13 beautiful walks close to Auckland not to miss
Last updated on July 24th, 2026 at 02:24 pm
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The variety of scenery on these thirteen walks in the outer Auckland area will give you a great taste of what NZ has to offer – forest, farmland, calm beaches, wild beaches, waterfalls and wine! this post gives you a description of each walk, the AllTrails map for the walk and directions to the start of the walks. I also answer your questions and give you some handy tips for walking in the area – and NZ.
These walks go hand in hand with my 12 best walks in Auckland city – so if you live in the city or are landing in the city soon, start walking through both these lists!
Note: All the walks are within 1hour 30mins drive from the Auckland CBD (assuming no traffic issues)!
Contents
- Tawharanui Regional Park
- Wenderholm Regional Park
- Alice Eaves Reserve and Ōrewa Beachfront Path
- Shakespear Regional Park
- Long Bay Okura Track
- Muriwai Maukatia Gannet Walk
- KiteKite Falls Track
- Karekare Falls Track and Zion Hill Track
- Lion Rock Track
- Mercer Bay Loop
- Omanawanui Track
- Waiheke Island Walks
- Hunua Falls Track
Frequently Asked Questions about walks around Auckland
Tips for walks around Auckland
Trip Planning Checklist
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All in one – if you want to book flights and accommodation as a package, use expedia
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel, Hostelworld – I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator or GetYourGuide, and in NZ always check Bookme as it has good discounts on many attractions.
A top pick for walks in the Auckland area is this Private Piha Beach, Kitekite Falls Rainforest Adventure & Mt. Eden with Guide.
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13 great walks near Auckland
Before I get into the 13 walks, there are a few quick things to note:
I do always recommend you get the AllTrails app and download walks before you set off when walking or hiking in New Zealand. And of course take water and dress for the weather!
Do check out my post on walks in Auckland city as well!
Okay – lets get walking, so from north to south (kind of) try these trails for some wonderful views and northern scenery…..
1. Tawharanui Regional Park
Distance and Time: 1-9km, 20 mins – 4 hours
AllTrails Maps: West End track / South Coast and North Coast Loop
This is an absolute favorite of mine so I’m starting with it. It is the most northern of these ‘close to Auckland’ walks I’m going to write about.
Tawharanui is not only a lovely walking spot, or a lovely beach and picnic spot – it is a kiwi sanctuary. When you drive in you have to pass through kiwi-safe fences and gates. You can also camp or stay in a bach (holiday house) here and listen and look for the kiwis at night – absolutely perfect!
There are four white sandy beaches along the north coast. The main beach is Anchor Bay which is about 360 metres of white sand and an easy walk from the main car park. There are plenty of other walking tracks from a 20 min 1 km walk to a 4 hour 9 km walk. All the walks are lovely, but, I really like the West End track – a loop from the beach, and the longer South Coast and North Coast Loop.
The map below shows the options and the walks are all on AllTrails – you’re going to be in spots like in the feature picture above.
Get directions to Tawharanui Regional Park
2. Wenderholm Regional Park
Distance and Time: 1.7-6.5km, 30 mins – 3 hours
AllTrails Maps: Perimeter Track / Te Akeake Walk
This is a park you can walk, swim and camp at! The park has a lovely estuary one side, beach the other and a forested headland. Walks range from 20 minutes to 2.5 hours and the mix is great. Join a couple of the trails up for a longer walk. My favorite is to join the Perimeter Track and the Te Akeake Walk to give me a 3 hour (going slow) 6.5 km walk. Even on a rainy day its beautiful! All the walks are on AllTrails.
Get directions to Wenderholm Regional Park
Tip: If you want to say you’ve walked a little bit of the Aotea track (the long distance 5-6 month track that goes from top to bottom of NZ) then this is the place to do it – a little portion goes through this park!
