With a population of 1.7 million residents, Auckland isn’t just New Zealand’s most popular place to call home, it’s also a gateway for some of the best natural wonders that the often underrated North Island has to offer.

Having recently spent time as a student living and studying in Auckland, venturing out of the hustle and bustle of city life proved crucial in providing a mental and physical reset. From rafting stunning rivers to snorkelling blooming marine reserves, here are the five adventures I enjoyed the most.

Next time you find yourself in New Zealand, be sure to explore this list of adventures near Auckland!

Glow worms in Waipu Caves

Piha Beach

Te Paki Dunes

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Best Weekend Trips Near Auckland

1. Piha – For swimming, surfing, beach days, and iconic views

Time from Auckland: 55 minutes
Distance from Auckland: 40km

Let’s kick off with an iconic destination! The closest getaway from Auckland on this list is to the stunning Black Sand Beaches of the West Coast, specifically Piha.

Piha continuously features in lists of the world’s best beaches and I completely understand why. It’s a destination I frequented multiple times during my exchange and it became a place of great relaxation and comfort. On more than one occasion, it took my breath away.

There are camping and hostel options at Piha for those who wish to stay overnight. It’s also the perfect distance away to visit after the working week for a few hours to debrief while watching a sunset or having a beach swim.

Read more: How to Stay Safe at the Beach

While so much of the planet becomes overpopulated and over-consumed, it’s amazing that such a serene location under an hour away from a major international city can exist and remain relatively low-key. 

Bonus Tip

For those looking for a similar experience with fewer crowds, a visit to Bethells Beach (a 40-minute drive north) is equally worth it!

Don’t miss the chance to watch sunset from Piha, it’s something special

2. Omaha – For surfing, climbing, and snorkelling

Time from Auckland: 1 hour 10 minutes
Distance from Auckland: 78km

When it comes to outdoor sports, are you a jack of all trades but a master of none? If your answer is ‘yes’ (welcome to the club!), then a weekend trip away to Omaha is for you!

Snorkel at Goat Island Marine Reserve and see countless native fish, birds, and even a ray or dolphin if you’re lucky. There’s a snorkel shop extremely close by in Leigh where you can hire gear (or BYO snorkel set). There are commercial diving options too.

Then head 5-10 minutes down the road to Ti Point for some epic coastal cliff climbing. Make sure to bring your own gear and be aware of tide times for the best access to the crags.

Read more: How To Prepare For (And Recover From) Your Weekend Send

 

 

Finally, drive around the bend for another 15 minutes to arrive at Omaha Beach – on a good day you can catch some clean 1-3 foot waves here. It’s perfect for those of us who are good but not yet great!

This diverse all-round adventure with activities suitable for most levels of outdoor fun will last you the entire weekend.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Safety always comes first so be mindful of conditions and bring a mate along

3. Waipu and Surrounds – For beachfront camping, surfing, caving, tramping/hiking

Time from Auckland: 1 hour 40 minutes
Distance from Auckland: 124km

During our drive up to Te Rerenga Wairua/Cape Reinga (see below), an overnight stop at the Uretiti Beach DOC Campsite was a welcome surprise for me and my fellow Explorers. Waking up a minute’s walk from the beach with Whangārei Heads cradling the horizon was nothing short of majestic.

At just $15 a night, and a stone’s throw from the major highway, this little campsite is a perfect stop for a low-effort camping weekend away. The $2 hot showers at the site only add to its charm.

Even more exciting was discovering that Waipu Caves are only a 20-minute drive away! We ventured here for some self-guided caving that led us to a glow worm light display. Don’t forget your head torches! Some waterproof shoes make this adventure pretty accessible!

While the area is riddled with good tramping options, if you want to chase a good view, give the Mount Manaia Track a crack at sunrise or sunset. After about an hour on the track, you’ll find some fantastic scenery that’s well worth the climb!

Camping somewhere this stunning was adventure enough, but we ended up finding so much more!

4. Kaituna River near Okere Falls – For White Water Rafting

Time from Auckland: 2 hours 55 minutes
Distance from Auckland: 246km

As a white-water enthusiast, it’s my duty to advocate for all comers to New Zealand to raft (or kayak) the Kaituna River, including a descent down Tutea Falls. At over 7m tall, this waterfall is the largest commercially rafted falls on the planet. Tutea has been a bucket list adventure of mine since I was six, and sending it down the rapids was the adrenaline-packed adventure I had craved.

 

Looking frothy!

