We only did a short walk, but really enjoyed it Lots of chooks etc, very friendly, some even eat our of your hand. Being there in autumn was perfect, nature at it's finest. Staff very friendly & helpful.

This place is enchanting. Amazing birds full of character, our two boys loved them (they climb on you so he prepared for that!) Cool Balinese style furniture and bits and pieces that make it feel like a big adventure. Two male peacocks and a bunch of females so they do they whole tail thing. Cool playground, charming parrots that talk. Incredible garden walk with exotic and local plants. It's really a gem and wish we'd known about this sooner!

We stopped at the bird garden after seeing the signpost on SH2. It was a great break from a long drive, whether you need coffee, drinks, food, or just a walk in a peaceful garden setting. Also, easy access from main road. For a small entry fee and only $2 for bird feed we roamed around the winding pathways and lovely gardens, with ducks, chickens, pigeons, doves, Guinea fowl and a couple of spectacular peacocks. All very used to people it seemed. The host was also very friendly and welcoming!

Very good stop for lovely gardens and birds and a cafe for scones and tea. Friendly staff, well laid out path, lots of photographic opportunities. Easy parking. Very reasonably priced. Great for kids. Botanical. Ornithological. Ponds. A few subtle sculptures.

Well kept paths and gardens and you can hire a golf cart if needed. Cute ponds dotted around and a good variety of healthy looking birds. You can buy small bags of bird feed and we saw lots of adorable chicks. The cafe is great and we enjoyed THE BEST Devonshire tea I’ve ever had in New Zealand. All staff are friendly and helpful. Would visit again.

This was the second visit to the bird Gardens, the first time was 5 years ago. The gardens are lovely to walk around and the kids enjoy feeding the ducks, geese and chickens. The peacocks were a delight and it was lovely to see the guinea fowl chasing each other through the meadow. The play area/fort has fallen into disrepair as has the once glorious rose garden but the newly hatched chick's distracted us from that. The whole place looks less tidy but the post covid years and the havoc Gabrielle brought could explain a lot. However, the bird enclosures are absolutely dire. Run down, neglected, rusty and empty cages house the magnificently colourful birds. The birds don't have any stimulation, no fruit, no vegetation, other than weeds on top of the enclosures to challenge them. Some cages are so hidden I doubt customers even know they are there. When we left there was no one on site. The parrot food is in larger hanging containers and I got the sense it gets filled up periodically. I may be wrong, the birds look healthy, no feathers missing etc but it was a pitiful sight to see. If I lived in the area I would volunteer to create a better habitat for the birds. I'm writing this in the hope the owners put some effort into the cages. So, would I go again? Nope! Too sad for me.

Not a lot of birds here… and I’m not convinced about the welfare of the birds in the cages (there is a dead parakeet on the ground) but the grounds are absolutely lovely, so I’m giving this five stars because it’s a lovely place to visit! Hopefully the bird gardens will continue to improve their facilities, perhaps adding the kind of cage that you can walk inside - and perhaps have more indigenous birds.

A wonderful holiday location at any time of year. A good choice of cafes, restaurants and shops. Blackies cafe behind the surf club is a favourite.There’s plenty to do - beach for swimming and walks, Wentworth Valley walk to the falls, a local gym, mountain biking, fishing or just relaxing.

My husband and I went to Whangamata Beach today 6/6/2024. The beach there was very peaceful and tranquil so we could enjoy our relaxing stroll along the beach. Even though the weather was not so good and chilly today, we still enjoyed our time there. We highly recommend you to visit there on a sunny day.

Looked a great and safe beach. Even though this place is relatively small had toilets and so many restaurants!

Great beach. Great walk. Take me to the Island (at low tide!!)

Excellent sandy beach. Midweek on a sunny November day, there were no crowds and no problem finding a parking spot. Also, a good cafe, Blackies, behind the surf club.

Voted best beach. Heaps of choices for safe swimming spots. Surf or flat. Long sandy beach walks close to an easy going main street with lots of great eateries and shopping opportunities. Friendly happy locals cos how can we not be happy living in paradise😁

This is a lovely beach. One local told me that this beach was voted the best in New Zealand last year. I have been to better beaches in NZ to be honest, but it's still lovely. The views are great and if you get to kayak out to the island then you should definitely include that in your trip.

Cheaper if you book with motel direct. We paid $42 extra booking travago website. The rooms are small and not laid out well. No armchairs and only bed to sit on apart from plastic dining chairs. Brown decor. That said it's very clean. Managers so friendly and helpful. Now we know what you get and at a better price we would book again.

Only stayed one night, pool closes early on colder days and spa was booked out. I only booked the place for my daughter to swim in the pool but even in the mornings pool not open only at 10am when checking out. So we had no chance at having a swim at all. Stayed in room one , toilet so noisy when flushing and bathroom very small had dirt in them when arrived and stove needs to be replaced. The soap and shampoo dispenser was not even working too they were full but not even working. There were ants all over the kitchen bench and by the fridge. The bed was the only best thing for me to be honest.

Practical with dated but fully serviceable rooms with all you need. Suitable for kids with pool and hot tub for adults. Good parking and no road noise when in back units and comfortable beds. Brilliant showers and water pressure. Lovely birdsong in mornings. Rail trail station is close by as well. Ideal place to spend a few days exploring all the area has to offer.

One tiny soap for 4 ladies body wash in shower did not work,bottom of shower not clean enough, but beds were very comfortable and covers were good,location good

The motel is run down and in need if maintenance. Door handles on kitchen broken net curtains decades old with holes and look grey with dust. Holes in blinds. Found last guests food in fridge and an unwashed microwave. No sound insulation between units. We had to ask for towels and teatowels when we arrived. On the plus side sheets and pillow cases were clean and fresh.

For 196 a night the only good thing i can say is the room was clean and so was the bathroom.10$ charge to use the hot tub....it says included In stay on website and in their booklet on arrival, all you need to do is book a time but when you get to reception you have to pay. It's $10 each time you book a time. I usually like to have one in the morning and night but at 10 each session. No thank you. Ive not read a single review so far thay says they were being charged to use spa. Was this only being charged to me if so im not happy at all.

One of the cleanest motels I have ever been in which is my No. 1 priority. Room slightly outdated, and have been done up very nicely, and I am very happy with the value received. Would not hesitate to stay there again. The staff very friendly and on the whole we had a great experience staying at the Pam Motel.