3. Alice Eaves Reserve and Ōrewa Beachfront Path
Distance and Time: Alice Eaves – 1km, 25 mins
Distance and Time: Ōrewa Beachfront – 6km, 1 hour
AllTrails Map: Alice Eaves
AllTrails Map: Ōrewa Beachfront Path
Two for the price of one! (I couldn’t choose so you got both as they are so close together.)
Alice Eaves is a small but absolutely beautiful reserve for a shorter 1km loop walk through a vibrantly green coastal kauri-broadleaf and nikau forest! It starts at 2 Old North Road in Ōrewa.
After this I like to walk along the Ōrewa Beachfront Path or along the beach itself – and have a swim. Perfect! The Beachfront path starts at the carpark by the estuary just over the bridge (on the Orewa side) of the Hibiscus Coast Highway and finishes at the Arundel Reserve. A longer alternative is the Orewa Loop walk – but I don’t recommend it as a lot of it is urban!
Get directions to Alice Eaves
4. Shakespear Regional Park
Distance and Time: 1- 4.8km, 15 mins – 2 hours (and more if you combine trails)
AllTrails Map: Tiritiri Track / all the tracks
this is another park with multiple walks as well as camping and a kiwi sanctuary! It also has a working farm, although slowly the farmland is being reforested. I love this one for a longer walk – but there are short ones too.
I like to start with the Tiritiri Track and combine it with the Heritage Trail, the Kanuka Track, and a short portion of the Lookout Track – giving a great morning or afternoon 7-8km, 3ish hr workout with the loveliest of views over Rangitoto and the other islands in the Hauraki Gulf! You can see all the tracks on AllTrails.
Get directions to Shakespear Regional Park
(but put Te Haruhi Bay into google maps for the Tiritiri Track).
5. Long Bay Okura Track
Distance and Time: 8.4km, 2.5 – 3 hours
AllTrails Map: Long Bay beach / loop walk
This is another coastal walk with those lovely coastal views. Much of it is across open farmland with little shade. There is regenerating bush in parts, but it will take time to grow to shade! You can walk down to Granny’s Bay and Pōhutukawa Bay on the way to the end at the Okura River mouth. You can walk back along the beaches – but ONLY at low tide. Check the tide tables first.
You can also do a shorter loop walk more through the bush – which I really like, and a walk along Long Bay beach.
Get directions to Long Bay.
6. Muriwai Maukatia Gannet Walk
Distance and Time: 1.3km, 25 mins
AllTrails Map: Muriwai Gannet Colony
Another personal favorite – for obvious reasons if you know me! There are literally thousands of gannets on this short walk in one of only a few onshore nesting sites in NZ. Aside from the gannets, the beach and ocean views across to Motutara Island are fantastic – and you can walk along Muriwai main beach for hours afterwards if you want. The walk to the birds is on AllTrails and you can keep walking along the beach as well.
Muriwai beach is not a safe swimming beach except on a very rare occasion – but you can get wet and watch the surfers in action!
7. KiteKite Falls Track
Distance and Time: 2.75km, 1hr
AllTrails Map: KiteKite Falls
A beautiful and must do walk from Auckland or Piha Beach. Native forest, streams and a gorgeous waterfall – made even more gorgeous by the fact you can swim beneath it. The track is here on AllTrails.
There are boardwalks / a gravel path most of the way but you do need to cross two streams so need some agility – or a walking stick! Don’t forget your togs (bathing suit)!
Get directions to KiteKite Falls
8. Karekare Falls Track and Zion Hill Track
Distance and Time: to the falls – 1.0km, 0.5hr
Distance and Time: to Zion Hill and tunnel – 8.5km, 2.5 – 3 hr
AllTrails Maps: The falls / Karekare to Tunnel Point via Zion Hill Track
Another lovely waterfall walk – also complete with a swimming hole is to the Karekare falls! Its a short walk and you can find the track on AllTrails. This is a very pretty 30-meter horsetail waterfall. Park at the beach carpark and bring something to swim in and towel.
