Seasoned traveller Lisa Jansen discovers there’s more to Auckland than traffic jams and big city lights. In fact, it’s a surprising mecca well worth exploring and spending some time.
Auckland – for many travellers, New Zealand’s biggest city is the traffic jam that separates beautiful Northland from the rest of the country. Often, the goal is to get through the city as quickly as possible.
However, it might be worth slowing down a bit the next time you pass through. Anyone who takes the time to venture off the motorway will quickly realise there’s much more to the city than gridlocks and big city lights. From beach holidays to hiking adventures and farm stays, Auckland offers all that and more.
Here are five fun holiday ideas that might be worth checking out next time you’re passing through town or inspire you to make this your next destination visit.
The Farm Holiday at Ambury Farm Park
Did you know you can enjoy a back-to-basics farm holiday only 20 minutes from Auckland CBD? Ambury Farm Park is one of Auckland’s 28 regional parks and a working farm. Located in Mangere Bridge, southwest of Auckland City, on the shores of the Manukau Harbour, the area is home to numerous farm animals, including cows, sheep, horses, goats, pigs, chickens, and more. Many of the animals are used to humans and you can get close enough to pet them. On weekends, the farm team often invites visitors to observe common farm activities, such as milking and sheep shearing, making Ambury Farm Park a great place to visit with children (and animal-loving adults).
The park also has many beautiful walks and is a significant habitat for shorebirds. In addition, the coast has examples of basalt lava flows. With so much to explore, staying a few days might just be the perfect way to experience it all.
The campground is located in the middle of the park, surrounded by bushes and green fields. There are some hardstands, and after rain, it’s a good idea to use those, as it can get muddy. When it’s dry, there’s a big grassy area allowing campers to spread out. The campground itself only has a long-drop toilet and a simple sink. However, there are flushing toilets and even a hot shower in the park buildings by the entrance (about a five- to 10-minute walk).
The Urban Beach Holiday at Takapuna
If you love the beach but also enjoy being close to restaurants, shops, cafes and other big-city attractions, you should plan a stay at Takapuna Beach Holiday Park. The campground is among the more pricy ones in New Zealand and sometimes gets criticised for its old and basic facilities. However, for many, the location will more than make up for that.
The park sits beside the popular Takapuna Beach (a great spot for walks and to watch the sunrise) and offers sites with stunning views of the Waitematā Harbour and Rangitoto Island. In summer, you can hire kayaks, standup paddleboards, jet skis, and other gear on the beach or at the car park next to the campground. There’s also a public boat ramp meters from the holiday park.
The highly rated Takapuna Beach Café is right next to the campground, and the countless other cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops in Takapuna are only a short walk away.
Takapuna Beach Holiday Park is also one of the closest campgrounds to Auckland CBD. With busses leaving regularly just up the road, it’s a great spot to base yourself while exploring the sights of New Zealand’s biggest city.
If you can’t choose between beach and city, Takapuna Beach Holiday Park is the perfect destination for you.
The Quiet Beach Holiday at Muriwai
Do you love the beach but want something quieter than Takapuna? Auckland has an excellent option for you. Muriwai Beach, northwest of Auckland CBD, is a stunning, wild west coast beach that feels a world away from the busy city. Famous for its dramatic black sand, rugged cliffs, and unruly surf, Muriwai is perfect for those looking for a relaxing beach holiday on their way through Auckland.
Muriwai is an excellent spot for long walks, surfing, fishing, and kitesurfing. Unfortunately, the walkway to the famous Gannet Colony has been closed since the devastating cyclone in 2022. However, you might be lucky to spot the birds from the beach or the Maukatia car park. Located on the southern end of the beach, a large colony of gannets nests here from August to March, creating a spectacular sight (and sound).
There are also several other walkways around Muriwai village and in the nearby forest. In addition, there’s a golf course, tennis courts, a small skate park, a playground, and a café/deli/shop along Motutara Road (note that the café down by the beach has recently closed).
The Muriwai Beach Campground offers powered and unpowered sites and modern facilities set amidst the coastal bush, providing a tranquil atmosphere – and some of the best campground showers in all of New Zealand. Pets are also welcome, making the campground an excellent stopover for those travelling with furry friends.
The Back-to-Nature Holiday on the Āwhitu Peninsula
Right: Āwhitu Peninsula is a hidden gem
The Āwhitu Peninsula, located southwest of Auckland City, is a hidden gem. If it weren’t for the fact that you can see Auckland’s skyline from the peninsula, you could easily forget you’re in New Zealand’s largest city. Admittedly, it’s a bit of a detour, with the northern end of the peninsula over an hour’s drive from the motorway. However, for those who love exploring remote, natural beauty, it will be more than worth it.
With its sheltered beaches on the east, wild black sandy beaches on the west, and rolling green hills in the middle, the peninsula is almost a mini–New Zealand (without the mountains), and there’s lots to explore.
Visit the lighthouse at the northern end of the peninsula, go for a walk in Āwhitu Regional Park, stop at Pollo Arts Co-op gallery, swim in the calm water on the east, and check out Hamilton’s Gap for a dose of wild west coast.
There’s a basic but scenic campground within Āwhitu Regional Park. For those who like it slightly less basic, Big Bay Holiday Park offers powered sites, hot showers, and a small shop. There’s also a beautiful freedom camping spot at Hamilton’s Gap.
The Hiking Holiday in the Hunua Ranges
Right; For hiking enthusiasts, Auckland’s Hunua Ranges are an ideal holiday destination
For hiking enthusiasts, Auckland’s Hunua Ranges are an ideal holiday destination. Located southeast of Auckland city, the ranges are the largest native forest area in the region and are home to some fantastic walking tracks.
While some of the tracks in the park are currently closed to prevent the spread of kauri dieback, there are still plenty to choose from, including easy, family-friendly walks and more challenging hikes. A must-see is the stunning Hunua Falls, a 30-metre-high waterfall that’s easily accessible from the car park. Beyond the falls, the Wairoa Loop Track and Cossey Gorge Track (as well as countless other tracks) offer more opportunities to delve deeper into the bush and discover the beauty of the ranges.
While there are multiple campgrounds within the Huna Ranges, most are accessible by foot only. Certified Self-Containment (CSC) campervans can stay overnight for a maximum of two nights at Hunua Falls overnight parking area and Upper Mangatāwhiri overnight parking area.
Another excellent option is to stay at one of the campsites along the east coast, with simple Regional Park campgrounds as well as full-service holiday parks on offer.
These are just five examples of fun camping holidays you can have in Auckland. Whether you’re after farm life, beach vibes, or hiking adventures, it’s worth considering adding Auckland to your list of potential trips for 2025. Or next time you’re passing through, consider slowing down and exploring a little further – you could be pleasantly surprised by what you find.
