In New Zealand/Aotearoa’s largest city, beautiful sun-swept beaches of golden strips of sand aren’t hard to come by. Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau is nestled into two large harbours and provides a plethora of places to stretch out in the sun and embrace the turquoise blue of the ocean before you. In your Hertz rental car, exploring Auckland’s best beaches is made easy and convenient. All you need is your towel, some sunscreen, and an appetite for sunshine.
Embrace Adventure in Piha
Only an hour’s’ drive west of Auckland city on the North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui coast is the slice of paradise that is Piha. This seaside village is famous for its black-sand beaches and strong surf and is a popular summertime destination among locals. The rugged scenery that envelopes Piha Beach is the perfect backdrop as you hit the waves and catch a surf break or two. Explore the lush bushland behind the sand and make sure to check out the dramatic cliffs that bookmarkthe beach. For when you get hungry, head to the restaurant at the beachside surf club for a hearty feed and stunning views of the ocean. The nearby Waitakere Ranges make for the perfect destination to stretch your legs on some day hikes. This regional park boasts every kind of adventure from waterfalls, to walking trails and more of the region’s famous black-sand beaches. The 16,000 hectares of native rainforest provides limitless exploration, but make sure to check out the majestic and unmissable Karekare Falls when you’re traversing the lush forest.
Activities Galore at Mission Bay
Discover a seaside suburb with all the convenience of being close to the city at Mission Bay. Just east of Auckland central, this quaint coastal suburb offers boundless activities to fill your day, no matter the weather. For when the sun is shining and the waves are softly rolling in, head to the waterfront on Tamaki Drive and sprawl your towel out on the golden sand. Mission Bay is in close proximity to a range of incredible eateries for when you need to fill up on a feed, with the ocean view restaurant of Azabu Mission Bay located just a stone’s throw from the foreshore. If you’re after a more traditional beachside feed, make sure to check out The Seafood Collective Mission Bay for a good old-fashioned serving of fish’n’chips as you watch the tide tickle the shore. Further along the coastline, you can walk to both Kohimarama Beach and St Heliers Beach from Mission Bay and explore some of the more secluded spots by the water. If the weather takes a turn, you don’t need to worry—the strip of shops behind Mission Bay’s beach is home to a quaint cinema for all your rainy day needs.
Discover the Village at Takapuna Beach
It’s no secret that Auckland’s North Shore is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the region. Takapuna Beach is a favourite among locals and visitors alike, being both a hotspot for ocean swimming and boutique shopping. Make a day of it at Takapuna and squeeze in some window shopping in Takapuna Village on Hurstmere Road, just behind the foreshore. Among independent retailers and beloved brands in this shopping strip, you’ll also find some of the area’s best restaurants. Sakebar Nippon offers an exquisite slice of Japanese cuisine, while Botticelli Restaurant and Wine Bar delivers a cosy Italian dining experience. Back on Takapuna Beach, wander along the Lava trail for stunning views of the ocean as you traverse the beach’s foreshore. While Takapuna Beach is perfect for any kind of water activity—whether that be paddling in the waves or kayaking across the shimmering turquoise ocean blues—you can also head to the nearby Lake Pupuke for even more water-based adventure. Auckland’s only freshwater lake, Pupuke also makes for another great spot to stretch out and relax with a picnic in the sunshine.
Indulge in Relaxation at Long Bay Beach
Even though it’s a further drive north of Auckland’s city, Long Bay Beach is a slice of coastal paradise that you can’t skip out on. Thirty minutes from Auckland in your Hertz rental car, Long Bay delivers the perfect marriage of a sand-stripped bay lined with lush parklands of the regional park it borders. The nearby Browns Bay Beach Reserve means you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to splashing in the waves. If stunning coastal walks along the ocean’s shore is more your stride, Long Bay is the perfect beach for you. Wander from Long Bay Regional Park along the coastline and you’ll discover the dramatic sandstone cliff tops that fall into the ocean and unbeatable views of the water stretching out before you toward the Hauraki Gulf.
Whether it’s browsing the boutique shops in Takapuna or indulging in fish’n’chips on the golden sands of Mission Bay, it’s easy to discover Auckland’s best beaches in your Hertz rental car.
