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One of the best things about Auckland, besides its vibrant cafés, beautiful Māori culture, and nightlife, is its location. As one of the biggest cities on North Island, Auckland serves as the ideal hub for travelers looking to settle down, while still being able to explore the beautiful country.
Within just one hour, you can reach some of the best spots New Zealand has to offer, ranging from stunning beaches to remote islands, all of which provide picturesque views and never-before-seen sights.
In this guide, I have picked out four of the best day trips from Auckland, all of which you can access via public transport, booking a tour, or renting/buying a camper van – (which is what I have done).
For my recommendation of cafes to try out during your time in Auckland, check out our guide to the five best cafes in Auckland CBD.
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1. Waiheke Island
Possibly one of the most popular day trips from Auckland, Waiheke Island is the ultimate luxury destination right on the doorstep. Within only 40 minutes from downtown Auckland Central Business District (CBD), you’ll arrive in what feels like paradise.
Known for its pristine beaches, vineyards, and art galleries, Waiheke Island has something to offer everyone, regardless of your budget. Whether you’re indulging in a wine-tasting tour, exploring coastal walking trails with breathtaking views, or savoring fresh, locally sourced cuisine at its boutique cafes and restaurants, Waiheke promises unforgettable experiences.
For adventure-seekers looking to explore the best activity-filled day trips from Auckland, you can find kayaking, zip-lining, and paddle boards available for hire on the island. For those of us who are wine lovers, you’ll want to make sure you dedicate a few hours for this scenic wine-tasting tour. The wineries of Waiheke are arguably some of the most picturesque in the world.
Getting to Waiheke Island
For foot passengers, you will need to buy a ferry ticket either online via Fullers360 or at the ferry terminal in downtown Auckland CBD. Ferries run every 30 minutes and cost NZD $59 per return ticket.
If you are planning on taking your car to the island, then you can book a car ferry via the SeaLink website for NZD $28 per one-way ticket, with an additional fee dependent on your type of vehicle.
Once you have arrived at the island, you might be wondering what the best way is to get around if you haven’t brought your own vehicle. There are a few options, such as the Waiheke bus service, hiring e-bikes to leisurely cruise around the island, or renting a car for the day.
2. Piha Beach
Venturing around 50 minutes north of Auckland, you’ll end up in Piha. Famous for its beautiful black sand beaches and rough surf, this scenic seaside town is 100% worth the visit. For anyone who has ever watched ‘The Wilds’ on Amazon, this is where the deserted island was set (and they were even filming something else while I was there!).
Due to the incredibly powerful waves, it is strongly advised not to attempt surfing here, and if you are going for a swim, exercise extreme caution. That being said, coming here to see the black sand is enough to warrant the trip. Photos don’t quite do this justice, because when you’re walking along the long stretch of beach the sand looks like it is shimmering in the sunlight – it is quite magical.
If you make your way across the North Parade, past Lion Rock, you’ll eventually reach the end of the beach and be greeted by lots of signs about penguin sightings! That’s right, Piha is home to the Kororā (Little Penguin), the smallest penguin in the world. Even though it is rare to see them on Piha Beach, sightings have been reported.
Getting to Piha beach
I’ll be honest, if you don’t have your own method of transportation then reaching Piha beach might be quite difficult, as there is no public transport all the way to Piha.
Instead, you can book a taxi or Uber directly from Auckland CBD for around NZD $63-85. However, it’s worth noting that Uber is unavailable from Piha, so either keep a hold of your driver’s contact details or look into local taxi companies such as Western Cabs.
If you’d prefer to avoid the hassle, I highly recommend visiting on this tour, which also takes you through the Waitakere Ranges and to Karekare waterfall.
Personally, if you’re on a budget I would highly recommend renting a car or campervan, as this also gives you the freedom to stay overnight before returning to Auckland, either at a campsite or freedom camping on the road leading out of Piha – check Park4Night for exact parking spots!
3. Rangitoto Island
If you’re a fan of hiking like me, then Rangitoto Island might be one of your favorite day trips from Auckland. Rangitoto is the youngest island in the Hauraki Gulf and the largest volcano formed in the Auckland volcanic field, and it has so many hiking trails for you to explore.
To reach the 260m summit, follow the Summit Track which takes you on a leisurely incline for around 1 hour before you are greeted with stunning views of Auckland and surrounding islands. On your way down, you have the option to visit the lava caves on the Eastern side of the summit, which were left behind from the passage of active liquid lava. Bear in mind, the caves are pitch black so try to bring a headtorch with you.
If you’re not tight on time, I would recommend taking the trail toward McKenzie Bay on your way down from the summit. Although this walk takes a lot longer (around 2 and a half hours), you’ll be able to take photos of Rangitoto’s famous lighthouse, as well as have a dip in the sea to cool off from a long day of hiking. As there are no cafes or shops on the Island, make sure to pack a lunch and lots of water beforehand.
Getting to Rangitoto Island
To get to Rangitoto, you’ll need to take a ferry from downtown Auckland CBD. You can book a ferry online via Fullers360 for NZD $58 per return ticket. The journey takes around 25 minutes, and you can find the ferry timetable on the Fullers360 website.
Once you reach the island, make sure to check what time the final departure back to Auckland CBD is – otherwise you’re in for a very cold night on the volcano!
4. Devonport
Okay, so technically Devonport is actually in Auckland, however, if you don’t want to venture far then this is one of the best day trips from Auckland CBD, as it feels like a boutique seaside town rather than part of a major city.
After a 10-minute ferry journey, you’ll step into a charming village brimming with history, cafes, and beaches which may provide you with much needed respite from the urban bustle of Auckland city.
After a coffee, you can stroll along the waterfront until you reach Maungauika / North Head historic reserve where you can explore old bunker lookouts, large artillery positions, and military tunnels. Whilst you are soaking up the history of the place, you can also enjoy breathtaking 360 views of Auckland’s skyline and Rangitoto Island.
To continue the history tour, you can head down the summit to the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, which serves as The National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Afterward, satisfy your sweet tooth by paying a visit to Devonport Chocolates, where you can enjoy some sweet treats while watching the chocolatiers at work through a viewing window. This is also the perfect place to pick up some last-minute tasty souvenirs to take home (or enjoy for yourself).
Getting to Devonport
As Devonport is part of Auckland’s network, you can easily reach it via all modes of public transport. I highly recommend getting an AT Hop card upon your arrival in Auckland, as it lets you access all metro, buses, and ferries with a simple tap-on and tap-off system.
The fastest (and funnest) way to reach Devonport is by catching a ferry from downtown Auckland CBD, which departs every 30 minutes. Alternatively, it is possible to drive there and park up right on the waterfront to enjoy an ice cream from the comfort of your vehicle.
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