About the Waitakere Ranges
The Waitakere Ranges is one of Auckland’s natural treasures – and one of New Zealand’s national treasures. It’s a place that offers a doorway to another world just 40 minutes from Auckland city, and one that will be a highlight for any visitor.
Different people will experience the Waitakere Ranges in different ways. Due to its immense diversity, there truly is something for everyone. You may find it amongst the rainforests, or on the dramatic coastline, or perhaps along the black sand surf beaches. You might be taken by the mainland gannet colony on Muriwai Beach that is home to countless numbers of these birds from September to April, or perhaps spot some of NZ’s native birdlife in the rainforests and coastlines.
Our Auckland day tours to the Waitakere Ranges will introduce you to the wonderful conservation program in the area, which is called Ark in the Park, and exists to restore the area’s ecology to its natural state by controlling the non-native pests and predators. Ark in the Park is a joint program by the Auckland Council and Forest and Bird, but it also relies heavily on help from countless volunteers each year.
When you arrive, you’ll see just why it’s so important that everyone works to conserve such a stunning slice of New Zealand. Just a few of the native plants include the iconic silver ferns (and many other fern species), towering kauri trees, and beautiful nikau palms. The Arataki Visitor Centre offers both a great panoramic view of the area as well as plenty of information on the ranges that will only improve your Auckland nature tour experience.
The Waitakere Ranges aren’t just a tourist attraction, however, as this area is a playground for locals, too. There are more than 250 kilometres of walking track amongst the 16,000 hectares of rainforest and coastline, all brimming with diverse fauna and birdlife. It’s easy to see why many city dwellers escape to this endless hiking track on weekends and holidays.
The waterfalls alone are reason enough to venture into the ranges. Several of the walking tracks feature a rushing cascade as a highlight of the loop or trail, with the Kitekite Falls and Fairy Falls just two of these gorgeous attractions.
Even beach lovers will adore the Waitakere Ranges, as some of the most exquisite and renowned shores are found within this area. Piha is arguably New Zealand’s most famous surfing beach, while Te Henga (more commonly known as Bethells Beach) offers a picturesque shoreline scattered with sand dunes and the ever-popular Lake Wainamu as a calm swimming spot.
Day tours from Auckland are the perfect way to see the ‘Waitaks’, as they give you plenty of time to wander through the greenery, stop for a snack or picnic at a beautiful viewing point, and take plenty of photos along the way.
For nature at its best it’s hard to pass by the Waitakere Ranges.
The Waitakere Ranges is one of Auckland’s natural treasures – and one of New Zealand’s national treasures. It’s a place that offers a doorway to another world just 40 minutes from Auckland city, and one that will be a highlight for any visitor.
Different people will experience the Waitakere Ranges in different ways. Due to its immense diversity, there truly is something for everyone. You may find it amongst the rainforests, or on the dramatic coastline, or perhaps along the black sand surf beaches. You might be taken by the mainland gannet colony on Muriwai Beach that is home to countless numbers of these birds from September to April, or perhaps spot some of NZ’s native birdlife in the rainforests and coastlines.
Our Auckland day tours to the Waitakere Ranges will introduce you to the wonderful conservation program in the area, which is called Ark in the Park, and exists to restore the area’s ecology to its natural state by controlling the non-native pests and predators. Ark in the Park is a joint program by the Auckland Council and Forest and Bird, but it also relies heavily on help from countless volunteers each year.
When you arrive, you’ll see just why it’s so important that everyone works to conserve such a stunning slice of New Zealand. Just a few of the native plants include the iconic silver ferns (and many other fern species), towering kauri trees, and beautiful nikau palms. The Arataki Visitor Centre offers both a great panoramic view of the area as well as plenty of information on the ranges that will only improve your Auckland nature tour experience.
The Waitakere Ranges aren’t just a tourist attraction, however, as this area is a playground for locals, too. There are more than 250 kilometres of walking track amongst the 16,000 hectares of rainforest and coastline, all brimming with diverse fauna and birdlife. It’s easy to see why many city dwellers escape to this endless hiking track on weekends and holidays.
The waterfalls alone are reason enough to venture into the ranges. Several of the walking tracks feature a rushing cascade as a highlight of the loop or trail, with the Kitekite Falls and Fairy Falls just two of these gorgeous attractions.
Even beach lovers will adore the Waitakere Ranges, as some of the most exquisite and renowned shores are found within this area. Piha is arguably New Zealand’s most famous surfing beach, while Te Henga (more commonly known as Bethells Beach) offers a picturesque shoreline scattered with sand dunes and the ever-popular Lake Wainamu as a calm swimming spot.
Day tours from Auckland are the perfect way to see the ‘Waitaks’, as they give you plenty of time to wander through the greenery, stop for a snack or picnic at a beautiful viewing point, and take plenty of photos along the way.
For nature at its best it’s hard to pass by the Waitakere Ranges.
Bethells beach in the Waitakere Ranges
The Grey Warbler (Riroriro)
One of New Zealand's best loved birds
One of New Zealand's best loved birds
