Choose from islands, beaches, or glowworm caves, within a two hour drive (or a ferry ride) from the centre of Auckland

Piha Beach and Lion's Rock viewed from above — *Piha*

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Auckland city sits on the narrowest point of New Zealand.

Sandwiched between two harbours, it's within easy reach of both east and west coasts. You can literally walk from one side of the country to the other.

No matter which direction you go, in less than two hours — traffic permitting —you can find yourself on a beach, a mountain, or even an island.

*In Auckland, you are never far from the water*

It’s also possible to do a lot of exploring without a car. I lived in Auckland for around two years before getting a campervan, so I got used to taking ferries to islands for weekend day trips (when I couldn’t convince anyone with a car to drive me).

The beautiful part of island day trips is not needing to contend with Auckland traffic; on Sundays especially, trying to get back into the city is a nightmare.

*The rugged west coast of Auckland is ideal for day trips*

Whether or not you’re equipped with a vehicle and a lot of patience, you can take some epic day trips from Auckland.

I personally think two hours is about the maximum you want to drive from Auckland for a one day trip. And that’s already pushing it — if you want to go to Hobbiton or Waitomo Caves in one day from Auckland, your best bet is to go on a tour.

So, these are some of my favourite spots to escape the city, within a couple of hours drive of the centre.

A quick note on getting around

Ferries aside, it’s nigh impossible to take day trips from Auckland on public transport. Renting a car makes life a lot easier (compare prices on DiscoverCars).

Otherwise, you’ll need to book a tour with a local operator. I recommend taking a look at Bush and Beach, an Auckland-based tour company specialising in small group tours.

Waiheke Island — the ideal day trip from Auckland if you don’t have a car

Waiheke Island is an easy day trip from Auckland, being only a 40 minute ferry ride from the central city. It’s also one of the best things you can do while visiting Auckland, no matter whether you’re looking for wine, sunshine, beaches, shopping, eating, or a combination of all of these things.

Ferries typically leave from downtown Auckland, which makes these trips nice and accessible if you’re staying close to the city centre.

The island is easy to navigate via public transport, and there are also the options of hiring e-bikes for the day or taking a wine tour.

If you catch the ferry across to Waiheke mid morning, you can plan to go for a couple of wine tastings and lunch at a vineyard.

Vineyards like Tantalus Estate and Te Motu are right on the bus route, and within walking distance to each other. Alternatively, you can keep things simple by booking a tour. I recommend going with Kiwi Connect, because they try and show you the scenic side of the island, as well as wineries. They also keep tours to small groups, in electric vans, unlike the larger operators on the island which will shepherd you onto buses.

*Man O War vineyard —* *Kiwi Connect will take you there on a ‘Far End’ tour*

Waiheke Island has some great places to eat, where you can sample some of the produce grown and harvested from the island itself — like fresh Waiheke oysters.

Following lunch, you can go for a stroll along one of the island’s beaches (Oneroa, Onetangi, and Palm Beach are all stunning) or walking trails, before getting some Island Gelato in Oneroa village and then making your way back to the city.

Or, if you want to stay for sunset, head to Mudrick for another glass of wine.

GETTING THERE: Waiheke is probably the easiest place to go from Auckland if you don’t have a car. Ferries leave frequently from the ferry terminal in down town Auckland.

I recommend taking the Island Direct over Fullers, as the boats are smaller and quieter.

Or, you can take a ferry straight to Man O War vineyard on Waiheke (just make lunch reservations first.

You can get around on public bus, or book a tour with Kiwi Connect.

Piha and the wild west coast

A path leads through the dunes to Lions Rock on Piha Beach — *Lions Rock rises up in the middle of Piha Beach*

The West Coast of Auckland is truly incredible.

Piha is located a 45 minute drive west of Auckland's city centre, along a road which climaxes in a view of Piha framed by bush-clad hills.

The view from Piha lookout — *The view of Piha as you drive down to the beach from the Waitakere Ranges*

Don’t let the proximity to New Zealand’s largest city fool you; once you start driving through the Waitakere Ranges, the roads narrow dramatically, rainforest rises up around you, and most signs of civilisation fade away.

Even the houses out west change, from regular suburbia to a mish mash of humble beach houses and off-grid abodes. Despite the popularity with day trippers, there’s a sense that Piha is the kind of place people end up when they want to hide from the world, with cottages tucked into the bush and pot holed roads feeling almost deliberately difficult to navigate.

That’s what makes heading out to Piha such a wonderful day trip; it feels truly transportive.

The Mercer Bay Loop track is a stellar walk, edging along the top of high cliffs which provide spectacular views of the coastline and the monster waves rolling in from the open sea.

There’s a small general store, a couple of restaurants, and ice cream served out of a converted shipping container. Beyond that, Piha is a wild place. Take your own snacks for a beach picnic, and enjoy strolling on the black sand.

If you have time, stay for sunset.

No car? Take a stunning rainforest and beach tour with Bush and Beach

Whatipu Beach and the Omanawanui Track

Steep steps descend to a black sand beach at Whatipu — *The steep steps of the Omanawanui Track*

If you’re drawn by the wildness of the west coast beaches and want to experience somewhere even more remote and rugged than Piha, another option is Whatipu Beach.

This is not a day trip for the faint hearted — the road to Whatipu narrows to one way and dwindles to gravel when it’s still 9 kilometres from the road end.

If you’re up for the adventure, though, the reward is a sweeping black sand beach and the superb Omanawanui Track. Starting from the Whatipu carpark means sweating and cursing your way up an almost absurd number of steps to reach the top, but the views along the way make it worth the while.

Just take plenty of water, as the track is fairly exposed to the sun and is fairly hard work.

Tiritiri Matangi Island — the perfect place to see some native birds

GETTING THERE: You can book return ferry tickets, just note the departure time — it’s 8.30am weekdays, 9am weekends from downtown Auckland.

It’s an 80 minute ferry ride from Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour

Another Auckland day trip you can do without a car is Tiritiri Matangi.

This island sanctuary is home to rare birds like kōkako, takahē, and tīeke.

There are a number of walking trails around the island, which lead to beaches, the lighthouse, and through native bush where you can spot birds.

The tracks range from 10 minutes to 2 hours, so you this day trip is accessible for seniors and families.

There’s also the option of going on a guided walk, which only costs $10. Book guided walks through Explore, when you buy your ferry ticket.

If you want to make this an overnight trip, you can also book a spot in the former lighthouse keeper’s cabin via the DOC website.

Rangitoto Summit hike

Location: 25 minute ferry from downtown Auckland

*Looking back at Auckland from Rangitoto*

Rangitoto Island is a fixture of the Auckland skyline. From almost anywhere in the city, if you look out to sea you’ll see the perfect cone of Rangitoto rising out of the harbour.

Climbing to the summit of Rangitoto is an easy Auckland day walk.

Catch the 25-minute Fullers ferry from Britomart ($53 return for an adult) and step onto the volcanic shores. The scrubby bush and porous black rocks give Rangitoto a wild and remote feel, despite being so close to Auckland.

The climb to the summit is gentle, and from the top you have incredible views across the lava fields and pōhutukawa forest out to the harbour and Auckland skyline.

Because this walk is quick and easy, you can add on a walk around the base of Rangitoto Island, even popping across the causeway to the adjacent Motutapu Island for a longer day out.

Walking around the base of Rangitoto you’ll quickly get away from the crowds headed to the summit, and it will feel much more like a deserted island.

I love the tiny retro baches tucked up against the volcano slopes .

Just make sure you’re back in time for the ferry. The last departure is usually 3.30pm or 4pm.

For something more than a day trip, but a little bit special, you could spend a night on Rangitoto in a historic bach (small holiday home). Check out this stunning listing on VRBO for a truly unique experience.

Rotoroa Island

Location: 75 minute ferry from downtown Auckland

Cost: $95 return

rotoroa island near auckland — *Photo via Rotoroa Island Trust*

Rotoroa Island in the Waitematā Harbour is one of my favourite day trip destinations from Auckland.

The gorgeous little island feels like magical escapism. There are takahe, one of New Zealand’s rarest birds, wandering around, gorgeous island walks, and one of Auckland’s best beaches.

The island is a wildlife sanctuary, and it’s a beautiful place to connect with nature.

As well as the walking trails, Rotoroa has some lovely beaches which are perfect for swimming.

Ladies Bay is a quiet, golden bay with calm and flat water. A gentle walking track leads from the wharf to Ladies Bay. Carry on and you can also visit Mens Bay, then Cable Bay on your return.

Explore Group runs a ferry from the Auckland central ferry terminal to Rotoroa Island. It takes around 75 minutes and costs $95 per adult return. Check out the timetable on the Explore website.

Brick Bay Wines and Sculpture Trail

Location: 1 hour north of Auckland

Brick Bay is a boutique vineyard and restaurant, set in a lush landscape in the Matakana Wine Region.

On the 200 acre property is a gorgeous sculpture trail which weaves through native bush.

Head to Brick Bay for wine tasting, lunch, and a walk around the sculpture trail.

The Glass House restaurant is cantilevered over a pretty lake, serving food that highlights the freshest seasonal produce. On weekends, make sure you book a lunch table in advance, as it’s a popular weekend destination from Auckland.

Diners get a discount on the Sculpture Trail — it’s $15 if you eat in the restaurant, or $18 per adult if you just want to go for the walk.

The Sculpture Trail takes around one hour to walk.

Brick Bay is open Monday to Friday 10am–4pm and Saturday to Sunday 10am–5pm.

Brick Bay produces Pinot Gris, Rose, Chardonnay, and a few other wines. A tasting is $8, including olive and oil and honey. If you buy a bottle of wine, the tasting fee is waived.

Puhoi

Location: 50 minutes north of Auckland.

Puhoi is a small village located on the banks of the Puhoi River.

The village centre is home to a gorgeous little library, a historic pub, and the Puhoi Cottage Tearooms, where you can enjoy classic scones with cream and jam in an idyllic setting.

Everything in Puhoi is quaint and adorable.