Nearby is a more intense walk that starts from the same place and has great views – Karekare to Tunnel Point via Zion Hill Track! Its a loop walk – and I recommend you go up the hill first (get the hill work done early) – and back via the beach. This track has a great variety of scenery and views – including big kauri trees.
Unfortunately at the time of writing part of this track is closed – due to Kauri dieback disease. Do check if it has reopened before you go.
BUT you can still walk to the tunnel along the beach and to Zion Hill. You will see on this Zion Hill track on AllTrails. It is still definitely worth doing.
Get directions to Karekare beach carpark.
9. Lion Rock Track
AllTrails Map: Lion Rock
Lion Rock sits on the beach / in the sea in the middle of Piha Beach on the wild west coast of Auckland. This is now only half a track as the top portion had to be closed due to slips and safety. Still the short walk to about halfway still gives great views and is worth it – especially if you are visiting Kitekite Falls!
You can also do a brilliant tour from Auckland on this Private Piha Beach, Kitekite Falls Rainforest Adventure & Mt. Eden with Guide. It covers not only Piha Beach and walk 8 – the Mercer Bay Loop, but also Walk 6 – the Kitekite falls, and another walk in Auckland itself – Mt Eden volcano!
10. Mercer Bay loop
Distance and Time: 2.2km, 50 mins
AllTrails Map: Mercer Bay loop
Well, while you’re out at Piha there is also the excellent Mercer Bay loop which takes you up to Te Ahua headland for great views for miles along the west coast. It is also the site of an important Māori pā (fortified village) and there are plenty of info boards on the walk to tell you more about the area!
Notes:
- Its best to do the loop clockwise!
- Be careful around the sea cliffs as there is no barrier, and they drop over 200m to the rough seas below
An alternative, but harder, walk is the Comans Track and Mercer Bay Loop via Watchmans Road.
Get directions to the Mercer Bay loop
11. Omanawanui Track
Distance and Time: 7.7 km (return), 2 – 3 hours
AllTrails Map: Omanawanui Track
You drive along a bit of a narrow bumpy gravel road for a few kms to get to the Omanawanui Track – but its worth it! The walk itself is a mix of cliff top and bush – with lots of steps – lots and lots, but also lots of great views over the coastline. You walk from the car park up to Omanawanui Peak.
There is not much shade – bring plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen. I was glad of my hiking poles too! You can camp here at the Whatipu Campground – but need to make bookings in advance.
There is a second option to get to Omanawanui Peak, where you start from the Puriri Ridge carpark – check it out on AllTrails – or you can combine the two walks!
Get directions to the Omanawanui Track carpark – very near the Whatipu Campground.
12. Waiheke Island Walks
Distance and Time: Oneroa to Palm Beach – 4km, 1hr 20mins
Distance and Time: Matiatia to the Vineyards – 4.3km, 1hr 30mins
AllTrails Map: Various routes
Where do I even start? There are plenty of walks on Waiheke – including a 5 day loop track right around the island. Start with a ferry ride from Auckland’s CBD and head towards bush, views, vineyards, and beaches all one one smallish island!
There are plenty of walks shorter than the 5 day loop. Lots of them are on AllTrails here. However, my favourite is the Palm Beach to Oneroa walk. It meanders through trails, bush reserves, and quiet streets taking in all the bays and coves between the two ends. Of course you can swim as you go! Get buses or a taxi from the ferry terminal to either beach to start.
But if you like your wine, then I would try the walk from Matiatia (the ferry terminal where you arrive) to the Vineyards via the Coastal Track. Firstly it gives lovely views from the headlands over other gulf islands to Auckland, and of course, maybe more importantly, the finale is arriving at the vineyards – Cable Bay vineyard, Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant, and Jurassic Ridge winery. Get a bus or taxi back to the ferry. Can you go wrong?
