Auckland Road Trip, East to West Coast - Puhoi, Matakana, Kawau Island, Titirangi & Goat Island

Auckland is New Zealand on a plate, where your New Zealand exploration begins

• Three wine trails within 30 minutes of the city
• Volcanic islands, marine reserves
• Polynesian vibe, Pasifika culture adds a cosmopolitan and dynamic appeal 
• Auckland farmers markets, shopping & galleries
• Outstanding regional parks where Aotearoa New Zealand’s native wildlife is on show
• Maori heritage is writ large on the landscape.

Tamaki Makaurau Auckland

Auckland is located in the upper part of the North Island, New Zealand. Being the largest city, and a gateway to New Zealand, visitors have a tendency to rush past Auckland in their desire to see the rest of the place.  

Slow down, don’t miss out #visitAuckland

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A village where the life of the Bohemian refugee (19th century) is celebrated. The settlement stories are documented with photographs, objects and memorabilia in the local museum while buildings and dray wagons are lovingly  preserved.

Kayak the Puhoi River past reminders of the importance of waterways being a crucial part of the transport networks in earlier times. Today kayakers enjoy exploring the Puhoi with a journey down the river finishing at the Wenderholm Regional Park and river estuary. 

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Puhoi is a great place to stock up the holiday foodie treats from Puhoi Cheese and Cafe Deli bar

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The sophisticated urban vibe of Matakana can feel as though you have not yet left Auckland. Matakana is a picturesque village developed around vineyard trails, public art gardens and a popular weekend market showcasing the best the region has to offer. Visitors could be waylaid into spending several days on the Matakana coast exploring.

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Kids deserve a ghetto ice cream helpfully situated on the main street. It’s rapidly becoming a Matakana institution.

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Diving and snorkeling buffs have Goat Island as a must-go destination. For visitors who want to keep their feet dry there is a glass boat excursion. For visitors short of time, roll up the pant cuffs and wander around the tidal rocks and observe the prolific outdoor aquarium. Superb explanatory information panels explain what you are looking at. 

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Outdoors focused holidays check out Amazing North Auckland Mahurangi Peninsula

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Let’s meet local experts who love showing visitors their neck of the woods, or in this case what’s underneath the ocean. Experienced divers join a Goat Island Guided Diving tour with a certified diver.

Join Goat Island Guided Snorkeling Tour for Beginners – Find out what’s beneath the waves – BOOK NOW

Experienced divers join Goat Island Guided Diving Tour for Certified Diver – BOOK NOW

The Goat Island NZ Glass Bottom Boat is a popular, fully commentated 45-minute tour showcasing the area’s abundant marine life, fauna, birds, reefs and caves. During the trip, guests learn about the history, preservation and protection of New Zealand’s first marine reserve

The Matakana coast is an ideal base to explore the region north of Auckland.

Tawharanui Regional Park is white sandy beaches overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. Farmland pastoral scenery, shingle beaches where low tide exposes pippi (shellfish) beds, native coastal bush and forest and regenerating wetlands.

Tawharanui Regional Park embraces the end of a peninsula that extends into the Pacific Ocean just north of Kawau Island. The long, sandy beach on the northern side is considered to be one of the best swimming and surfing venues in the Auckland region.

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“To create an open sanctuary where visitors can freely experience a representative range of natural communities that would have originally been present on the Tawharanui peninsula.”

Imagine a coastal landscape where wetlands and forests are regenerating, treasured species like kiwi, pāteke, bellbird, whitehead and robin thrive, sheep and cattle graze and everyone is welcome.

Kawau Island has plenty of things to do. Visit Kawau Island, discover historic Mansion House or take the Royal Mail Run cruise(kawaucruises.co.nz) from Sandspit for a great family day out near Matakana. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Royal Mail run cruise to the island as you drop off supplies and parcels
• Mansion House with its ornate Victorian splendour
• Walks around the island
• Lady Bay with its quiet sandy cove
• Coppermine relics
• Stay and relax into island time

The island is a perfect day trip from Mahurangi peninsula village of Sandspit.

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Continue north towards Wellsford. Your backdrop is rolling farmland and orchards supplying Auckland and beyond.  At Wellsford heritage buffs could include a visit to the Albertland Heritage Museum or spend time participating in a cultural experience at Te Hana Te Ao Marama Maori Cultural Centre.

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From Wellsford the route is now looping back to Auckland on State Highway 16. You are skirting the massive waterways of the Kaipara Harbour. New Zealand’s largest harbour system and one of the world’s largest as well. Your route offers spectacular views of the southern edge of the Notorious Kaipara Harbour. The Kaipara Harbour features as an Auckland day trip to Kaipara Harbour.

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Helensville tempts visitors to linger with an adrenaline laced skydiving adventure. For a small town, Helensville is home to two museums. The Helensville Museum houses a regional collection of memorabilia, photographs, objects and equipment telling the story of the district. The Helensville Railway Museum has a purpose built outdoor display of Helensville’s rail heritage. Managed by volunteers the museum is unusually open on Sunday. While the train station is no longer open the actual tracks continue to support Kiwirail freight trains. 

• Tree Adventures is an adrenaline adventure in the treetops or ziplining your way through the forest. 
• SkyDive Auckland is New Zealand’s best tandem dive operator. Ready to throw yourself out of a perfectly good plane? Redefine freedom and escape reality at Skydive Auckland with the highest tandem skydive in New Zealand at a thrilling 20,000ft.

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Urban vibe meets country charm, Kumeu is a great place for culture lovers or wine and foodie buffs with wineries and cellar door tastings. For art lovers, Art in the Vineyards is an annual summer favourite. Not to be missed is the cooperative supporting local artists, Kumeu Arts Centre. A superb starting place for visitors indulging in a culture and art exploration. And a weekend visit offers a chance to indulge in retail therapy at one of regional Auckland’s outstanding local markets.  

TOP SIGHTS, WHAT TO DO IN KUMEU

• Wine tours, including cellar door tastings and platter experiences
• Horse trekking on the nearby iron sand West Coast beaches
• Weekend markets where local artisan farm to plate vendors offer tantalizing treats for an impromptu picnic lunch

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Kumeu is an ideal base to spend a few days exploring the west coast, Muriwai, view baby gannets up close from well placed viewing platforms and Te Henga (Bethels) and Piha beaches. Muriwai with its gannet colony, Piha, where iron sands invite you to curl up your toes in the warmth of the glittering black sand.

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Titirangi – Auckland west coast artistic haven in the Waitākere Ranges. 

Following state highway 24 you are now on the last leg of your Auckland east and west coast explorer. The small village of Titirangi is a gem. The well-renowned Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery in Titirangi is a treat for lovers of art, contemporary installations and glorious art shops. There are stunning views of the ranges glimpsed from large picture windows. Gallery shop markets high calibre New Zealand artisan ware. The gallery specialises in contemporary art and design. There are numerous cafes and restaurants In Titirangi township. 

Visit McCahon House – Best Bits a New Zealand artist whose residence now supports emerging New Zealand talent. 

INTERESTING FACT NOTE AFFILIATE PARTNER STATEMENT

Parking is an issue in Titirangi during peak season due to the narrow winding hill roads. Follow road signs to additional car parks and be prepared to walk up steep slopes to the main street.