Wilderness Tour

Auckland Scenic Tours, Auckland Shore Excursions, West Coast Black Sand Beach and Gannets!

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Auckland Shore Excursions, Auckland Scenic Tours, Small group tours, Tours in Auckland, Day trips in Auckland and Private Tours in Auckland. After your Auckland city pick-up at 9am (from all central accommodations and cruise ship ports), you bid farewell to the Pacific Ocean on the East coast. You’ll head through the Auckland suburbs on your way out West, to the Arataki Visitor Centre situated in the Waitakere Ranges. Along the way, you will see these hills in the distance…(these are in fact remnants of ancient volcanoes). The height of these peaks (-400m above sea-level-), force the prevailing Westerly clouds to “dump" their moisture there, causing a micro rainforest environment. The forest is something to behold, and you’ll be right in the thick of it…you’ll truly feel a world away, and yet, you are never anymore than a few miles (-approx 40 minutes-) from the heart of downtown Auckland city! Breathe in the clean, crisp air of the Arataki Bush and Nature reserve. See Auckland’s two harbours, and the surrounding Auckland landscape. PS. Gannets are migratory birds and the colony has no birds between May and August --- About this tour

- Minimum 2 persons
- This full day tour operates all year round.
- Pick-up from ALL inner city accommodations
- 9am…Return approx 4:30 pm (NOTE: times adjusted for cruise boats).
- LUNCH beverage included (wine purchased at your expense)
- Small group, fully guided travel, in our 11-seater minibus
- BOOK THIS TOUR NOW ---

After your Auckland city pick-up (from all central accommodations and cruise ship ports), you bid farewell to the Pacific Ocean on the East coast. You’ll head through the Auckland suburbs on your way out West, to the Arataki Visitor Centre situated in the Waitakere Ranges. Along the way, you will see these hills in the distance…(these are in fact remnants of ancient volcanoes). The height of these peaks (-400m above sea-level-), force the prevailing Westerly clouds to “dump" their moisture there, causing a micro rainforest environment. The forest is something to behold, and you’ll be right in the thick of it…you’ll truly feel a world away, and yet, you are never anymore than a few miles (-approx 40 minutes-) from the heart of downtown Auckland city! Breathe in the clean, crisp air of the Arataki Bush and Nature reserve. See Auckland’s two harbours, and the surrounding Auckland landscape. PS. Gannets are migratory birds and the colony has no birds between May and August, closed now due to Cyclone Gabriel

Quick Tip ----- Quick Tip

ARATAKI means “place of learning" in Maori - The Visitor Centre is full of displays!

When you are searching for an Auckland tour that visits the Arataki Centre, do be sure to choose one that is legally registered with the Auckland Council to take tourists there,

(and one that will actually take you through on a guided tour, not does just a “stop and drop"!)

Coast to Coast Tours is legally registered, and guarantees you a guided tour at Arataki. ----

Later, we meander our way down the Scenic Drive, to our next stop at CraftWorld( close since Covid -19).

Quick Tip ----- Quick Tip

WINE-TASTING – In Kumeu, the “historic" wine region of New Zealand. Please request before the tour starts as booking is essential and your own cost.

When you are searching for an Auckland tour that goes wine-tasting,
do be sure to choose one that has the wine-tasting included tour , when available.


ALL of the Coast to Coast Tours wine tastings are exclusive, however you welcome to purchase wines and tastings. ----

By this time, we trust you have your appetite ready, because next comes lunch and just a light snack to keep your energy levels up.

Quick Tip ----- Quick Tip

Snack – also includes one beverage too! (soda/tea/coffee/fruit juice).


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After your relaxing lunch break, we travel further westward to Muriwai Beach. This area is steeped in history, (and having seen the forest region that morning, you will really appreciate the stories we will share with you as we approach the coast). Almost at cliff’s edge (well, not really!), you’ll get the impressive view of the Tasman Sea. From this point, you are just 2,000Km from Australia! Usually there are some surfers braving the waters and maybe some para-gliders catching the updrafts. You’ll get your chance to wander down onto the black iron-sand beach later, but firstly we escort you out to meet the wildlife. It’s a gentle walk to viewing decks to see the Takap