 

Situated under a three-hour drive from Auckland, this is the perfect overnight trip to help you return to work refreshed with a new perspective. Sure, you have a big project due, but remember how you propelled yourself down a 7m waterfall on the weekend and were at the mercy of its raw power?

This one is also pretty accessible, with multiple tour companies offering runs on the Tutea section of the Kaituna. Get stuck in!

Make sure to visit the fantastic Okere Falls Store and Craft Beer Garden post your rafting run for a debrief drink or two.

 

Few slippery dips to practice before the big one!

 

Bonus Adventure

If you find you love the highs of chasing whitewater, another niche rafting escapade is Access 14 on the Tongariro River. This Grade 4 run may be harder to get to, particularly as it can only be commercially run twice a year on dam release – but that just makes it extra special!

Any adventure that relies on the elements is a little harder to plan, but a little more special as a result

5. Te Paki Recreation Reserve – For sand dunes, swimming, fishing, snorkelling, tramping/hiking

Time from Auckland: 5 hours 30 minutes
Distance from Auckland: 411km

Despite a longer drive, this region makes for a worthwhile long weekend adventure in an extremely unique landscape. The reserve holds great significance at its peak of Te Rerenga Wairua/Cape Reinga as the point where wairua/spirits return to their traditional homeland of Hawaiki. It’s a special destination, idyllic in scenery and abundant in activities, that everyone can enjoy.

Take, for instance, the Te Paki sand dunes, which take you from farmland to sweeping desert plains in an instant. These volcanically formed sand deposits are a popular place to sandboard down, with some rides stretching up to 150m in length. Boards can be hired from multiple stores on the way to and near the dunes, but you can also bring your own.

What goes up, must come down

Featured Event

Belangoloopy – Paddy Pallin Intro Rogain

  • Start Date: Jun 15, 2025
  • Venue: Belanglo State Forest

Come enjoy a classic 6 hour Paddy Pallin rogaine that is only a short drive from Sydney or Canberra! We’ll be using our navigation skills to explore stunning native forest. There will be plenty of route options for all ages,...

See Event Details See More Events
Belangoloopy – Paddy Pallin Intro Rogain, NSW Rogaining

Don’t be scared to get creative; a boogie board, finless surfboard, or our less successful blue tarp could get you sliding along. Just be sure to play it safe.

This region also boasts some amazing campsites, such as Kapowairua (Spirits Bay), where fishing, snorkelling, and hiking/tramping are all accessible. This includes some shorter single-day hikes and the multi-day Te Paki Coastal Track.

Ultimately, it’s the perfect location to spend some time completely present in an environment unlike any other and enjoy it in your own personally fulfilling way.

Weekend trips near Auckland don’t get much better than this

It feels like another world

FAQs Weekend Trips From Auckland

Where can I go sand boarding near Auckland?

Head to Te Paki Recreation Reserve for massive sand dunes and adrenaline-pumping rides. Boards can be rented nearby.

What’s the best place for a snorkelling trip near Auckland?

Goat Island Marine Reserve is the go-to spot, with crystal-clear waters and loads of marine life. Gear rentals are available in Leigh.

Where can I camp by the beach near Auckland?

Uretiti Beach DOC Campsite near Waipu offers beachfront camping, hot showers, and easy access to caves and hikes.

What’s the best whitewater rafting experience near Auckland?

The Kaituna River (around 3 hours away) is home to the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall – Tutea Falls at 7m!

Is it worth the drive to Te Paki Recreation Reserve?

Absolutely! Though it’s a 5.5-hour drive (411 km) from Auckland, Te Paki offers a surreal desert-like landscape, massive sand dunes for sandboarding, and access to the Te Paki Coastal Track. Nearby Kapowairu (Spirits Bay) also provides stunning scenery and excellent camping options.

How far is Piha Beach from Auckland, and what can you do there?

Piha Beach is about 55 minutes (40km) from Auckland. It’s famous for its black sand, strong surf, and breathtaking sunsets. You can swim, surf, explore Lion Rock, or relax on the beach. For fewer crowds, Bethells Beach is a great alternative nearby. If you’re chasing relaxing weekend trips near Auckland, you can’t go wrong with this spot.

Whoever named Goat Island was really on the money, absolute GOAT material

More Idea For Weekend Trips Near Auckland

This piece was brought to you by a real living human who felt the wind in their hair and described their adventure in their own words. This is because we rate authenticity and the sharing of great experiences in the natural world – it’s all part of our ethos here at We Are Explorers. You can read more about it in our Editorial Standards.