Way out west

Description:

In West Auckland's wine country, Gracehill Vineyard offers buffet and set menus in a charming country garden setting overlooking the vineyards. It specialises in hosting functions from weddings to corporate events where there are also set menus for canapes and hors d'oeuvres. Guests can enjoy lunch in the courtyard or a more cosy dinner by the open fire.

Description:

This company has been in operation since 1984, and offers eco-tourism on and around Auckland's wild West Coast - a wilderness experience. There are many tour options and places to take in on your travels. Karekare Beach, huge Kauri trees, the Waitakere Ranges, Arataki Visitor Centre, Auckland City Highlights, the Muriwai Gannet Colony, and a Winery Tour, to name but a few. All travel is in luxury mini-coaches. Coach tours cost NZD95 per person.

Our Local Expert Says:

This beach really feels 'New Zealandy'. The combination of the roaring surf, the black sand, and the cave at the end of the beach are all worth the drive out. Don't forget your camera.

Description:

Bethells Beach has a much more wild feel about it than Piha, which is even more apparent on windy or rainy days. There are sweeping views and a large cave at the far end that is well worth the walk to. There are toilets near the car park and sometimes a little mobile cafe opens which is lovely for a sit down and a coffee. Don't count on this, though! You should definitely bring your own snacks and drinks, just in case. When the waves get nasty there will often be a warning sign which you should definitely heed as this can be a dangerous beach. There is always the creek. It's warmer and calmer and great for kids to play in. Sometimes you will see children being trained in surf lifesaving, which makes for a nice photo op with their hats on.

Description:

There are many things to admire about the Gannet Colony at Muriwai beach. First, it's the breathtaking scenery. As you look down the black sand beach with the surf smashing into the rocks and spilling over on to the beach, you think it goes on forever. It actually extends 60 kilometers to the North. Moving toward the colony, you will see an almost 90 degree angle of an island. When you get used to the scenery, it's the bird's themselves. They arrive there amidst the chaos. There are estimated to be 1,200 of the birds weighing in at 2.5 kg's each fighting for space on the island. They nest just centimeters apart and lay one egg. The Parents take turns on the nest adding to the chaos (each has a wingspan of almost 2 meters). The chicks hatch and begin the process of getting feathers on their wings. They are destined for a one-shot take off (miss it and you fall into the ocean) that will lead them on an adventure that will see them cross the Tasman to Australia. The survivors will return a few years later to the site and repeat the process. The colony is an hour's drive from Auckland. It is well signposted (head to Muriwai Beach) and provides parking. Once parked, you follow the walking... read more

Description:

Overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Piha, Muriwai beach is a wonder to behold. For a start, it is a true black sand beach. Then there is the surf. Don't wade in without taking a good look around. be sure only to be within the flags set out by the surf lifesaving team (it should be a clear note of warning that any beach requiring something called the "surf lifeguard team" requires some awareness). Watch the surfers and be amazed at the surf fisherman. It was possible to drive on the beach (it goes for 60 Km's), but limitations are in place now so check the signs. You can walk the beach or adjourn to the nearby Muriwai Golf course, one of the finest links courses in the country if not the world. The views from the golf course rival any of those on the western coast of the US. Lastly, as this is almost a purely western facing beach, check out the sunsets. They are truly amazing with surf, Pohutukawa trees and black sand all with the back drop of the disappearing sun.

Description:

This is a fine place to taste some top quality West Auckland wines. Group tasting is by appointment only, up to 25 people at a time. The tasting room has an open fire in the winter months. Other than the wine, the vineyard has a playground for the children, barbeque and picnic areas, and a petanque terrain. Although no tours are offered, visitors are invited to look around the vineyard grounds, but not the winery (for safety reasons). Wine can be purchased at the shop.

Our Local Expert Says:

Check out the museum at Huia on the drive through.

Description:

Overlooking the Manukau Harbour entrance and South Head, Whatipu is a wild wind and spray-driven beach popular for walking and surfcasting. Accessible from Huia along a twisty gravel road, Whatipu was once a major kauri (native timber) shipping port with a wharf built along Cutter Rock. Manukau Entrance was the scene of the sinking of the HMS Orpheus in 1863 with the loss of 189 souls. Some survivors managed to make it to Cutter Rock. See Orpheus artefacts at the small museum at Huia, open summer weekends.

Description:

The steep 30-minute walk from the car park to the lookout at the summit (elevation 390 metres) is well rewarded with spectacular views of the regenerating forests in the valleys and exposed steep slopes of the southern Waitakere Ranges. On clear days you can see Taranaki 200 kilometres to the south. Mt Donald McLean is accessible from a gravel road branching off from the main Huia-Whatipu road.

Description:

Acacia Cottage and Huia Lodge stand opposite each other in Cornwall Park near one end of the Olive Grove Road. Acacia Cottage was built in Shortland Street in the city in 1841 and is reputed to be the oldest wooden house in Auckland. It is a fine example of how the earliest little settler cottages were built and furnished. Huia Lodge was built between 1901-3. It is a delightful and cosy example of an early twentieth century timber lined home. It now functions as the Cornwall Park Visitors Information Centre.

Description:

This West Auckland vineyard is less than half an hour from the city but you would swear you were out in the country. Established in 1916, this company now exports to at least 14 countries worldwide. Tours can be organised by arrangement. Wine tasting for groups over 15 must be booked in advance. Casual tasting is also offered for one or two people at a time. There is a picnic area, a petanque terrain, and a well-stocked wine shop at which to purchase some of the product.

Description:

At 101 metres, Lion Rock towers over the windblown surf at Piha Beach and offers spectacular views of the black sand beach and bush-clad Waitakere Ranges to the west. Strongly fortified as a Maori pa or fortress in pre-European times, Lion Rock is the solidified lava plug of an ancient volcano that has since eroded away. A steep trail with steps cut out of the rock leads to the top. Give yourself about an hour for the return trip. Access is from the car park reached from Piha Road off Scenic Drive, the main route through the Waitakere Ranges.

Description:

Waiheke Island is the 2nd largest island in the Hauraki Gulf and is 17.7 kilometers from Auckland's CBD. it features many wineries (a new one every month it seems) and has one of New Zealand's best beaches, Onetangi. The easiest way for a visitor to get to Waiheke is by ferry. Ferries leave just about every hour on the hour (check the schedule as it varies on the weekend) and return until around 11 PM (earlier on Sunday). When you arrive at the Matiatia wharf, you can then select from the option of a taxi, public bus or hire car. There are many famous wineries and almost all of them have a restaurant on the premises to sample the wines and nibble some local delicacies. Two of the more popular wineries are Stonyridge and Mudbrick, but there really is no bad one. If you can pull yourself away from the vino, head to Onetangi beach for a walk or a swim. With views heading straight out to the Coromandel and one of the country's best white sand beaches, it is a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of Auckland.