I’m so glad we did this! Kayaking with a bit of a history lesson — what a great combination. Our beautiful guide, Moanaroa, was informative and thorough in explaining the kayaking basics and making sure we were properly geared up and ready for our morning out at sea. A big thanks also to Hayden, who looked after our safety and shared fascinating historical insights with such enthusiasm. It was a fantastic way to spend our morning! Love the tea that was included on our rest stop. Highly recommend this experience.

We had an amazing time on the Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour with our guide, Jerard. He was friendly, experienced, and even had great photography skills, capturing some fantastic moments for us. His knowledge and enthusiasm made the tour truly memorable. Highly recommended!

Such a fantastic morning. Loved seeing this magical coastline in a kayak with my son. Our guide Georgia was outstanding - we felt really safe and she was full of fascinating stories and insights about the area. A great combo of relaxed meandering and more energetic paddling with a heavenly stop at Cathedral Cove for a perfect hit choccie. Can’t imagine a better way to experience this stunning place.

OMG What a wonderful team of people so polite and caring this is a trip that no one should miss!!! My guide was a lovely sweet young lady called mo ( just an abriviation of her first name) she worked so hard pulling the Kayaks into and out of the water by herself with 2 people inside bless her! And when we reached Cathedral Cove she had all of the stuff to make the whole group hot drinks from Coffee's to Hot Chocolate I would personally like to thank her from the bottom of my heart ❤ for a lovely trip xxx

We had a fantastic tour Louis was super nice and talked to everyone and showed lots of great interest in clients. It was a fantastic family and great fun paddling along the cathedral cove. We had some of the best hot chocolates of our lives. Experience of a lifetime in an incredible place. Louis we can’t wait to see you again

Had an epic time on this kayak tour. Finding the launch point was super easy, just a 1 min walk from the car park down to the launch point on the beach. Check in was smooth and easy. Small group so really personalized. Provided dry bags to keep all my gear dry during the tour. I’m a hobby film photographer so that was great! Our guide for this tour, Lui, originally a Wellington local, took care of everyone so well, super attentive, funny, and we got to see so much with him. I was visiting from Hawaii so I feel very comfortable on/in the ocean. Traveling by myself so I was given a solo kayak and it was great to feel trusted enough to go at my own ability and with the freedom to explore while with the group, while also remaining respectful to the group and tour and making it easier and not harder on Lui. Took us around some of the smaller islands off shore, then got us right onto the beach. We were given time to walk around at cathedral cove, check out the spots, take some great photos, there was even some small shorebreak so I got to bodysurf a bit. All while he made us hot chocolate, coffee and tea right there on the beach. Really appreciated the emphasis on Māori history and legends to honor the rich indigenous culture, some more recent local history, and facts about wildlife in the area. Would recommend 110%, hopefully you get Lui, you won’t regret it!

We absolutely loved the kayak tour! It was such a fun and relaxing way to explore the area, with stunning views all around. Brad was super friendly and made us feel safe and comfortable the whole time. A smooth, enjoyable experience — highly recommend!

Best beach in the world. Dont let the "hike" out you off. Also take out.your rubbish if you do go.

Amazing view and relaxing place for summer.. worth the track for about 30 min. Make sure you have proper footwear for track.

Location is Amaizing, but very hard to climb to top of rock. Way of rock not have steps. Buy who active not a issue for climb to top. View is Supper Beautiful ..❤👍

Absolutely stunning. One of the most beautiful beaches I've ever been to (world wide). It is not easily accessible and there are no facilities, but totally worth the walk

It was high tide, so we started by wading knee deep across the stream and then had a km stretch of rough, tough walking over the rocks (but manageable - even for an 80 year old!). Also rather muddy and slippery after all the rain the last few weeks so we did not go up to the lockout point.

Amazing secluded beach. Requires a little hike around the rocks and pathway, therefore reccomened wearing shoes rather than any slip on or slip off shoes. Walk is approximately 20 mins and is mostly shaded. There is a nice hike up a mountain for those of which want a nice view, (pictures) slightly more difficult but definitely worth a go. The beach itself is nice and refreshing. However, when we went last week (13/1/19) there was this weird red seaweed floating throughout which hindered our experience compared to the first time we went. Strong waves so be a little careful as no lifeguards, Never the less, enjoyable beach and good to experience!

The beach itself is ok but for me climbing the hill / rock was pretty awesome. To find the way there turn right after the SECOND sign where it says that it takes 30-40 min walk to the beach. I would not advice to climb this rock if it has been raining as the stones and soil could be slippery. Hiking shoes would be perfect for this climb and walk.

Great place to visit, lady there was very helpful and knowledgeable, giving us a great run down of its amazing history. Road to it was narrow and winding, but worth the journey. Really nice trails and water features, cool and peaceful. Ducks to feed. Highly recommend A+++

Beautiful place to spend some days. Caretaker and owner very friendly and helpful. The gardens are lush and beautiful to walk around.

Rapaura Water Gardens – He Taonga Ora A Living Treasure Rapaura Water Gardens in Tapu are a taonga, alive with wairua, history, and the mauri of the whenua. From the moment we arrived, the sound of the awa carried us into a different space — a place where past and present flow together.We climbed to the end of the track which we were blessed to view an opening of the shallow part of the opening of the waterfall, where the wai tumbled gently over the rocks. It was here that we acknowledged all that have been before us and left and the many stories and history this Awa has. Feeling completely blessed and appreciating the wairua and mauri of this space we felt this was a perfect time and place to karakia, give thanks and to cleanse our whanau, our greenstone taonga and really tune into this incredibly spiritual place. This was such a blessing, and a reminder of whakapapa and the timeless connection between people, land, and water.Standing there, with wai in our hands and our babies by our side, we felt the aroha of our tīpuna and the embrace of Papatūānuku. Rapaura Water Gardens in Tapu are more than a visitor attraction it is a sacred taonga where wai, whenua, people, and wairua flow together. The awa, now called the Tapu River (once known as Waipatukahu Stream), runs clear through the gardens, carrying with it stories of the land and its people.Since 1993, a whānau has lovingly carried the responsibility of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) for this whenua and awa. Their aroha and care can be felt everywhere – in the thriving native rākau, in the calls of ngā manu that echo through the gardens, and in the peaceful pathways that allow manuhiri to walk gently upon the land. Rapaura is not just a place you see — it is a place that touches you, cleanses you, and stays with you. A sanctuary of healing, grounding, and connection. 💧🌿✨ ❤️

We are blessed to have found this beautiful place to stay on our way to Driving Creek. The house was so cozy , clean and with character! Our appreciation to Serena (?Spelling ) for her warm and attentive service. We ordered food for BBQ dinner and they turned out excellent. The house was surrounded by the watergarden that we saw friendly little ducks , we enjoyed the walk there . Highly recommended to anyone looking for a place to stay in the Thames .

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Perfect Stay! We had an amazing time at this accommodation! The host was incredibly welcoming and made sure everything was perfect for our stay. The house itself is spacious, spotless, and beautifully decorated. every detail felt thoughtful and inviting. The view from the house overlooking the garden and river is just stunning. The garden is beautifully maintained, and the walk along the river was such a highlight, it leads to a breathtaking waterfall that’s absolutely worth the stroll. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay. Highly recommend this wonderful home to anyone looking for a peaceful and picturesque getaway.

Just visited the gardens. Restaurant was closed for main meals. Could do light fare only. Lovely day to visit in the mid 60's and overcast. A lot of stuff in bloom already and it's only end of Oct. Wheelchair/ Walker friendly to the lily ponds, but not the yellow track or up to the falls. I'd say to the falls you'd need to have decent knees. Maybe a 3 on scale of 1-10 for difficulty. Worth it for sure if you can make it. We spent 1.5 hours doing all the paths including feeding the ducks and sitting for awhile.

The host was welcoming, friendly and helpful. A beautiful tranquil garden and bush retreat with natural water features. Followed by a panini, cake and coffee. We loved our time here ❤️

What a fun place! About 8 species of butterfly. Worth a stop.

Good for a warm up and interesting for kids under new friendly ownership

If you are planning on visiting he butterfly house in Thames NZ reconsider your options it has been closed for a month due to relocation in progress. unfortunate that there has been no notice been made on their website.... DISAPPOINTED.......

Was great to walk through, was able to take the buggy through so the little one could see. Lovely staff and quiet.

It is not there any more ! No signs at all. There was a brown signage on the Tararu rd. which has been painted white now.

Cool place to visit. Beautiful butterflies and the owner is okay too.

Best thing do on a cold day. Was awesome see so many different types of butterflies

We had so much fun and memories are established here! Surely, the council work alongside the owners and develop a collaborative plan to restore a community resource! Let's find a solution and make this work so the fun times and memories return and remain sustainable. There should have been some legal obligation for maintenance, restoring and sustainability moving forward. Iconic places like this have a community responsibility. Just my thoughts and obviously just my opinion without legal knowledge but surely the message is restoration, reopen, maintain, and sustain. Places like this should have provisions before sale.

The staff were very friendly. I thought the drive was out the way and the prices a bit on the steep side. The facilities are adequate with a grass patch, some BBQs, tables and chairs, change rooms toilets and a single shower. Everything looks like it could do with a bit of a spruce up. I would have appreciated a bit of shade covering over the pool. The cafe had good food and wonderful service.

Lovely place💙 I've been going to this pool since I was a baby. Good times and great memories. Fun for the whole family. Really yummy food and kind staff members.

This beautiful Hot springs is definately the place to be to unwind, entertain and family friendly. Thermal pool with lots of play space for families and kiddies. Its a fair drive but it is soooo worth the gas. The prices are meh ok It is pretty expensive for private pools however, if you enjoy just relaxing and mingling with ethnic families you will love being there

A favourite place to visit since childhood. Food at cafe was good and reasonably priced. Entry prices are as is on website. Place was clean and tidy. Good for families.

No shelter over main pool is a bummer, and no cold water pool at all. But still loved it, spent an entire day there and went home feeling relaxed.

Out do or heated pool near the east coast lovely staff and hot food available. Family friendly business.

This is the coolest museum I've visited so far! I had a really great time looking at the vintage items inside, especially the cars. 10/10. Just a 10min-drive from my place. Must visit when you're in Hamilton. You can book a $20 entry ticket online or purchase it from the counter of Jukebox Diner where the entrance to the museum is located.

What a fantastic experience! I highly recommend it! Thank you for caring for and preserving such valuable and rare specimens. I'd like to point out how incredibly clean everything is - no dust or dirt stains - it's incredible!!! P.S. I won't share all the photos and videos, you have to see it all with your own eyes!

Beautiful place to visit. It shows that the owners really care, the place is a tribute to the love of classic cars. Even if you’re not a petrolhead, there is something to like. There are old toys, adverts, nicknacks and they make the place a vibrant space of color.

Wow. Just wow. A simple stunning collection of classics and all the related accessories. The work that must be put in to maintain at this level is mind blowing. Well worth a visit.

An absolute must for any one age ethnicity. Absolutely loved it. Felt sorry for grandpa who left because he didn't understand how it works. Might pay to have a person who welcomes you.

Great place in regards to the cars. Downfall menu doesn’t cater for everybody’s dietary needs a little bit expensive no system for when it got quite busy and not enough staff

I was genuinely surprised by the variety and quality of the exhibits at this local museum. It’s far more than just a quick look! There was so much to see—it was a truly worthwhile visit and the time flew by. It felt very well put together. My only regret is that I had just eaten before visiting! The burgers coming out of the café looked absolutely scrumptious (seriously, they looked incredible). I was so tempted to try one! Next time, I am definitely planning my visit around a meal here. Highly recommend stopping by! Cheers!

Hamilton Zoo is a fantastic place for families and animal lovers. The enclosures are spacious and thoughtfully designed, giving the animals room to move and making the experience feel natural. The highlights include the big cats, giraffes, rhinos, and the incredible aviary walk-through. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about conservation. Keeper talks are engaging and give you a deeper understanding of the animals and the zoo’s work. The grounds are well-kept, easy to walk, and there are plenty of shaded areas and picnic spots to relax. It’s not overcrowded like some larger zoos, which makes the visit more enjoyable and peaceful. A great balance of education, conservation, and family fun—definitely worth a visit if you’re in Hamilton.

This was my second visit, and I had a great time again. The grounds are quite large, so I recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. I really love zoos, so I always take my time to look carefully at how the exhibits are designed and to make sure the animals don’t look bored. I was surprised to see so many peacocks freely roaming around right near the entrance, but they seemed very used to people and were quite friendly.

Spent a few hours here, my daughter had a blast. Wouldn't mind returning to see the tiger as we never got the chance too since there were so many people in the viewing window. In my eyes it was well worth it. Zoo keepers seem to take great care of the animals.

