6 best day trips from Auckland

Day trips compared

The day trips

21 km · About 40 minutes by ferry

1.Waiheke Island

Vineyards, olive groves and white-sand bays such as Onetangi make Waiheke Auckland's favourite escape. Use local buses or a winery tour to get around, and plan a long lunch at a cellar door.

Getting there

Ferry from the Downtown Ferry Terminal to Matiatia

Best for

Couples, Food lovers, Beach

42 km · About 45 minutes by car

2.Muriwai gannet colony

On a headland above Muriwai's long black-sand surf beach, thousands of Australasian gannets nest from about August to March, close enough to watch from viewing platforms. The beach itself has dangerous surf; swim only between the flags.

Getting there

Car or tour; no practical public transport

Best for

Families, Quiet stays, First-timers

30 km · About 75 minutes by ferry

3.Tiritiri Matangi Island

An open bird sanctuary cleared of predators and replanted by volunteers, where takahē, kōkako, saddleback and other rare native birds live in the wild. Guided walks with volunteers are offered on arrival.

Getting there

Ferry from downtown Auckland via Gulf Harbour (selected days)

Best for

Families, Quiet stays, Culture

75 km · About 1 hour by car

4.Matakana and Goat Island

Matakana village has a Saturday farmers' market, wineries and cafés, and nearby Goat Island became New Zealand's first marine reserve in 1975, where snapper and other fish swim close to shore for snorkellers.

Getting there

Car

Best for

Food lovers, Families, Couples

165 km · About 2 hours by car

5.Hobbiton Movie Set

The Shire set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films sits on a working farm near Matamata, with 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn on guided tours.

Getting there

Car or organised coach tour

Best for

Families, First-timers

200 km · About 2.5 hours by car

6.Waitomo Caves

Boats glide beneath ceilings lit by thousands of glowworms in the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, and nearby operators run black-water rafting and abseiling trips through the limestone caves.

Getting there

Car or organised tour

Best for

Families, First-timers

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• Tag on and off with an AT HOP card to get lower fares and free transfers.
• Suburban rail lines run from Waitematā (Britomart) station to the south, east and west, with useful stops at Newmarket, Mount Eden and Kingsland.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask