Most visitors don’t realise Auckland is bracketed by two enormous regional parks — the Waitakere Ranges to the west and the Hunua Ranges to the south — plus a harbour full of walkable volcanic islands. All of the walks below are inside 90 minutes’ drive of the city, ideal for anyone renting a car in Auckland for a few days.
For hikes further afield, jump to our best hikes on the North Island guide.
West: Waitakere Ranges
1. Karekare Falls & Beach loop
~2 hours · easy–moderate
Combine the short falls walk with a stroll onto the wild black-sand beach where The Piano was filmed. Kauri dieback stations at every entry — clean your shoes.
2. Fairy Falls Track
~1.5 hours return · easy
Cascade waterfall through native bush. Great for families and photographers.
3. Mercer Bay Loop
~1 hour · easy · clifftop
Short, spectacular, and often overlooked. Sunset here is unbeatable.
4. Te Henga Walkway
~4 hours one-way · moderate
Coastal ridgeline between Bethells and Muriwai. Wildflowers in spring, gannets year-round.
East and inner harbour
5. Rangitoto Summit
~3.5 hours · ferry from downtown
600-year-old volcano. Walk up through lava fields to a 360° summit view of the Hauraki Gulf. Take the ferry from the CBD — no rental needed for this one.
6. Motutapu → Rangitoto crossing
~5 hours · easy · beach + volcano
Ferry to Motutapu, walk across the causeway to Rangitoto, summit, ferry back from Rangitoto Wharf.
South: Hunua Ranges
7. Hunua Falls Loop
~1 hour · easy
25 m waterfall an hour south of the CBD. Extend on the Cossey’s Gorge track for a proper half-day walk.
8. Wairoa Loop Track
~4 hours · moderate
Fewer people, more birdsong. The best of Hunua if you want quiet.
North: Mahurangi & Whangaparāoa
9. Shakespear Regional Park Coastal Loop
~3 hours · easy · Whangaparāoa
Pest-free sanctuary — expect takahē, tīeke and quails on the track. Beaches on both sides.
10. Wenderholm Puhoi Track
~2.5 hours · easy · North
Coastal + native bush combo, an hour north of the city. Perfect stop en route to Northland.
Getting to the trailheads
Public transport reaches almost none of these — a rental is by far the easiest way. Any 2 berth campervan does the job for the paved trailheads; if you’re heading up the Hunua gravel roads or exploring less-visited Waitakere valleys, a campervan suited to sealed-road touring is more comfortable.
Choosing a Nomado campervan for this trip
Choose the layout around who is travelling and how long you will be on the road. Couples often value an easy-to-drive 2 berth campervan, while families and groups benefit from the beds, kitchen, bathroom and storage in a 6 berth campervan. Compare the full Nomado campervan range before requesting a quote.
Plan and book your campervan
Start with Nomado’s campervan rental Auckland options. Rentals include unlimited kilometres and unlimited drivers, with Auckland and Christchurch pickup options and one-way hire available on eligible routes. Check how booking works and request a personalised quote for your dates.
