Veer off the tourist trail to experience aucklands west coast on a full day trip to the waitakere ranges only 40 minutes from the city you can amble through forests of ancient kauri trees to arrive at a beach covered in black sand wind lashed bluffs overlooking the tasman sea and a hidden waterfall on a guided four to five hour walk along the way spot new zealands native flora and fauna dip your toes in the ocean and refuel with a picnic lunch