beach
Piha Beach
Auckland's wild west coast surf beach, dominated by the iconic Lion Rock and powerful black-sand breakers.
11 km · about 20 min drive
OceaniaNew ZealandAuckland
Waiatarua
Auckland, New Zealand · Oceania
About Waiatarua
Waiatarua works well as a base: 5 minutes from Woodlands Park, 11km from Piha Beach.
Waiatarua is in Auckland, New Zealand, with about 2,400 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Woodlands Park, about 4 km away.
Waiatarua is a small settlement near the top of the Waitākere Ranges in West Auckland, close to the junction of Scenic Drive, West Coast Road and Piha Road to Piha and runs east until the junction of Scenic Drive and Mountain Road. Surrounded by native bush in the Centennial Memorial Park and the water catchmentRead more
area, Waiatarua is over 300 metres above sea level and some houses are over 400 metres above sea level (higher than the Auckland Sky Tower). Waiatarua means “song of two waters”, possibly referring to the ability to see both the wild
west coast, and the still, sparkling waters of the Manukau and Waitemata harbours from certain points in the area.
Where to Stay in Waiatarua
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Waiatarua?
Within an hour or so of Waiatarua: Piha Beach (11 km), Karekare Beach (12 km), Auckland Zoo (15 km), Auckland Harbour Bridge (18 km).
Where is Waiatarua?
Waiatarua is in Auckland, New Zealand, about 4 km from Woodlands Park.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 2,360
- Continent
- Oceania
- Country
- New Zealand
- Region
- Auckland
- Timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Coordinates
- -36.9333, 174.5833
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in New Zealand
Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.
Full driving guide for New ZealandTags
Worth the detour from Waiatarua
6 notable places within an hour's drive.
beach
Karekare Beach
A vast black-sand beach beneath the Waitakere Ranges, where The Piano was filmed, with a waterfall in the bush behind the car park. Wilder and emptier than neighbouring Piha.
12 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Auckland Zoo
New Zealand's largest zoo with native wildlife including kiwi alongside exotic species from around the globe.
15 km · about 25 min drive
bridge
Auckland Harbour Bridge
The eight-lane icon spanning Waitematā Harbour since 1959, carrying SH1 into downtown Auckland with skyline and gulf views: thrill-seekers can climb it or bungy jump off it.
18 km · about 20 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Muriwai Gannet Colony
Around 1,200 pairs of Australasian gannets nest on a cliff shelf and sea stack west of Auckland, with viewing platforms placed metres from the birds. Occupied roughly August to March.
18 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Sky Tower
328-metre observation and telecommunications tower dominating the Auckland skyline, New Zealand's tallest man-made structure.
19 km · about 20 min drive
Driving roads near Waiatarua
- 18 kmAuckland Harbour BridgeThe eight-lane icon spanning Waitematā Harbour since 1959, carrying SH1 into downtown Auckland with skyline and gulf views: thrill-seekers can climb it or bungy jump off it.
- 18 kmMuriwai Gannet ColonyAround 1,200 pairs of Australasian gannets nest on a cliff shelf and sea stack west of Auckland, with viewing platforms placed metres from the birds. Occupied roughly August to March.
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