If you want to add more action to your day, you can rent kayaks and paddle down to the estuary at Wenderholm Regional Park.

Waipū

Location: 1 hour 50 minutes north of Auckland

Highlights: Free glowworm caves and beautiful beaches

Waipū is a small town just over 90 minutes north of Auckland. The surrounding area is great fun to explore on a day trip, with a mix of bush and beach.

The Waipū Caves are an awesome place to visit, and if you have a campervan you can even camp overnight here.

If you venture into the cave system you can see glowworms, as well as stalactites and stalagmites in impressive caverns.

The Waipū Caves Track, which starts close to the cave entrance, is a great short walk. It takes roughly 90 minutes to walk the four kilometre return track, through unique limestone rock formations and regenerating bush.

Head to Waipū Cove for a beautiful beach with stunning blue water.

Go for lunch at The Cove Cafe, directly opposite the idyllic Waipū Beach, or follow the Waipu Coastal Walkway is a track that traces the coastline around to the neighbouring Langs Beach.

The drive up to Waipu will take you through Kaiwaka — if you want a unique place to stop for lunch, I recommend the Eutopia Cafe. It’s a great cafe with Gaudi-esque decorations.

Worth stopping for a coffee just to experience it!

Mangawhai Heads

Location: 1 hour 45 minutes north of Auckland

Highlights: The Mangawhai Cliffs walkway and a white sand beach

Mangawhai Heads is a small coastal town where the main thing to do is hang out at the beach.

The beach is popular for surfing and it’s also a good spot for swimming. The water is bright blue and the sand a powdery white.

The Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway is an epic walk, with stunning views of the coastline. It takes around 2-3 hours and involves a steep climb to a lookout point before a gentler trail along the cliffs.

At low tide, you can walk back along the beach.

9. Goat Island and the Sawmill Brewery

Location: 1 hour 15 minutes north of Auckland

Highlights: A coastal walk, snorkelling, and an epic brewery

Goat Island Marine Reserve offers some of the best snorkelling near Auckland.

There’s also a great short walk, the Goat Island Walkway, which has lovely coastal views.

15 minutes from Goat Island is the Sawmill Brewery + Smoko Room. This independent, New Zealand owned operation is New Zealand's first and only B-Corp certified Brewery.

Stop by for a few beers in the sunshine, try a tasting flight, or just enjoy the cosy vibes of the brewery.

Or make a reservation for lunch or dinner at the Smoko Room restaurant.

The restaurants ingredients are ethically sourced, seasonal and mostly local — the cheeses, olive oil, seafood, beef, bread, olives, fruit and vegetables are largely sourced from the surrounding region.

10. Pakiri Beach

Location: 1 hour 40 minutes north of Auckland

Pakiri Beach is one of the best beaches in the Auckland region, making it a great destination for a day trip from the city.

Pakiri has all the hues typical of the east coast north of Auckland; a broad stripe of white sand in between cerulean water and the muted green of mature pohutukawas.

The gentle waves at Pakiri make this beach perfect for beginner surfers. It’s also a great spot for bird enthusiasts, as a breeding ground for endangered fairy terns and dotterels.

For a different perspective on the beach, you can take in Pakiri from horseback with Pakiri Beach Horse Rides.

11. Port Waikato

Location: 1 hour 10 minutes south of Auckland

Once a fishing port, now a quiet bach town, Port Waikato sits next to the broad delta where the Waikato River pours itself into the Tasman Sea.

Port Waikato is only 70 minutes out of Auckland, but it might as well be years.

Surrounded by acres of dunes and bordered by a vast black sand beach pounded by wild surf, Port Jackson has the windswept, remote feel of a place much further removed from civilization.

The liveliest spot in town is the wharf, which is often lined with people, rods in hand.

If you want to cast a line but forgot your fishing gear, no need to worry; the wharf store, which has been running since 1864, stocks fishing supplies alongside the typical dairy fare.

On clear evenings, take a front row seat at sunset beach and watch the sun drop into the sea before heading back to Auckland.

12. Raglan

Location: 2 hours south of Auckland on the West Coast

Raglan is one of my favourite destinations in the whole North Island.

It’s a little bit of a trek from Auckland, but it’s a great day out if you like surfing.

You can take surf lessons at Ngarunui Beach, or more experienced surfers can head to Manu Bay.

After a surf sesh, I love strolling around the shops in Raglan town, and stopping for a leisurely lunch at one of the local cafes.

You can also drop into a yoga session, get fish and chips from the wharf, or jump off the footbridge into the water at high tide.

13. Kawau Island

Croissant-shaped Kawau is the exotic island escape you’ve been dreaming of.

With no real roads, roaming wallabies and bright peacocks strutting through historic gardens, Kawau feels as if you’ve travelled further than an hour north of Auckland.

To get to Kawau, you need to drive to Sandspit Wharf near Warkworth, then hop on a ferry across to the island.

The main attraction on the island is Governor Grey’s Mansion House and park-like gardens. There are also several walks meandering through the Kawau Island Historic Reserve, including a track to a former Pā site and to the remains of a coppermine engine house built in 1854.