Had a fabulous family day out and were lucky enough to enjoy two of the animal encounters the zoo offers. Both our encounters and general viewing experiences were top notch. We got to see a variety of the animals being fed, playing, and living positive and enriched lives.

A wide variety of animals. All animals seemed healthy and with a reasonable amount of space and activities to do. I'm very torn over the chimps because most of the time they just don't look active or happy. We paid extra to do a lemur encounter as we have done in the past and it's a reasonable price to see the lemurs up close and hand feed them. The interaction is on the lemurs terms and the keepers have interesting information on their behaviour and hierachy. The takeaway is that all lemurs are now endangered due to deforestation in Madagascar (citified). For the animal encounters I recommend buying tickets in advance online to ensure you have enough for your party. The zoo entrance is a separate fee. Wear the shoes as stated on the ticket. You'll need good walking shoes anyway as the grounds are massive. The addition of a nice cafe at the entrance, improved parking and several wee playgrounds around the zoo have all improved the zoo immensely.

My daughter and grandson absolutely enjoyed a Sunday morning spent at the zoo. Loads of cute animals with play grounds in-between which was great for me to have a breather lol it's definitely a must do for the family. Thank you Hamilton zoo for the great experience, we'll be back

We loved Hamilton Zoo, even on a rainy day it was a really fun experience. We had half the displays to ourselves, given that not many people were out braving the weather. Totally worth it though, such a nice relaxed environment and the animals all appeared to be in good health! Definitely recommend the trip here

Not sure why Google is calling ManOWar a hotel? We had lunch there and unfortunately our prosciutto pizza came out with no prosciutto on it and several of our pizzas had burnt bases. They were very good in taking these items off the bill but the food served was 2/10.

Gorgeous, as always ❤️ great service, beautiful venue, nice food and bev, stunning views. This time there were just 2 of us, however we have been a party of 20+ before and the experience was just as good, if not better for the company. The addition of a zip line is an excellent idea, we are a bit older so maybe one day, never say never! Buses run regularly, the road is narrow and winding, beautiful and part of the kiwi experience, but care needed.

Went to the restaurant during a whale watching trip. Didn’t see anything in the ocean so I’m glad we at least got some great food here. The view is great! They were super busy so a reservation, while unnecessary for us,would be a safer option if you don’t have much time. The wine was amazing, the food was fantastic, but be prepared to wait a bit when they are busy. Would go again if I’m ever in the area. It was also nice that they have delicious Gluten Free options! They did forget our prosciutto topping but we reminded them and they brought some out for us.

Stopped off from the Eastern Explorer. They were fully booked for lunch but we were able to sit on the front lawn and order a wine (or two) and a pizza. Both were outstanding. Great service and view.

we found the food quite poor @ man o war restaurant we had- dry aged sirloin medium rare steak frites- this is really below par..beef was overdone and not sweet and flavourful expected of a dry aged steak pizzas are average ok standard - prosciutto, fungi and salami. cauliflower is average below par. white wine clams had nice huge clams correct texture but really poor sauce, supposed to be white wine sauce but came like a gluey clam chowder. focaccia, fish pate and truffle fries ok. quite disappointed with the lunch food for NZ$321 11.10.2025

Was sent an email asking for feedback, sent reply which was not responded to or acknowledged. The zip line was fantastic — great staff, well-run, and something I’d absolutely do again. Lunch at Man O’ War was a disaster. I’d booked months in advance requesting an outside table, only to be told we had to sit inside. Service was chaotic, we had to wave someone down for drinks, food took forever, and there was a 30 minute gap between the first and last main (luckily the first of our party served didn’t wait for the others). One entree was brought out twice, one main never arrived, and the food was disappointing - in particular the steak frites was cold and poorly cooked. The table next to us had the same issues and they ended up walking to the kitchen to find out whether the chef was still alive. The whole place felt completely disorganised. Easily the worst dining experience I’ve had on Waiheke, and I was embarrassed to have brought friends visiting the island here.

Visited Man O'War for lunch on Friday 14th Nov. The reviews will tell you how stunning this bay is, absolutely gorgeous spot. I can recommended the clams with cream, lemon, chilli and white wine which was so delicious and we also had the Harissa chicken which came on a bed of bulgur, chocked full of tiny chopped up ingredients which was very flavoursome and filling.

Beautiful island with a determinedly rural vibe despite proximity to New Zealand's largest city. There are wineries and secenic lookouts and the island is easily reachable on the regular ferries from central Auckland

Such a beautiful island escape! Loved driving around, taking in the stunning beaches and charming wineries. The vibe is super relaxing and peaceful — honestly felt like the trip should never end. Perfect spot to unwind and soak up nature.

Waiheke Island is an absolute must-do day trip in Auckland. The ferry is short (45 minutes) and smooth. We enjoyed beaches, wineries and restaurants. From gelato and fish n' chips to wine tastings and charcuterie boards, everything was delicious. I would definitely recommend Island Gelato Co. Waiheke (the passionfruit coconut flavor was to die for) and Postage Stamp Wines (amazing drinks, meats, cheeses and views).

The ferry ride to any of the islands is a must when you are in Auckland. Stunning & peaceful beaches & shores. Beautiful vineyards. The island has enough activities to choose from. There are scenic lookouts where you can enjoy the present doing nothing. There are no vehicles, other than the hop in hop off buses. These buses take you everywhere on the island.

Wonderful island experience with amazing beaches, art walks and wineries.

Beautiful small island with stunning views and a peaceful vibe. Waiheke Island offers great beaches, charming vineyards, and scenic walking trails. It's a perfect getaway for a day trip or a weekend escape. Highly recommended for nature lovers and those seeking a relaxing break. With exciting ferry journey 🤩

Waiheke Island is a beautiful place and definitely worth seeing at least once. Most places were closed during my visit, but the scenery was still lovely. Glad I visited, though I don’t think I’d return.

It was an amazing experience! Not only the ziplining part was so much fun, but the landscapes you see are really worth it! Our instructors and guides, Lucy and Rob, were so nice (and funny haha), but they also know a lot about the area so you learn interesting facts and that’s a cool bonus ☺️ highly recommend it! Thanks!

