Auckland: City Highlights and Native Forest Experience

Join a small group tour of Auckland and the Wild West Coast. See the city's top sights, including the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and the Waitakere Ranges. Walk through the rainforest, see the black sand beaches, and enjoy the views of the Tasman Sea.

Start your tour in Auckland and see the city's top sights, including the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and the Waitakere Ranges. Walk through the rainforest, see the black sand beaches, and enjoy the views of the Tasman Sea.

Travel through the city center, along the main streets and the stylish suburb of Ponsonby, known for its historic buildings, to view the Auckland Harbour Bridge lookout and drive past Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Continue by stretching the length of the Central Auckland easterly waterfront, the Tamaki Drive to see the stunning attractions and unspoiled scenery of the City of Sails with stops at the major Auckland city highlight spots.

Discover the significance of the dormant volcano Maungawhau (Mount Eden), which stands proudly above Auckland city. At the mountain summit, the highest geographical point in Auckland, views of the Manukau and Waitematā harbors, Rangitoto and beyond will take your breath away.

Spend the day walking and relaxing in New Zealand's Wild West coast while hearing the stories of the region. Leave behind the bustle of the city and step into the tranquility of the rainforest. The hills of the Waitakere's are remnants of ancient volcanoes.

Travel to the Arataki visitor center, an information center built high on the ridge of the Waitakere Ranges. From here you get breathtaking panoramic views across the rainforest to Auckland's two harbors and home to some traditional Māori carvings and your guide will talk about them and explain their significance for the area.

There are excellent pathways for you to walk around the Arataki center which gets you close to flora. The Waitakere Ranges is also where one of Auckland's major water supplies is located and is a perfect start to exploring the west coast. Continue to the lush rainforest where you walk the easy tracks among giant tree ferns and view New Zealand's famous kauri trees and silver ferns.

Stop at a stunning viewpoint overlooking Piha beach and the Tasman Sea before going down to the black sand beach. Marvel at the Lion Rock, Piha's most iconic landmark, and see the Māori carving. Lion Rock stands watching over the waves, sitting majestically between Piha and Little Piha Beaches.

Feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along Piha beach - one of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer and watch the surf waves rolling in. Piha is popular with experienced surfers, but it's also a wonderful spot for picnics, relaxing walks, and swims, under the watchful eye of the famous Piha Surf Club.