Full-Day Photography Tour into Auckland's Wild West

Auckland, New Zealand

This 8-hour tour is all about enjoying New Zealand’s pristine environment and capturing its beauty on camera, from Auckland’s most scenic routes to beautiful bush hikes with stunning vistas in the Waitakere Ranges. See waterfalls, native rainforest and magnificent Kauri trees. For the sunset, you'll be taken to the most diverse of Auckland’s west coast beaches, Bethells Beach. Find the perfect spot for your golden hour shots of black sanded beaches and the rugged coastline.

Meet at the Britomart Train Station approximately 6.5-hours prior to sunset. A short 30-minute drive west for from Auckland’s city center are the Waitakere Ranges. Rich in natural and cultural history, this area is today a regional park with more than 61 square miles of native rain forest and rugged coastline.

The hills, up to 1555 feet high (474 meters), are covered in dense rain forest with towering hardwood trees like Kauri, Rimu and Kahikatea and a jungle-like undergrowth. With its volcanic rocks and over 2000mm of rainfall each year, the area has a number of beautiful streams with waterfalls cascading through the forest.

The tour will go to stunning locations off the beaten track. Not only to offer great photography motifs and opportunities but also to experience the heart and soul of the Waitakere Ranges. Explore unique locations that show the best of Auckland’s wild west.

At your first destination you will be taken 2.5 hours into a Kauri forest. See native rain forest and magnificent Kauri trees along the way. Journey on a short forest walk to a set of two waterfalls off the beaten track. The area around the falls offers several viewpoints, perfect to find the perfect spot. The 11m high curtain-type fall and its smaller neighbor carry water all year round.

The final destination takes you to the most diverse part of Auckland’s west coast, Bethells Beach. Arrive 1.5-hours before sunset to find the perfect location for your golden and blue hour shots of black sand beaches and the rugged coast line of volcanic rock formations.

Travel back to the train station at tour's end.