Waitakere City

Waitakere is New Zealand’s first Eco-City, and one the residents are proud to be part of. Earthsong Village is designed to be socially and environmentally sustainable and is shown by the permanent resident’s passion toward using permaculture and educating like-minded people about the benefits of living ecologically. The Waitakere Ranges are wonderous, breath-taking, a rainforest that exists outside of the tropics. 8,000 hectares provides visitors with opportunities to fish, boat, swim, surf, horse ride, kayaking, or just take a moment to sightsee and stop at any of the lookouts and look upon the wonders of the ranges. A total of 200 km have been made available for walking and tramping, each walk has been made to suit individual levels. The popular Rain Forest Express Train will take you through tunnels, across wooden bridges, and through the rain forest where you will be able to see the glow-worms and cave wetas amongst the rain forests backdrop.

The rugged and wild west coast is home to many popular and isolated beaches, such as Bethells Beach, Whatipu Beach, Cornwallis Beach, Huia Beach and Karekare Beach and the ever popular surf beach Piha, with its unique black sand. Woodhill is a favorite area to visit as there is so much to do, from the Woodhill purpose built mountain bike track with 130km of mountain bike track for all levels of riders. Jeep Woodhill lets you and your family experience the park in their vehicles or take your own 4WD and discover the 2,250 acres this forested area takes you through. Muriwai Beach is a popular tourist destination, with its wild, ruggedness and stunning panoramic views. Tourist activities include parasailing, tramping, biking through the mountains, horse riding, fishing and bird watching the Gannett colony. You can be safe in the knowledge that Muriwai has surf lifesaving available within the flags.

Music festivals and art exhibitions are local community events worth visiting while in the area. Avondale is a multicultural diverse area, with its close proximity to the city; the suburb is popular for the Avondale Markets, held every Sunday. The main shopping belt holds many pacific island stores along with long-established retail shops and businesses.

Henderson situated in the heart of Waitakere City holds the ‘Falls Restaurant – Cafe – Gallery’ a grand historical building where the eatery has been named West Auckland’s Number 1 restaurant for three years running. Henderson is renowned for its long-standing families such as Babich Wines who have Petanque and a picnic area for you to enjoy their mouth-watering wines. Or visit Collard Brothers with their Gold Medal and trophy winning wines that are exported worldwide. Kumeu holds award winning vineyards; with their cafes and restaurants selling home grown produce and their own labels such as Kumeu River, Matua Valley, Nobilo, Westbrook and Coopers Creek. If you’re looking for more outdoor pursuits try sky-diving, equestrian activities, archery, hot air ballooning, bush walks, or clay target shooting. While driving through this area you will find fruit and vegetable stores and road-side stalls, all well worth stopping in for fresh produce.

Titirangi (meaning ‘The Fringe of Heaven’) is naturally covered by native bush and parklands. The natural landscape brings many visitors to Titirangi Village, where you can relax and enjoy a meal while watching the world go by. Or seek out many of the areas artists, potters, weavers, writers, and music festivals with international acts. Enjoy the sights and scents of The Farmers Market who support local produce and offer such mouth-watering foods such as pizza, tapas, freshly baked pastries, gelato, organic juice, and beverages. If you’re looking to wet your feet there are beaches handy such as Titirangi Beach, Wood Bay or French Bay to swim, boat, fish or board sail in. Waimauku is a growing area typically farmland but now an area where residents enjoy the laid-back casual lifestyle that is easily accessible to surrounding areas as well as to the heart of Auckland City. Waimauku Village holds gift stores, art galleries, clothing stores and convenience stores.