Lovely day zip lining with EcoZip Adventures on Waiheke Island today! They picked us up from the Waiheke Island Ferry Terminal, and drove us to the site. The staff were friendly and professional, and we had a great time zip lining the 3 courses. Beautiful views as well. Finished off with a bush walk back up, and dropped back off at Oneroa Village and the Ferry Terminal

This was a highlight for our Auckland holiday! It was so easy to organise and it we were collected from the ferry terminal, and taken on a scenic drive up to the HQ. Our guides were super informative and so much fun! My daughter was quite nervous and they worked with her to work through her nerves to make it such a memorial experience. They dropped us off at a great spot for lunch. The scenery was spectacular, the Fraser’s animal impressions on the zipping gave us a good giggle.

Fabulous friendly and informative staff who helped us from the booking, organise the ferry, pickup and showed us an amazing ziplining experience and some incredible bush walking on the majestic Waiheke Island. I would stay longer on the island for sure next time to further explore and enjoy all the restaurants that the island has to offer...just beautiful!! The ziplining was also epic, finishing with a real ripper!!!! The kids and I loved every minute of our adventure!!!

A must see and visit in the island. Both Lucy and Marcus bring the highest quality of service to our family. Not only the exciting zip but also the lesson for the forest and nature protection. If you have a family of 2 kids, please make sure you booking from the website and choose the family plan. For all customers from other than western country, no need to afraid the barrier from language, the warm and kind welcoming will help you overcome all the difficulties. A big thumb up for them.

Fantastic experience beginning with spectacular views over Waiheke with Rangitoto and Auckland in the distance. Professional operation with 3 zip lines followed by an ecological informative walk through the old bush. Highly recommended

The guides were super friendly embedding confidence in a very relaxed atmosphere. My young Grandson was really enthusiastic and I had to try and restrain him from going first jump at every station 🤸🏽‍♀️🤣🤣 .As we walked through the lovely shaded native bush back to the start , the young one looked up at me and said “Thanks G.Dad that was such fun” 😊😊👍 Thankyou EcoZip adventures for a great afternoon 👍👍🇳🇿

Dry beautiful garden • Location: 102 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland.  • Size: ~ 64 hectares, including about 10 hectares of native forest.  • When established: The gardens were opened in 1982; land for them was purchased back in 1968.  ⸻ What’s There / Highlights • Plant collections: A wide diversity including native New Zealand plants, exotics, edibles, African plants, magnolias, camellias, roses, etc.  • Native Forest Trail: A bush/forest remnant walk that’s quite scenic.  • Threatened Native Plant Collection: For seeing rare and vulnerable local species.  • Gondwana Arboretum: Trees that reflect ancient lineage or plant families with long evolutionary histories.  • Potter Children’s Garden: A child-friendly themed garden to explore.  • Seasonal displays & gardens: Rose garden, Camellia, Magnolia, Edible Garden, African Garden etc.  • Visitor Centre (Huakaiwaka): Includes café (Café Miko), display/exhibition spaces, map & garden information.  • Outdoor sculpture: Large scale artworks are scattered throughout.  ⸻ Hours & Entry • Entry: Free entry for the gardens.  • Opening hours (Gardens): • Summer (October–March): ~ 6:30 am to 8:00 pm  • Winter (April–September): ~ 6:30 am to 6:00 pm  • Visitor Centre & Café have more limited hours; closed Christmas Day, café may close earlier.  ⸻ How to Get There • By car: Take the Southern Motorway (State Highway 1). If coming from the city heading south, exit at Manurewa / Hill Road (Exit 451), then left onto Hill Road; the gardens are the first driveway on the left.  From the south, exit at Takanini (exit 453), then follow a combination of roads (Great South Road → Alfriston Road → Claude Road → Hill Road) to reach the gardens. • By public transport: There’s a bus route (366) between Manurewa bus interchange and the Gardens. Also possible combination with train + bus + walking from Manurewa train station. Approximately 2 km ride or walk from the station. • By bike: You can take a bike on the train for free, then cycle a short distance from the station. There are bike parking facilities at the visitor centre.

Auckland Botanic Gardens is peaceful, beautiful, diverse garden experience that suits many interests, from families and casual visitors to plant lovers. If you visit, allow a few hours (or more!) so you can wander without rushing, stop to sit and take in the views, and perhaps have a picnic. Highly recommended.

Beautiful place to have a walk with your dogs and take pictures. Here’s a pro tip: the I cream van line is always very long so just go to the cafe and buy an ice cream tub or a popsicle. Overall, place is full of amazing flowers and trees and my dog had an absolute blast here. Just make sure the weather is nice before coming here!

Had a lovely time at Auckland Botanic Gardens! The gardens are so beautiful and peaceful, with lots of space to walk around and enjoy the flowers and greenery. My family really enjoyed exploring different sections, and the kids loved the playground. A perfect place to relax, take photos, and spend a quiet day surrounded by nature.

A Day Well Spent at the Auckland Botanic Gardens 🌳 My recent visit to the Auckland Botanic Gardens was an absolute delight and a perfect escape into nature. The images showcase the incredible variety and beauty of the gardens, making it clear why this is a must-visit spot. Overall, the Auckland Botanic Gardens are a spectacular place—a beautifully cultivated space that offers both horticultural interest and a peaceful retreat from the city. I highly recommend spending a few hours exploring its paths and diverse collections.

Beautiful day at the Gardens, the Camellias are blooming and very pretty to watch! Also the Magnolias are worth mentioning. Lovely for a quick or longer stroll. Easy to grab a coffee to go, parking in the morning is good and definitely will go to see more flowers bloom.

The Auckland Botanic Gardens is hands down my favorite spot in Auckland! 🌿🌸 It’s huge, filled with all kinds of plants and flowers, so no matter what season it is—spring, summer, autumn, or winter—you’ll always find something in bloom. The walking paths are easy to follow, and just wandering around here is such a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

During the school holidays, I took my kids to Spookers, a thrilling place designed for kids. One of the actors did amazing job entertaining our kids and make them comfortable to visit hau ted house specially. Although it was a bit scary, it made my kids feel thrilled and uncomfortable at the same time. I'd definitely recommend it for kids who enjoy a good scare! Definitely will visit r18 one soon with friends

Great experience! The woods & Haunted house were great! Def got the heart pumping. Disturbia was very underwhelming felt like a dodgy carnival ride with minimal to no jump scares. Actors overall where phenomenal! Id highly reccomend. It would be great if they had a line separate for pre purchased tickets. Took ages to get in. But once in it ran pretty smoothly.

so much fun! staff are wonderful and respectful- if you ask them to stop they do - ALSO THE SETS !!!!!!! everything was absolutely incredible

Love the experience. Totally in love with the clowns in the Disturpia section. They are the best. If possible would really love to be friends with them🥰 The Haunted house and The Woods are not bad too. All the actors and staff are very nice and kind. I'm astonishing by their acting skills and costumes. Amazing job👍👍👍

Absolutely insane experience in the best way! The actors were next-level, totally in character the whole time and really knew how to get a good scare out of you. The sets and effects were super well done too, way more detailed than I expected. The over 18s night adds that extra bit of chaos and dark humour, which makes it hilarious as well as terrifying. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, but if you’re up for a laugh and a proper fright, this place is a must.

