BUSH & BEACH WALKS

Beautiful walk into the splendid isolation of this valley of native rainforest. This is a great place to swim in summer (or in winter if you are really keen) Recently a history of the Kauri Tree Logging in the area has been presented with displays along the track.

  A pleasing easy walk at the top of the Piha Hill with views of the Tasman sea and the coastlines from 100 m vertical cliffs and a lighthouse. You can carry on from here down to Karekare Beach. Really keen explorers can also scramble down the steep track to Mercer Bay and discover the huge caves.

Very rewarding views to the beach from the steep hill just next to Piha Beachstay

 Location for the Oscar winning movie "The Piano". To the left (south) side of the beach is the Pohutakawa Glade walk. Continue south around the point toward Whatipu and explore the swamplands and the sand dunes south of the beach, Here you can access the Zion Hill track, Pararaha Valley and Tunnel camp area.

Spectacular beach that can only be reached by a 30 minutes walk. The track starts at the end of the Anawhata Rd, a gravel, narrow and winding road - so drive carefully.

Visit the Gannet Colony on this wild West coast beach. There is a cafe/store for lunch

On the way to Piha via the Scenic Drive. Well worth a visit with walking tracks and great views over the area. The centre has some interesting history and information about the Waitakere Ranges area.

 The Tasman View lookout is at the southern end of Piha Beach and has stunning views out to the Tasman sea.

A track leads you right in front of the Gap, spilling water into the Bluepools and the nearby Blowhole and 'Tennis Courts' When there is low tide you can walk back along the beach and discover the Keyhole and climb up onto Camel rock.

 This iconic island in the middle of the beach resembles a sitting lion. You can climb up it's back to get great views of the beach.

 Picturesque track along the Piha Stream to the former timber dam. The remains are traces of the intensive milling for kauri timber which finally stopped in 1921

Tramping half the way in the bush up Mt Zion and walking back through Pararaha Valley between the lakes and return along the beach. Interesting rock formations and a small tunnel

From Scenic Drive this walk offers variety with the dam and reservoir, many large Kauri and the historic tramline with tunnel. There is also a swimming hole nearby.

It's a remote beach that forms the north head of Manukau Habour. The road is narrow and windy and you have to cross a fjord. But it's worth to go there - there are a lot of beautiful things to see like the large cave that was once used for dances. Whatipu Caves Track. Open

Secluded unspoiled beach surrounded by steep cliffs. Starting at the North Piha beach walk past the caves and up the Laird Thomson track to a scenic lookout and then down to Whites beach. A loop track, choose to clamber down a steep rocky track and back up a more gentle incline. Great place for 'natrualist' sunbathing.

Wander up the stream to a narrow gorge with a coffin-shaped swimming hole. You can jump off a rock into the deep pool if you dare!

Start at the Marawhara Track entrance. 

Small hidden paradise just beside the road in Karekare. Walk up the Lone Kauri Road for a few minutes - it's on the left side. As you're walking to the waterfall you've got the chance to have a dip in the nearby refreshing Opal Pools.

Explore this remote West Coast beach, walk over the hill to O'Neills, explore the caves or walk over the big black sand dunes to Lake Wainamu

From the Scenic Drive carpark, explore the mature kauri forest, dramatic waterfalls and the views of Auckland City

From Piha Road and an easy 4km return. View the waterfall, reservoir and dam