Auckland: Coast & Rainforest Eco-Tour With Picnic Lunch
Start your day trip to the windswept western coastline north of Auckland with pickup from your city hotel. After a short drive, you’ll arrive at the Arataki Visitor Centre, considered the gateway to the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, which contains more than 39,500 acres (16,000 hectares) of rugged coast and rainforest. From the panoramic decks, enjoy sweeping views of the Tasman Sea extending all the way to the Pacific. View traditional Maori carvings on display while your guide focuses on the natural and cultural heritage of the area. Continue further west to the coastal rainforest and learn about native flora and fauna unique to New Zealand — 70 percent of which can be found nowhere else in the world. Walk alongside giant tree ferns growing near the stream, then dig your toes in the black sands of one of the region’s notorious beaches, bordered by rocky outcrops. Enjoy a picnic lunch, served at a scenic location, before continuing your journey to an old-growth forest of giant kauri trees, some of them 1,000 years old. Listen for native birds as you walk among thee majestic giants, then re-board your vehicle for the return to Auckland. *please note areas visited will differ depending on weather & fitness levels of the clients on the day. MODERATE LEVEL OF FITNESS REQUIRED. This tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues. The walks involve stairs and gradient changes.
Highlights
- ✓Focus on the scenery as someone else transports you between sights
- ✓Panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean
- ✓Transportation by vehicle helps you see more in less time
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off from Auckland are include for ease
What you'll see & do
- ✓After pick up from your Auckland city centre hotel we have a short (30min) drive to the Arataki Visitor Centre – gateway to the coastal rainforest. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over the rainforest back to the city and across to Auckland’s southern harbour. The visitors centre is also home to some traditional Maori carvings and your guide will talk about them and explain their significance for the area. Your eco-tour includes a guided hike in an area of original rainforest where ancient kauri trees tower over the unique trees and plants that have developed separately from the rest of the world for millions of years. Your experienced guide will explain about the local plants and animals as you walk through the forest. *This hike includes stairs
- ✓After lunch, hike the clifftop tracks with stunning views along the coast and out across the Tasman Sea.
- ✓During the day we go to an awe-inspiring west coast beach where you can walk along the soft black sand beach, watch the surf waves crashing in and feel the clear ocean breeze. This unique small group tour operator is a Qualmark Endorsed Visitor Activity and provides expert guided eco-tours in the greater Auckland region - a company delivering a quality product focusing on the natural and cultural heritage of the area. As well as keeping you entertained and informed, our guides will make sure you have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and make sure there are lots of photo opportunities. We have been running tours in this area for over 34 years so you will be being looked after by the local experts.
- ✓Enjoy a rainforest walk in the Waitakere Ranges
What's included
- ✓Light refreshments
- ✓Local guide
- ✓GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- ✓Picnic lunch
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop off
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
High level of fitness required.
Please note: tour includes a minimum of 3x 1 hour short hikes, including stairs and hills
Not recommended for travelers who find stairs challenging
Not recommended for travelers with any kind of mobility issues
Not recommended for young children
Departure Point: Tour departs from selected Auckland hotels, if your hotel is not in the list above please advise of Hotel name upon booking. Pick up time must be reconfirmed with Bush and Beach if you have not already contacted us. Pick ups are before the tour start time. Return point: Returns to original departure point
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Auckland: Coast & Rainforest Eco-Tour With Picnic Lunch
Start your day trip to the windswept western coastline north of Auckland with pickup from your city hotel. After a short drive, you’ll arrive at the Arataki Visitor Centre, considered the gateway to the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, which contains more than 39,500 acres (16,000 hectares) of rugged coast and rainforest. From the panoramic decks, enjoy sweeping views of the Tasman Sea extending all the way to the Pacific. View traditional Maori carvings on display while your guide focuses on the natural and cultural heritage of the area. Continue further west to the coastal rainforest and learn about native flora and fauna unique to New Zealand — 70 percent of which can be found nowhere else in the world. Walk alongside giant tree ferns growing near the stream, then dig your toes in the black sands of one of the region’s notorious beaches, bordered by rocky outcrops. Enjoy a picnic lunch, served at a scenic location, before continuing your journey to an old-growth forest of giant kauri trees, some of them 1,000 years old. Listen for native birds as you walk among thee majestic giants, then re-board your vehicle for the return to Auckland. *please note areas visited will differ depending on weather & fitness levels of the clients on the day. MODERATE LEVEL OF FITNESS REQUIRED. This tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues. The walks involve stairs and gradient changes.
Highlights
- ✓Focus on the scenery as someone else transports you between sights
- ✓Panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean
- ✓Transportation by vehicle helps you see more in less time
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off from Auckland are include for ease
What you'll see & do
- ✓After pick up from your Auckland city centre hotel we have a short (30min) drive to the Arataki Visitor Centre – gateway to the coastal rainforest. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over the rainforest back to the city and across to Auckland’s southern harbour. The visitors centre is also home to some traditional Maori carvings and your guide will talk about them and explain their significance for the area. Your eco-tour includes a guided hike in an area of original rainforest where ancient kauri trees tower over the unique trees and plants that have developed separately from the rest of the world for millions of years. Your experienced guide will explain about the local plants and animals as you walk through the forest. *This hike includes stairs
- ✓After lunch, hike the clifftop tracks with stunning views along the coast and out across the Tasman Sea.
- ✓During the day we go to an awe-inspiring west coast beach where you can walk along the soft black sand beach, watch the surf waves crashing in and feel the clear ocean breeze. This unique small group tour operator is a Qualmark Endorsed Visitor Activity and provides expert guided eco-tours in the greater Auckland region - a company delivering a quality product focusing on the natural and cultural heritage of the area. As well as keeping you entertained and informed, our guides will make sure you have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and make sure there are lots of photo opportunities. We have been running tours in this area for over 34 years so you will be being looked after by the local experts.
- ✓Enjoy a rainforest walk in the Waitakere Ranges
What's included
- ✓Light refreshments
- ✓Local guide
- ✓GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- ✓Picnic lunch
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop off
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
High level of fitness required.
Please note: tour includes a minimum of 3x 1 hour short hikes, including stairs and hills
Not recommended for travelers who find stairs challenging
Not recommended for travelers with any kind of mobility issues
Not recommended for young children
Departure Point: Tour departs from selected Auckland hotels, if your hotel is not in the list above please advise of Hotel name upon booking. Pick up time must be reconfirmed with Bush and Beach if you have not already contacted us. Pick ups are before the tour start time. Return point: Returns to original departure point
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.