Definitely worth going there. My colleagues and I went there for Halloween and we had the best time! It is a once to do spooky activity!

Absolute rubbish, waste of 180 dollars. Waited just over 3 hours in line to get into the first room only to find there was only 1 actor in there who was sitting down and asked me why I was laughing lol the actors in the woods breaking character and moaning about working too long and running around messing up scaring the groups going through amongst other things.There would've been around 1000 people that went through last night being Halloween weekend at minimum $60 per person... you'd think with making that much money spookers could account for it being busy and organize some staff rotations, better systems or something.

Took miss 8yr niece there for the cave tour. She a little nervous, but the guide did a great job. Back to the Cafe afterwards, for a fantastic pizza home made lemonade and wild pork sausage stack.... great food. The grounds and facilities are great with plenty of outdoor seating, gardens and stream (with hungry eels in you can feed). Popular with motorbike riders as it's a great ride out n back.

A beautiful spot nested on the Waikaretu Valley Road. Visited quite a few times during motorcycle rides & a drive via Waikato Port. Peaceful ambience all around and a small stream to add to its beauty! Staff are kind & accomodating, and food is good too! Definately a place to visit if you haven't!

Stayed overnight here. What a great place to stay. The night is absolutely quiet as you are in the middle of nowhere. In the morning you wake up to the great golden view of the limestone hills and the grazing sheep. The host is very friendly. Also have mention the great and quiet scenery of the road to this place. Then you can have their roasted coffee for breakfast.

I went for the cafe and not the cave. If you’re looking for a tranquil escape paired with exceptional coffee and food, this cafe is the perfect spot. Nestled between towering rock faces, the setting alone is enough to take your breath away. The ambiance is serene and soothing, with the gentle babble of a stream out back adding a natural soundtrack to your visit. The outdoor seating by the stream is the real highlight, offering a peaceful retreat to savor your meal while soaking in the natural beauty. It’s the kind of place that feels like a secret hideaway, making it perfect for a relaxing morning or an afternoon recharge. Overall, this cafe is more than just a place to grab a coffee—it’s an experience. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates great food, excellent coffee, and the serenity of nature.

Loved our stay in the White House! Such a peaceful spot with amazing views, perfect for enjoying an early coffee on the deck. The café food was great, and Philip and Anne were really accommodating with my wife’s food allergies. We also loved the bush walk nearby. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. We’d love to come back later in the season!

This has been on our bucket list forever since seeing this place on seven sharp and today we finally did it. It was such am amazing experience. The cave tour was great and it was awesome to see spiders, cave Weta, many glow worms and we waited for Eddie the cave eel but he didn't want to appear today. Some spaces in the cave were tight and went through water, but Phillip and his trainee guide helped us feel confident and safe. Afterwards, we went to the Cafe for a very tasty lunch which we also enjoyed. Totally recommend this experience. It is amazing and well worth it.

The Nikau Cave tour is awesome. I think everyone should experience it. It took us about one hour to cross the one km cave. Prepare to get wet, as we need to crawl narrow section and squeeze through holes. The view inside is awesome. The cave is privately owned, and the owners took care of it extremely well. We are blessed to be able to enjoy it. Totally worth the trip. Philip, the tour guide is awesome. Very knowledgeable, joyous and experience guide. I would highly recommend everyone!

Iconic Museum in Auckland and an absolute must see ! My highlight was the Vulcano simulator 🌋 You can easily spend 3-4 hours here and all floors host tranquil exhibitions. The team is excellent and will help you with all your questions. The cafeteria is nice and there is also a very popular cafeteria ☕️ I can highly recommend to go there !

I would say this museum offers some of the best exhibitions in New Zealand. It features a wonderful collection showcasing Māori art, culture, and New Zealand history- from artefacts, paintings, and carvings to impressive life-sized pieces like the Māori waka (traditional canoe). The museum has also hosted incredible showcases such as the Guo Pei exhibition and, more recently, the DIVA exhibition in collaboration with the V&A in the UK. I travelled all the way from Wellington just to see DIVA! Tickets are reasonably priced (around $25) and include headsets, which is a great touch. The building itself is beautifully designed with sweeping ceilings and a bright, welcoming foyer that houses a café, restaurant, ticket counter, and access to toilets, a drinking fountain, and exhibition spaces. The layout is accessible and easy to navigate, and the facilities (including the toilets) are clean and well maintained. There’s also two floors of undercover parking located downstairs, accessible via lift. Parking payment is made at kiosks by card.

I highly recommend the Māori experience! It’s not a show but a sharing of culture. So don’t expect a long form of entertainment. I really enjoyed being part of it and being able to ask questions afterwards. The museum itself had a lot of items from many different wars and countries! It was interesting to see whole fighter planes up close! I’m only a bit disappointed that the main Māori exhibit is closed at the moment but it was definitely an informative time!

They discounted my ticket because so many exhibits were closed but I was still disappointed. I really went out of my way to get here from the cbd and there were only a couple of interesting exhibits. Further, I went here on a weekend and experienced a lot of small children screaming and running around. I believe because admission is free for locals and parents were looking for a way to occupy their children. I enjoyed the war memorial exhibition, but was disappointed parents didn’t explain to their children that the exhibit deserved a little respect. I would recommend avoiding this museum when children are not in school.

A well planned out museum for both young and old. The history of New Zealand's people both first nation and the rest are presented to us both visually and physically in items of historic value. Parking is limited especially during school holidays, weekends and public holidays. Excellent 👍 👌

What an outstanding museum! The style of the building is gorgeous. Inside you are presented with a variety of areas related to New Zealand culture and history. At the time of my visit in late August 2025 , plenty of areas were closed off hopefully by my next visit, they will be open. The highlight for me was the World War level and everything related to our past. Would recommend to anyone who can appreciate NZ history! Also note the statue of Zealandia 🤍 If visiting, you should consider a donation. Entry is free for residents of NZ with proof of identity.

