On the first day of our trip, we had just flown into Auckland the night before, and wanted to check…read moresomething off our bucket list right away. Going to a black sand beach ended up being super simple as this beach is located in Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and is only a 45 minutes drive from Auckland. What could be easier? The drive is beautiful and it was a straightforward find with the assistance of google maps.They have a nice visitor's parking area with well maintained toilets, information on hiking and local activities, and even a picnic area. The walk out to the beach was short and we enjoyed a rewarding coastline and soft smooth sand. We were there during the end of winter, so it was still pretty cold and windy but no less beautiful. It is a dog friendly spot and a lot of people were out flying kites and walking their furry buddies. It's a great location to spend a few hours or the better part of a day; and if you're traveling from a country where black sand beaches don't exist, it's an easy check off that must see list.

Beautiful rugged beach out West. I had my first visit here today; plenty of other people were also…read moreenjoying the sunny, summer public holiday. Families with their kites, pet dogs, a few surfers and one handful of people (adults and children) were having a model boat race down the water inlet - great idea! Looked like lots of fun! There were lifeguards on duty and they had flags set up to swim in between. Although I didn't see many people out in the water. All the West coast beaches are infamous for their tough swimming conditions. The beach has a nice long stretch of sand, gorgeous views and fresh, beautiful air. What more could you want?

Such a great little beach!! I came here when I had a Thursday off and spent almost three hours…read morelaying in the sun and cooling off in the water. The beach is small but not overly crowded, and there is even a dock in the water for kids (or adults haha). There is a grassy area right by the beach if you want to chill out in the shade for a while. That would be a great spot for a picnic! There is street parking available but no car park. This probably helps keep it not so crowded There are public bathrooms with showers to wash the sand off, but make sure to bring your own soap or hand sanitizer as the bathroom doesn't stock soap. Overall this is a great beach if you're looking to catch some sun - there isn't much shade on the beach but if you want some, head on to the grass. Make sure to bring your own water and snacks! It's based in a residential area so you won't have lots of food and drink options.

Since Pt Chev beach was re-sanded it's really become a gem of a city beach. It is great for a…read morepicnic date, a family adventure, or a good beach adventure for your pooch. Parking can be a bit difficult during the summer but there is also plenty of street parking before the Coyle Park car park. It's off-leash for dogs all the time during the winter and before 9am and after 7pm during the summer. The only real important thing to be mindful of is the tide. Pt Chev beach is incredibly tidal so if you rock up during low tide expecting to go for a swim it ain't gonna happen. Likewise, if you arrive expecting to go for a beach walk at high tide, it will prove nearly impossible. Otherwise, Pt Chev beach is one of those places that makes Auckland such a great city to live in.

I probably like Milford park more than the average punter because I grew up down the road…read more Throughout my childhood, I spent many a day at Milford Park climbing the trees, playing BYC and go home stay home. Trip down memory lane aside, Milford Park is still a great spot to bring the kiddies. There is a freshly painted, bright blue playground, toilets, BBQ pits AND the Beach is right next door. Not to mention in Summer there is frequently concerts or outdoor movie screenings. Oh, and for all those runners out there every Wednesday night there is a fun run that leaves from the Milford Cruising Club in the park and goes to Takapuna and back for only $7 ($3 for kids), free drink included!

I shouldn't review the park as high as I would prefer to keep this to myself - but better to be…read morehonest. A good little suburban park - good parking, safe kids playground, beach volleyball courts and the beach a hop and a skip away. The Creek provides a bit of action if the tide is in as the yachts and fisher boats trailing and out over the 4 hours of tide. Good takeouts and coffee close by in Milford and it is not surprising the number of people who get fish and chips from PJs (another secret) and eat them on the picnic tables worth a visit

Beautiful views all around. Wasn't too busy and that was probably due to the 25 or so minute walk…read morefrom the ferry terminal. Walk was easy and the scenery keep you occupied. The bench had a ton of shells everywhere and the water was too cold to get in. lol A few trees gave some shade and there were restrooms at the far end from where I came in.

Despite its ever-increasing popularity, Cheltenham Beach is still one of my absolute Auckland…read morefavourites. The water's always deep enough for swimming (when I've been)and Rangitoto looming in the Hauraki Gulf seen from here is just stunning. I always look at the houses along this beach and think the inhabitants are some of the luckiest people on Earth - even if privacy is scant to non-existent. And yes, the parking is at a premium but generally people are leaving as well as arriving. There's a little playground at one end and a big restaurant and function centre in the middle that I believe has had a spruce-up fairly recently. You can climb up North Head from here if you're keen but I like it for less vigorous activities. Just beautiful.

This beach is rather short with not too much beach at high tide but it does has two saving graces;…read more 1) There is a great little park and playground at the south-eastern end complete with loos and an outdoor showers (of course!) 2) At the Northern end you can walk right the way round the rocks to Murrays Bay. It takes about 40mins and is a brilliant walk to do with four legged friends. TIP: Stop in at Paper Moon Cafe in Mairangi for a coffee or even better some Kapiti Icecream - delish!

A small though wide beach that looks across the ocean onto Rangitoto and has beach front property…read moreon the other side. You can access it from Huntly Road where there are public bathrooms and a cute playground for the kids. There are a few parks and not too far away a man-made wooden bridge that leads onto blue-y boulders and stone lined sand walkway down to the beach. At the end of the beach begins the concrete/stone walkway that goes onto Mairangi and Murray Bay. Lovely neat little beach

The drive that takes you around the coast of Maraetai is one of my favourites in all of Auckland…read more The road itself is a little bit dicey in places so do be careful, but it's so beautiful looking out onto the ocean as you drive dangerously close to the cliff. There are many places that you can stop at on the way and admire the view, or get out of the car and go for a swim in the clear water. There are usually a few people jumping off the end of the main wharf in the Summer time, and even some fishermen. I went fishing here once at night time and something huge surfaced just below the wharf and then disappeared. Possibly a whale or a dolphin, but it scared the shit out of us in the pitch darkness. It is known that the Maraetai area can be a bit dangerous at times, with thieves etc. so be aware of your stuff and your car.

The first white sand and blue water beach I have ever been to in New Zealand. I was used to the…read moreblack sand and stony beaches, they are all beautiful but I was wanting something different. The first time we went to Maraetai was when I was 13 and it was Christmas. Man I had the time of my life swimming with my family and friends and enjoyed a beautiful picnic. Now many years later I still love going to this beach and lounging around. Last time I was there my boyfriend and I sat by the rocks and enjoyed the sun. The fresh air at the beach plus the sound of the sea creates a romatic and relaxing setting.

I came here for a wedding and I was really stoked on the venue. It is modest but yet so amazing as…read moreit looks right over the water. There are balconies around the entire building so the guests can take in the fresh sea air and the beautiful view. I'd recommend checking the tides though so that your wedding lines up with high tide as it goes out quite a way. While we waited for the couple to arrive we went for a walk around the water on the beach. It's the perfect way to have a chilled out Kiwi wedding. We watched the sunset across the harbour while eating dinner by caterers the couple got in. It was a really beautiful setting; as good as you'll get really and for a fraction of the price. It's not a huge venue but would be perfect for a smaller wedding. At the end of the night they just cleared the tables and made way for a dance floor.

A couple of my friends have got married here, and while the view is absolutely fantastic, the venue…read moreitself isn't that great. Hold that thought, it's a great venue for a small wedding; a terrible venue for a not so small wedding. My friend's wedding wasn't the smallest so we were packed in, not comfortably either. Our table was right next to the bar so people seemed to be around us constantly, and my head kept smacking against the side of the bar where our table was. The best thing about the venue however are the balconies. They wrap right around one side over the beach. The sea smell is gorgeous and the views are stunning, especially when the sun starts to set. The whole place is surrounded by huge windows making it appear bigger than it is, and giving great light and views from everywhere. Fantastic photo ops, especially for selfies.

Having decided to try visiting this bird sanctuary on a lark (thanks folks, I'll be here all…read morenight), I was impressed enough with it. One visits by boat either from downtown Auckland (which I imagine is a scenic ride) or from a more remote peninsula near the island where the boat stops just before reaching it (which is nice if you want somewhere free to park for the day). The boat ride is most of the cost; for a small additional fee you get a guided tour lead by one of a remarkably large number of local volunteers. Why not? The guide leads you through the middle of the island with some narration, before finishing at a lighthouse and leaving you the second half of the day to roam alone. There weren't that many visible birds during New Zealand "winter"; you'd here more than you see. The island was once a farm before being purposefully replanted as a forest. Things grow fast here; it looks quite wild. Up to the point of reaching the light house, I'd probably have written a four star review. However, they buried the lead. Exploring alone yielded vast panoramic views of the entire region. The island is centrally located between the city and a variety of other islands. New Zealand's indigenous people are of Polynesian descent, and while you walk around here you might confuse the volcanic landscapes, abundant greenery, and clear turquoise water for a more archetypically Polynesian vacation spot. There are a few swimmable spots. It is a big enough island that there were significant areas of track that I did not see even after hustling around the coastline. Always leave 'em wanting more, the saying goes. If I had occasion to, I wouldn't mine going again, which having paid $60 to see an island that had no trees at the time I was born is something. Tips: *There were a ton of local schoolkids, but the guides kindly separated out kids and adults for the tour, and once you're off the boat, it really isn't an issue. *Adults get free tea and coffee at the end of the tour, but no food. There is literally nothing even to buy. Bring decent food. *A truck loads any bags you might want to leave at the wharf, and carries them to the lighthouse and back, meaning you do not need to carry what you bring while walking the island. *They are very concerned about biosecurity, so wear clean shoes and bring only closed, zippable bags. *Apparently the name means that it's a really windy island. Which it really is. Be ready for wild temperature differences based on wind and shade.

Seriously one of Auckland's greatest outdoor treasures. This pest-free island is a magical place…read morethat harkens back to the days before massive deforestation for farming, hunting, and introduction of pests shrank the population of New Zealand's birds. The bird songs you'll hear here are incredible! Amazing work has been done to reforest native plants and trees, and reintroduce rare birds on this island. You can see hihi (stitchbirds), saddlebacks, kakariki (red crowned parakeets), bellbirds, north island robin, heaps and heaps of tui, wood pigeon, little blue penguins, kokako (if you're lucky) and of course, my favorite - the takahē (a population of less than 300 exist in the world, and this is one of the few places you can see them in the wild - plus BABIES!) So worth paying the $70 to take the ferry out there. Pack your lunch and your sunscreen, bring your swimsuit and good hiking shoes, and get ready for an amazing day. The extra $5 for the guided tour is worth doing at least once. The guides are very knowledgable and will point out the birds and interesting plants and give you a history of the island. However, when we went the second time without the group, we saw heaps more birds, I think as we were separate from many of the larger (noisier) groups. I'm dying to stay overnight at the DOC hut and try to spot a kiwi! The huts are booked well in advance so you're gonna have to troll the website for an opening. Also be sure to book your trip well in advance as the ferry can book up during peak season, and you don't want to miss out!!