Get directions on google maps – Palm Beach to Oneroa
13. Hunua Falls Track
Distance and Time: Falls Track – 800m, 15mins
Distance and Time: Hunua Suspension Bridge Track 3.9km, 1hr 15mins
AllTrails Map: Hunua Falls Track
AllTrails Map: Suspension Bridge Track
The Hunua Falls Track is a loop walk and is one of the easiest walks with the most reward around Auckland. The track takes you over the river into bush and gives you views of the gorgeous waterfall from all angles. Easy peasy and pretty!
If you are at Hunua Falls, you can add on another walk to your day – the longer Suspension Bridge Track. Its only about 15 mins drive from the falls, and takes you (surprise) over a suspension bridge crossing the Wairoa Stream, through native bush to a lookout that is no longer a lookout. Well, trees do grow and someone hadn’t planned for that!! But, it is a nice bushwalk if you want a bit more than the short Hunua Falls Walk!
Frequently Asked Questions about walks around Auckland
Q: Can I get to these hikes without a car?
A: Yes and no – a few like Orewa Beach are accessible by bus, but to get to most of these walks it is going to be hard without a car. My post on walks in Auckland city gives you some great options that you can get to with public transport.
Q: Where can I walk in native New Zealand rainforest near Auckland?
A: The Waitākere Ranges and Hunua Ranges are the most accessible large areas of forest. Alice Eaves is a small pocket of lovely nikau forest.
Q: What are the best day walks within an hour of Auckland?
A: See above for my hand picked list, but any walk in these areas – Waitākere Ranges, Hunua Ranges, Shakespeare Regional Park, Tawharanui Regional Park, and Long Bay Regional Park
Q: Where can I see waterfalls near Auckland?
A: Hunua Falls, Karekare Falls and KiteKite Falls are two beautiful bigger falls. KiteKite has a swimming hole as well.
Q: What are the best black-sand beach walks near Auckland?
A: Piha Beach, Karekare Beach, and Muriwai Beach
Q: Where can I see gannets near Auckland?
A: Muriwai Beach!
Q: What are the most underrated walks near Auckland?
A: Probably the Mercer Bay Loop Walk, Ōmanawanui Track, and Wenderholm Regional Park
Q: What’s the weather like in Auckland?
A: Basically mixed! Summer is warmer averaging at 22–24°C (71–75°F) but often up to the low 30s°C. note that the sun can be very strong. NZ has a hole in the ozone layer so don’t be fooled by temperatures or clouds in the sky – the sun here burns, so bring sunblock and use it! Winter is coldest but never very cold with average daily highs around 12–16°C (53–61°F) and night-time lows between 6–8°C (43–46°F). Any time of year you can have rain or sunshine – bring clothes for both!
Tips for walks around Auckland
- Check if the track is open before you leave – some get closed because of kauri dieback disease.
- Even in winter take sunscreen and hat – the sun in New Zealand is much more brutal than you think – even on a cloudy day.
- The weather is very changeable – take clothes for rain and wind as well as sun! Even on sunny days take a waterproof rain jacket and extra top layer if you are going for more than an hour.
- If you are going on a coastal walk – check tide times e.g Te Henga Walk.
Where to stay in Auckland
You are best to stay in central or northern Auckland for these walks – most accommodation is going to be central and that makes it easy to go in any direction.
Higher end – the Park Hyatt Auckland, or, InterContinental Auckland By IHG
Mid range – Hotel DeBrett or Hotel Grand Chancellor or Horizon By SkyCity
Budget and Backpackers – for a lovely homestay try Kiwi Heritage Homestay. For backpackers the LyLo Auckland and JO&JOE Auckland are both top-rated!
Related Posts
The 12 best walks in Auckland City
Unusual and fun things to do in Auckland, New Zealand
The 12 best day walks in the North Island New Zealand (off the beaten path)
12 great multi-day hikes in the North Island New Zealand (off the beaten path)