I had a good experience at the war memorial museum, though it was somewhat dampened by the museum being approximately half-shuttered due to long-term repairs being made to the building and galleries. The ticket cost was reduced by 50% to compensate, which seems about right. Highlights included the Auckland exhibit, which was very colourful, progressive, and optimistic while also reflecting on more difficult parts of the past. I also really enjoyed the gallery about New Zealand’s flora and fauna. It was especially cool seeing reconstructions of giant flightless birds. WWII scholars will love the reconstructed Zero. When I went on a weekday, it was quite busy with many children, so just be aware!

Authentic vintage feel. Retro train cars and historic steam train. I went with the first class experience. Initially I thought only first class had a viewing deck due to the pictures and desperations on the website which was one of the main reasons I chose first class, but turns out the standard cars also have plenty of viewing spots. The high tea was a bit underwhelming as I found most of the savoury stuff to be dry and flavourless. The website also stated that there would be tea and coffee and cold non- alcoholic drinks like soft drinks available, which was the second main reason I chose first class as I thought it would be great with cold soft drinks, but low and behold, when I asked about soft drinks, the attending staff member informed that they didn’t have that on the train. I felt misinformed and quite cheated but the car for first class was at least pretty neat. And the staff was nice as well. Ride was pretty short, and not the most scenic but still a good experience.

Loved the Christmas light up at the village. Great vibe and relaxed atmosphere. Well worth taking the kids out to this fun family event. We purchased cheaper tickets online and got there right on opening time (6pm) which gave us plenty of chill time to get food and let the kids play before the crowds arrived. Took the 8:30pm train and caught a magical sunset. Beautiful!!!

Great place for a family outing. Takes us back in time to the days when steam train was the main mode of transport. All staff were dressed in period costumes that helped enhance the experience. It was an educational trip for the young family member

A fun outing for young and old. We have been to GVR many times over the years, but signed up for the high tea experience for King's Birthday Weekend and had a blast. A fun outing on an old steam drawn train in the first class carriage with high tea. It's a short run from Glenbrook station to Waiuku with time to enjoy the snacks and tea or coffee on the trip there and back. About an hour all up and well worth the drive to get there.

It is worth a trip but the high tea food was a bit disappointing....we are not full of nonsense when it comes to food but only the brownies and lemon tartlett was VERY nice...rest was awful and the scones seemed to be old...🤷🏻‍♀️ staff super friendly...

If you love Steam Trains this is a must do if you’re in the area I have never seen Such enthusiastic volunteer as these guys I absolutely loved my experience with them 👍

Glenbrook Vintage Train – A Short Trip Back in Time 🚂✨ Visited Glenbrook on Matariki. A public holiday, and apparently, everyone else had the same idea. 😅 The place was absolutely buzzing! Food stalls, families, and enough people to power a whole second train with body heat alone. Booked tickets online in advance (NZD15 per adult), and after a 1-hour drive from Auckland central, we were greeted by vintage vibes and steam-powered nostalgia. 🚆💨 Now, the ride itself? Short and sweet, just 15 minutes back and forth, but the experience is golden. That choo-choo, the horn blowing, and the old-school wooden interior really made it feel like a trip through history. The view outside though? Meh. Let’s just say you won’t miss much if you blink. 👀🌾 Toilets? Surprisingly clean, no steam or time travel involved. Crowds? Heavy today, but that’s expected on a festival day. On a normal weekend, it’s probably more chill. "Logan was here for the train, stayed for the vibes. Would definitely choo-choo again".

Sky Tower (part of the SkyCity Auckland complex)  • Height: 328 metres from ground level to the top of the mast.  • Location: Corner of Victoria Street West & Federal Street, Auckland CBD.  • Opened: 1997.  ⸻ What You Can Do / See • Observation Decks: There are multiple levels you can go up to for views. You can see up to ~ 80 km in good weather, including volcanoes, harbour, city skyline etc.  • Orbit 360° Dining Restaurant: A revolving restaurant located near the top — dining with panoramic views as the restaurant rotates.  • SkyBar: A bar high up in the tower with expansive views.  • SkyWalk & SkyJump: • SkyWalk — walk around the exterior of the tower at height, harnessed.  • SkyJump — a controlled “jump”/plunge off the tower from a height (for the thrill-seekers).  • Gift shop, cafes, and casual dining, including Sky Cafe.  ⸻ Structure & Design • Built with high-performance reinforced concrete shaft (about 12m diameter) with support from piles, and with a steel mast at top.  • It’s designed for safety: wind resistance (can sway in strong winds), seismic design to withstand significant earthquakes, fire safety features, etc.  ⸻ Hours & Tickets • Opening hours: The Sky Tower is open daily, from morning (around 9:30 am) until evening/night (hours depend on the day & season).  • Last entry times vary with season.  • Admission fees: There is an entry fee for the observation decks. The cost depends on which deck, whether you want to add things like SkyWalk or SkyJump.  • Booking: Better to buy tickets in advance online to secure times and sometimes get discounts.  ⸻ Why It’s Worth Visiting • It’s an iconic Auckland landmark — visible from many parts of the city, a symbol of Auckland.  • Unmatched 360-degree views of the city, harbour, islands, volcano cones etc.  • Combination of experiences: you can just enjoy the view, or add excitement with SkyJump / SkyWalk, or dining high up. Gives options depending on how adventurous or relaxed you’re feeling. • Great at sunset or at night for city lights.

In cities that have a big tower like this it's almost always worthwhile to go up and check out the view. This tower has two levels of observation and one level for dining and bungee jumping. There may be other levels but there were some renovations happening at the time of writing. I'm sure this could be made into a much bigger activity by dining here during the sunset or jumping off (a desire I'll never understand) but just as a casual place to spend some time between outings in Auckland it's pretty great.

So worth the money to visit the lookout! A bit scary at first but well worth the beautiful view. We really love that there’s also a sit down option where you can enjoy the view and some good kai. There’s also ice cream and coffee at one of the lookouts.

A good view of the city and probably one of the only things to do in Auckland that is actually in Auckland and doesn’t require a day trip. Price felt a bit expensive for what it was as there wasn’t actually that much to do at the top bar the views. But if you’ve got a spare hour or two in Auckland and aren’t strapped for cash then I’d do it.

