BUSH AND BEACH WALKS

Piha beach and the surrounding area contain an abundance of awesome bush and beach walks. Piha Beachstay is located at the heart of the Waitakere Ranges with easy access to all of the nearby walks.

Tasman view Lookout - Click here for location link on Google maps and The Gap - Click here for location link on Google maps

Piha has a interesting history dating from the early days of the Maori - Te Kawerau a Maki during the 17th Century through to the European Settlers arriving in the 1830's -40's. Kauri Timber Milling endured over the 1850's to 1930's..

Black Rock Dam - Click here for location link on Google maps
To help transport the kauri logs to the mill, as many as 100 dams were built in the ranges during the 19th and early 20th centuries, some of which can still be found, most notably Black Rock Dam.Some wooden stringers remain in place over the Piha Stream.

Probably the most remarkable acheivement was the 14 km Tramway taking timber down the coast along beaches and over steep bluffs to the Paratutae Wharf at Whatipu.

Mt Zion to Pararaha Valley - Click here for location link on Google maps

By the time the timber fellers had finished they had taken 1.2 million cubic metres of timber leaving bare hills and a few remote stands of mature kauri.

With the development of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park the forest is well on the way to a full recovery.

Kitekite falls- Click here for location link on Google maps
Kitekite Falls is a short 30min walk (one-way) into the splendid isolation of this valley of native rainforest. This is a great place to swim in summer (or in winter if you are really keen) Recently a history of the Kauri Tree Logging in the area has been presented with displays along the track to Kitekite falls.

Mt Maungaroa and Kitenui Lookout - Click here for location link on Google maps

The Geological History of the Waitakere Ranges dates back 22 million years to when the Waitakere Volcano erupted from the sea floor for 7 million years. It gradually grew until it was 50km in diameter and 3000m in height forming islands above the ocean. You can see the rock of the waitakeres is a mixture of rocks, gravel sand and water from the underwater lahars.

About 16 million years ago the Waitakere Volcano was thrust up out of the sea and was slowly eroded over the next 10 million years leaving behind the ridges, gullies and volcanic bombs.

Mercer Bay Loop Track - Click here for location link on Google maps
Panaromic views of the Tasman and Whatipu beach from the steep 200m cliffs. Carry on from here down to Karekare beach.

Lion Rock - click here for link to location on Google maps
This iconic island in the middle of the beach resembles a sitting lion. You can climb over halfway up the back to get a great view of the beach.

Whites Beach and Te Waha Pt- Click here for location link on Google maps

Karekare Falls and Werera Lookout - Click here for location link on Google maps

Scenic Drive and Piha Road Area.

Upper Nihotupu Dam - Click here for location link on Google maps
From Piha Road and an easy 4km return (1.5 hrs). View the waterfall, reservoir and dam.

Fairy Falls - Click here for location link on Google maps
From the Scenic Drive carpark, explore the mature kauri forest, dramatic waterfalls and the views of Auckland City

Waitakere Dam - Click here for location link on Google maps
From Scenic Drive this walk offers variety with the dam and reservoir, many large Kauri and the historic tramline with tunnel.