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Piha is by far the best day trip from Auckland, in winter or summer! This area is often overlooked by visitors but Piha is such a stunning part of the Auckland region. So much wild landscape that’s easy to get to from Auckland’s city center. Anyone who loves the outdoors will have an epic day in Piha. So many coastal walking trails, Forrests hikes, waterfalls, and Piha’s black sand beach. Keep reading because below I share everything you need to know about the best day trip from Auckland.
Where is Piha
Piha is located on New Zealand’s North Island and on the western coast of Auckland. From Auckland CBD it takes just over an hour’s drive to Piha Beach.
3 Ways to Get to Piha From Auckland
Hire a Car;
From Auckland CBD Piha Beach is around 40Km so depending on traffic it won’t take you much more than an hour to get there. Once you have left the city and driving through the Western suburbs, the area is so green and beautiful.
Hiring a car to get to Piha is a great option because not all the places I suggest visiting are within walking distance of each other. So, having your own car gives you heaps of freedom & flexibility.
Auckland is a big city so there’re so many car hire companies around, but I always find the best rates with JUCY Car Rentals.
Shuttle Bus or Public Transport;
Trippy’s Shuttle Bus Service will pick you up from Queen Street in Auckland city at 9 am and drop you at Piha for the day, then returning at 5 pm. Before they drop you off in Piha you’ll be given a little tiki tour around the area and they’ll point out any recommend sights. This is only $20 per person so very reasonably priced.
The public transport options from Auckland to Piha definitely aren’t ideal and not something I would recommend. The two options are to get a train to Swanson station then take a taxi, or get a bus to Henderson Interchange than a taxi. Those taxis rides would take around 30 minutes & would be really expensive.
Join a Tour;
If you’d prefer just to be chauffeured around and be taken on guided tours, that’s completely doable as well. Viator has heaps of (very reasonably priced) day tours of Piha and the Waitakere Rangers. Click below to check Viator out!
Things to do in Piha on a Day Trip From Auckland
My list of the most epic outdoor activities & attractions in Piha that you can’t miss.
MERCER BAY LOOP WALK
This walking track is reasonably easy and will take you about 1 hour. The scenery along the way is amazing, with so many incredible views of the coastline. Also, this is where you can get those awesome photos on the edge of the cliff. But be careful, I promise I wasn’t as close to the edge as what the photo makes it seem.
This track is obviously a “loop” walk, so no backtracking. If you’d rather walk down the hill as opposed to up, then start from the left side of the car park, the track entrance is just past the public toilets.
PIHA BEACH
Piha is a popular beach on the west coast of Auckland and is famous for its shiny black sand. It is also well known for how rough and dangerous the seas can get. I’ve visited Piha beach in winter and summer, in winter there aren’t any lifeguards and the water looked very wild. But in summer the beach was patrolled and it was so busy.
SURF PIHA
Whether you’re a pro surfer or need lessons, Piha beach is definitely a great place to give it a go, because the beach is massive and the waves can be huge. Always check the weather and surf report before you head out!
If you need surf lessons you can actually book a day trip that includes pick up and drop off from Auckland.
Click here for details on Viators ‘One Day Surf Lesson’.
CLIMB LIONS ROCK
Lions Rock sits on the black sand of Piha beach. I read it got its name from European explorers because from the south it looks like a Lion laying down. You can’t climb all the way to the top anymore due to rockfall making it too dangerous. And I think either way you should definitely be wearing the right footwear, as it wouldn’t be an easy walk.
However far up you make it, you’ll get some epic views out over the Tasman sea.
PIHA LOOKOUT
So if you wanted a safer way to see the views of Piha beach and the Tasman sea, pull over at the Piha lookout! The lookout is on Piha Road (so you’re going to drive past it anyway) and there a few car parks you can safely pull into.
KITEKITE FALLS
You couldn’t have a Piha day trip, all the way from Auckland, without exploring some waterfalls. Kitekite Falls are absolutely stunning, waterfalls & rock pools surrounded by lush rainforest, it’s such a Paradise. From the car park, it’s an easy 30-minute walk to the main waterfall. The track is really well signed and this walk is suitable for kids. The main waterfall is the tallest one, and if you keep walking up for another 10 minutes you’ll reach a quieter area with smaller waterfalls and rock pools.
Kitekite falls are very popular over summer. If you’re visiting during the school holidays I recommend going in the morning before all the big groups of families arrive.
HIKING IN WAITAKERE RANGES REGIONAL PARK
The Waitakere Rangers are about a 20-minute drive from Piha beach and is another awesome area to explore on a day trip from Auckland.
When you first arrive in the area a good place to start is the Arataki Visitor Centre. There are so many good views from here and heaps of information about the area and what walking tracks are currently open. Many of the tracks in the Waitakere Rangers park have been closed, this is in hopes of stopping the spread of a disease that’s killing their native Kauri Trees.
We found the staff in the visitors center really helpful when it came to deciding which walking track to do. My family and I did the Upper Nihotupu Walk and this was only about 40 minutes one way. It was so beautiful, the track took us through the beautiful rain forest, to the Nihotupu dam & past waterfalls.
If You Did Want to Spend The Night in Piha
A Piha day trip from Auckland is very doable, once you’re in the area all the above highlights are close by. And, if you’re not visiting during hot weather, you won’t need time to swim and sunbake, so you’d definitely have time to explore the best of Piha.
Although, it is a beautiful part of Auckland so if you have the time why not stay longer than a day! Below are a few hotels that are closest to Piha beach, links to booking.com.
So many tourists never make it to this part of Auckland and it’s such a shame because Piha is so stunning. And perfect for travelers who love the outdoors. Let me know in the comments below if I have now convinced you to explore the west coast of Auckland?
Thanks for reading,
Happy Travels.
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Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.
Never heard of Piha till I read this. New Zealand is such a fascinating country. So many beautiful places to explore. I would love to visit one day.
I’m so glad I could introduce you to Piha. It’s so beautiful there!
i have heard such great things about Piha, NZ. the whole country looks amazing, really, but this looks like a truly special & chill place… i am so inspired to visit after even just seeing your photos at Waitakere Rangers!
Yeah, it’s definitely a very chill area. So glad my article could inspire you
Waterfalls and hiking are some of my favorite things, so I would definitely love to go! Lion’s Rock is especially enticing – one day I’ll make it to New Zealand, and I’ll have this when I do 🙂
There is definitely a lot for you in New Zealand then, I’m excited for when you can finally come. Thanks for reading
I look forward to visiting some day! Such a beautiful place!
This definitely looks like the perfect place to visit if you love to be outdoors! I would really enjoy hiking to that big waterfall on a hot day and taking a quick dip in the water. Adding this area to my bucket list for when I visit New Zealand!
I will be in NZ December 21 / January 22 (fingers crossed). I have free days before, after, and between organised tours. I have added Piha to my list of places to visit. Hiring a car sounds like my best option. Live the photos.
That’s awesome Joanna, definitely check out Piha I’m sure you’ll love it
This looks AMAZING!! I could definitely use some of that Piha air right now!
Oooh Piha looks incredible! We totally missed that part of the Kiwi coast line when we visited, but it all lokks incredible, especially Piha Lookout and Kitekite Falls – any excuse to go tramping in NZ has my vote as a fantastic area to explore so thanks for sharing!