If you come to Auckland, DO NOT MISS THE SKY TOWER!!! Yep, both my wife and I enjoyed our time looking at the majestic views and taking photos. Seeing Auckland from this vantage point was a great way to see the city. Plan your visit for a clear day to maximize your viewing pleasure.

Had a great time up here. Price was a little steep for what it is but we had a good time nonetheless the less. Some fantastic views across the city and had the weather been nicer I can imagine some of the views would have been majestic. Elevator takes you up to the 51st floor and then another elevator takes you up a further 9 floors. All in all, worth a visit for an hour.

Sky Tower is definitely one of those must-do experiences in Auckland! I’d give it a strong 9/10. The views are absolutely stunning—you get a full panoramic look over the harbour, city, and even out to the islands. The photos you take up there will be some of the best from your trip. The glass floors add a thrill, and if you’re feeling adventurous, the SkyJump or SkyWalk turn it into more than just sightseeing. The only minor downside is that tickets can feel a bit pricey, but honestly, for a once-in-a-lifetime view, it’s worth it. It’s the kind of spot that really makes you feel like you’ve “arrived” in Auckland.

Such a fun place to go as a family. The dinosaur area is so cool! Ice cream and coffee isn't stupidly overpriced. Would definitely recommend! We went on a Friday which was a lot nicer as there weren't big crowds.

I really enjoy this zoo. It sets an entirely new standard and I feel like I could spend forever there. The new do up is gorgeous, especially for the Tigers, Gharial and NZ Bird Aviaries. I love that the enclosures are all so spacious and that the animals are able to have space away from visitors if they want it. Sea krait is awesome too, hopefully in time it will also get a nice enclosure upgrade.

Mum of under 3, we go almost every week ! We love Auckland zoo 🫶🏻. We have the annual pass and go through the zoo slowly though my toddler has other ideas (aka running !) it's such a great open space for them to run around to burn the energy. Recommend going in the weekday, although there can be lots of school kids during these times. Weekdays do get pretty busy and I would have to park in the outer parking lot. Weekdays are easier to get tickets but it's a lot easier if you buy tickets online so you can just go into the zoo. Don't forget to take a picture with the elephant !

Incredibly impressed by how happy and content almost every animal was. I am used to seeing stressed animals pacing back and forth, but most of the animals were happily resting or interacting with their environment. There is a lot of renovations currently happening to improve the zoo so we did not get to see everything, but it was a wonderful place to go. I only wish I could know more about the individual animals, lots of staff around but it is a large sprawling area so hard to always find someone who knows about the animals

I hadn't been to the zoo for about 10 years, but I was very impressed with the changes that have happened over that time. It has wonderful enclosures for the animals, showing off animals from around the world and here in Aotearoa, and if utilizes it's space very well. A great place to take the family. The only hassle was car parking which, unless you get there early, will see you parking on the streets surrounding it.

Such a cool place for both adults and kids. Lots of animals to see and they seem well looked after. The playground areas are also fun for the kids! It seems lots of schools visit on a Friday but didn't cause any delays and it was fast to by a extra ticket. The annual pass gives a decent discount on all purchases.

Been twice in the last decade. Animals look well and happy. Large variety of animals. Beautifully looked after grounds. Facilities good. Currently getting upgraded in time for summer.

Almost 2 hour drive from Auckland but last 1 hour drive is scenic drive,view is pretty good and at the end you’ll find this lighthouse. Honestly drive for about 2hr to see this lighthouse isn't actually worth it but its okay if you cover some other nearby places too like Hamilton gap

Long weekend, busy carpark, strong wind, yet we enjoy the trip and the view. Beautiful view of the ocean and Auckland from a distance. Toilet may need some attention, no running water. Overall still a good day trip.

Visited on a spring weekend to show my family the beauty of this place. The scenery never disappoints despite that I’d been here before. We live in Auckland and still took us close to 2 hours to drive and reach this place. Insanely historic and beautiful!

After been closed for 2 and a half year Finally it's open for public .. The 360 view from here is Amazing Not just the view but actually the route Blessed to be there again after years!! Must visit ..very recommended

Amazing view from the lighthouse! Beautiful Whatipu beach view and even spot the Auckland tower in the distance. Worth the visit!

Visited on Labour day. It was windy but worth it. Check out the inside of the lighthouse and the sculptures. An accessible walk for people if average fitness.

Absolutely stunning views. Be even more amazing on a clear day. In my opinion still worth the visit

The views are just unbeatable. Lion Rock is an amazing natural feature, though sadly the hiking path was closed during our visit in early September 2025. Still, hiking around its foundations and investigating the tidal pools and beach was a lot of fun. The drive to get here from Auckland was very winding and treacherous for a person unfamiliar with the geography, so those with weak stomachs or nervous dispositions may be in for a difficult trip to get here!

Absolute must when in Auckland. Stunning huge beach with sparkling black sand and even penguins! Lots of surfers and families, is practically empty if you come in the morning. The parking is free and has so much to explore.

Lovely black sand, fun to watch the surfers…. Or book a surf lesson if you feel up to it. It does get busier throughout the day so maybe try and go early although we found plenty of parking

Love this beach at this time of year - very few people on beach but plenty of surfers as the waves were good. You can do a decent walk along the beach and you will fall in love with the Wild West Coast of NZ. Only 45 min from Auckland Central.

The drive to Piha Beach is an experience in itself — a long, winding road that’s both fun and a little challenging, so a bit of carefulness is needed. Depending on the day, the view from above the beach can be breathtaking, or it can completely disappear under a blanket of sea fog, which makes each visit unique. At the main carpark, there’s a restaurant that serves really yummy food — a nice spot to recharge before or after exploring. The beach itself is stunning but deserves respect. The waves can be unpredictable; during my visit, we got unexpectedly soaked, though thankfully not pulled out to sea. It’s a reminder not to underestimate the power of the surf here. That said, Piha is also a safe and relaxing place to simply take your shoes off and enjoy a “beach foot spa” in the sand and shallows. It’s wild, beautiful, and memorable — just go prepared for changing conditions, both on the road and at the beach.

If you're looking for a place that combines the power of the ocean, the calm of the bay, the majesty of the mountains, and the softness of the sand — this spot won’t disappoint. Only about an hour’s drive from Auckland, it’s perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway with family.

Stunning black sand beach. Surf is incredible..Could just sit and watch the sea for ever...Just stunning