Top Things to do in Waitakere City
The 7 Best Things to Do in Waitakere City, New Zealand
Discover the best top things to do in Waitakere City, New Zealand including Arataki Visitor Centre, CraftWorld, Hillary Trail, Lake Wainamu, Te Huia Tours, Mokoroa Falls, Artisan Wines.
Restaurants in Waitakere City
1. Arataki Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
The Arataki Visitor Centre is the gateway to the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, with more than 16,000 hectares of native rainforest and coastline. It's 250km of walking and tramping tracks provide access to Beaches, breathtaking views, and spectacular rocky outcrops, including the Hillary Trail, black sand Beaches, Waterfalls and giant kauri trees. The Park Rangers here will help you make the most of your visit. They know the latest track and weather conditions and the directions to the best places in the Park. If you are staying in the Park overnight, ask for the best camping & campervan sites.
Reviewed By Ranger145 - Mancos, Colorado
Loved this visitor center and the nature trails at it's location! The views were amazing with well maintained trails. The staff inside the center go above and beyond to answer any questions you might have. Make the effort to get to this beautiful site!
2. CraftWorld
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By SINWSSS - Singapore, Singapore
We visited CraftWorld enroute to Muriwai; it's an easy 20-30 minute drive from downtown Auckland and worth a visit if you are looking for locally made and unique gifts (not run of the mill China made stuff). Offerings include soft toys, apparel, accessories, stationery and...MoreWe appreciate your feedback. You're right, the drive isn't so bad and the products you'll find at CraftWorld definitely make it worth it.
3. Hillary Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By RoSteve
This is a great walk. It is tough and hilly but the views and variety make up for every step. From lush inland nikau plams and tui to the wild windswept west coast sand dunes. Up and over , down and around through streams and past trig stations. This is not to be underestimated or for the timid. Prepare for it as you would The Routeburn or The Milford, but stop for a hot feed at Piha and the Bethels caravan. Finish with 3 cups of tea in Muriwai - you'll need it.
4. Lake Wainamu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By vrangad04 - Hyderabad, India
Dear Madam/Sir,
RE: Lake Wainamu and its surrounding areas of Waitakere region near Auckland provides an out of the world magical experience.
The walking tracks leads to beautiful dessert like sand dunes and the trek could be nothing short of a surreal feeling.
The magical sand dunes soon leads to a mystic lake where swimming and diving is permitted.
The oasis lake has a stream walk that takes us back to the starting point.
One really needs to complete the entire exercise of climbing up the sand dunes and enjoy the walk back along the streaming water to feel blessed and heavenly about this place.
A delightful and never before experience with nature.
Thank You
5. Te Huia Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
Until we stopped providing tours in Dec 2016. We were a New Zealand based tour company providing special eco friendly, outdoor scenic day tours in the beautiful native forest & Beaches of the Waitakere Ranges in Auckland. Our website now instead provides inspiration for visitors to go see and visit in the Waitakere Rannges on their own. check our website or Instagram and get inspired and plan your next adventure to The Waitakere Ranges
Reviewed By Heidi E - Hamburg, Germany
We remember the great 1/2 day tour with Te Huia Tours and our great guide Michael. We enjoyed all the beautiful and spectacular points at Te Huia Tours:
The wonderful Arataki Visitor Center, Michaels interesting information, the breathtaking views to rainforest and the spectacular coastline.
The walk to the Karekare Falls and to the impressive Karekare Beach (we remembered the filming location for “The Piano”).
The walk at the beautiful Mercer Bay Loop Track along the highest seacliffs of the region with fantastic views to Piha Beach and Karekare Beach.
And at last our nice stay, enjoying an ice-cream in an easy-going atmosphere at the Piha Beach with the Lion Rock.
It was the best tour with the best tour guide ever - unforgettable!
Hans (77) and Heidi (69) from Germany
6. Mokoroa Falls
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Nicola R - Auckland Central, New Zealand
One of the best walks in Auckland I have ever done! The loop track along the Mokoroa Stream was breathtaking - even got a "woooahhh" out of my boyfriend who is usually pretty blase about scenery! Tons of river crossings, muddy tracks and guessing where to go, such an awesome weekend adventure.
7. Artisan Wines
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By FoodRocks10 - Auckland
My husband and I had a Sunday lunch at the Artisan Restaurant recently. The service was fantastic and the food very enjoyable. The generous portions were probably the only justification for the $30 main courses - which were very tasty, but in no way fine dining. Location/setting is lovely. We also did a wine tasting and purchased some wine - again, excellent service.
