17 Exciting Auckland Day Trips: Nearby Adventures Within 2 Hours of CBD

An easy ferry ride from Auckland CBD or Devonport, Waiheke Island is a fabulous subtropical getaway. Many of the lush green rolling hills provide the ideal climate for wine grapes, which accounts for 30 or so wineries on this island.

We like it because it instantly feels like a holiday. Whether we enjoy a meal at a winery or just hand out at one of the several great beaches, we are happy. Of course, if we are feeling more adventurous, there is a massive zipline or an old military reserve to explore.

Head to the west coast if you are looking for bigger surf waves, black sand beaches, or the nearest subtropical rainforest. Piha is best known from the former TV show Piha Rescue for its wild surf.

Every year (August to March), we get to Muriwai to see the large colony of 1,200 Australian gannets that fly over to breed, to swim at the beach, or just enjoy the native bush. 

Either beach, we are never disappointed. And when we are feeling more energetic, there is the Te Henga Walkway to Bethels Beach.

Tiritiri Matangi is a day of exploration, hiking, and birds. This open bird sanctuary island is just a 75-minute ferry ride from Auckland. Tiritiri Matangi is a protected island paradise thought to be one of the world’s most successful conservation projects.

It's an all-day activity that we love, with a morning ferry heading out from Auckland or Gulf Harbour to the island and an afternoon return. We have seen and photographed some interesting birdlife here.

Although there are over 50 islands in the Hauraki, only a handful are accessible without a private boat. Two of our favourites are mentioned already: Tiritiri Matangi and Waiheke.

Two other popular options are Rangitoto and Kawau. Rangitoto Island is Auckland's largest and youngest volcanic field, as well as being home to the country's largest pohutukawa forest.

Kawau was purchased in 1862 by then Governor of New Zealand Sir Geroge Grey. He brought with him interesting animals, and we can still find wallabies there today.

Just under a two-hour drive to the north will bring you to the provincial town of Waipu. Here we hit the beach, hike, and the highlight - see glow worms in the caves.

While there are a variety of things to do in Waipu, the caves are our current favourite. Here, you have two great options: either the free DOC cave, where you will most likely get wet feet and possibly a bit dirty, or take a tour through a well-paved cave nearby.

Either way, you should see glow worms, but you will for sure on the tour.

Shakespear Park is one of 27 Auckland Regional Parks currently open to the public. Each is special for different reasons. At Shakespear, we enjoy multiple beaches, hours of hiking trails, campgrounds, cows, sheep, and it is an open bird sanctuary.

An award-winning park, it's a great place to relax or stretch your legs. It's just less than an hour's drive from Auckland at the end of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and the closest of the regional park to our home.

An easy Auckland day trip, Orewa beach is 3km of golden sand and safe swimming nestled against a charming seaside community well known for its variety of cafes, restaurants, and art galleries.

Only a 25-minute drive, it's also accessible by bus.

While one can easily drive to Riverhead from downtown in 30 minutes, I had loads of fun getting here on a 90-minute cruise along the river system leading out from Auckland. Reserve your Red Boats cruise to Riverhead here.

Once there, enjoy a meal at the Landing restaurant or a drink at the Portage, a neighbourhood bar. Best of all, if you can head here on a Sunday, you can enjoy live music at the Boat House.

Karangahake Gorge is a majestic mix of remnant goldfields and impressive nature. Once the site of New Zealand’s most lucrative gold strike, it is now a walking and hiking destination.

Swing bridges, former gold mine shafts, a historic cyanide treatment plant, and lush green forest led us to the gorge. Karangahake Gorge is a two-hour drive from the city and makes a great Auckland day trip. You can also reserve a day trip from Auckland with an eBike tour in Karangahake Gorge here.

Best known for its world-class themed Hamilton Gardens, there are actually a surprising number of cool things to do in Hamilton, New Zealand's fourth-largest city.

A tea plantation, a regional museum, a bird park (where I had a ruru perch on my arm), and Riff Raff Square are a few of my favourites. Hamilton is 125 km southwest of Auckland.

Rural charm and relaxation, Cambridge is the ideal, off-the-beaten-path spot to relax and unwind.

Unless you hit a big sports weekend, as it's home for key rowing and cycling events. It's not too far from Hamilton, so if you are heading out for longer than just typical Auckland day trips, you might consider both.

This is the Real Middle Earth. Hobbiton is a top destination for many Lord of the Rings fans, and it's just under a two-hour drive.

Available by tour only, each two-hour tour of the 12-acre Hobbiton Movie set takes visitors to Hobbit Holes, the Old Mill, and the Double Arched Bridge.

We discover details about the movie set and how it was created. The tour concludes with a complimentary drink at The Green Dragon Inn. Hobbiton is as touristy as one would expect, yet movie fans love it.

Ngatea Water Gardens is an eclectic mix of humour interwoven throughout a beautiful water garden. It requires a sense of humour to appreciate it. We laughed quite a bit.

Also located here is Arthur's Canny Museum. This display of over 11,000 cans is the only one of its kind in New Zealand. Ngatea Water Gardens is about an hour's drive from Auckland.

Raglan is 173 km from Auckland, with a one-way drive time of 2 hourss.

Raglan is a coastal beach town full of surprises. It's got a relaxed atmosphere and I thnk it is the perfect getaway, whether you surf or not.

Located on the west coast of the North Island, it's just a short drive from Hamilton, yet a world apart. With big waves and frequent wind, it's a haven for adrenaline rush, but also a great place to relax with a coffee or craft beer.

Coromandel is 173 km from Auckland, with a one-way drive time of two hours and twenty minutes.

Bushwalks, forest hikes, natural hot springs, beaches, and a rugged coastline are what attracted us to the Coromandel Peninsula.

If you only have one day, I would recommend digging your own ‘spa’ at the natural hot springs of Hot Water Beach (at low tide) and heading to Cathedral Cove. We like to spend a lot more time here.

Waitomo Caves is 190 km from Auckland, with a one-way drive time of 2 hours and 51 minutes.

The caves are lit by thousands of phosphorescent lights from a species of glowworm found only in New Zealand (Arachnocampa luminosa). We haven't done this in a while, but the magic is the same every time.

Entry into the Waitomo Glowworm Caves is via a 45-minute guided tour. Starting on foot, admire stalagmites and stalactites before boarding a small boat and drifting through the glowworm grotto in near silence.

If you are more adventurous, one of the most popular things to do is black water rafting.

Blue Spring is located in Putaruru, which is 187 km from Auckland, with a one-way drive time of 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Home to the clearest waters on the North Island, the Blue Spring at Putaruru supplies 70% of New Zealand's bottled drinking water and is one of the most beautiful NZ locations I have ever seen.

Honestly, it's about the view and the photos, so click through and enjoy.