch Last Sunday of the Month after 90 scenic minutes on the This is a hidden gem unknown water. even to most Aucklanders.