Karekare
This beautiful beach was chosen by New Zealand film-maker Jane Campion for the setting for the movie ‘The Piano’ for its untamed natural beauty and power.
At Karekare, there are walking tracks to lead you a beautiful waterfall, huge cliffs and if you follow the old railroad track you will come to an old stranded steam engine boiler. Make sure you check the tides before going onto the rocks, and on walks, as you might get stranded at high tide, and watch for rips when swimming. This beach is great, but respect nature!
Karekare is not for those who prefer safe landscapes. There's an overpowering sense of place here. The moment you arrive, you know this is a special place. You either like it instantly, or you're out of here fast, never to return. Stay, and your senses start picking up a myriad of sensations. At the car park, you can hear the booming surf. It comes at you like rolling thunder, echoing off the valley walls and pushing into your ears. The great, gnarled face of the Watchman keens the sound and sends it hurling towards you as you jump the creek before heading towards the beach. Do this at night, and the beach amplifies pure sound, picking up bass chords from the collision of waves against Paratahi Island and sampling the shoreline surf action on the way in."
Excerpt from bestseller Rolling Thunder, by Bob Harvey.
How to get there:
An hours drive from central Auckland. Head west to the suburb of Glen Eden and the West Coast Road onto Scenic Drive, onto Piha Road and follow through to Karekare Road.  Or go through Titirangi, Scenic Drive, Piha Road - Karekare Road.

Piha
Piha is a seaside village populated by alternative life-stylers and artisans where  holiday makers can enjoy the surf, lagoon and walks around the Lion Rock and  blowhole.  It is a great spot, with a cafe area, picnic tables and a spacious beach, though if you are looking for a secluded spot to be alone, this is not the place to be on a hot summers day! It is not overcrowded, but is very busy.  The beach has some dangerous rips and is patrolled by lifeguards, so it is possible to swim, boogie board, or just play the waves. There are also walks into the Waitakere Ranges.
As a surfing beach, there is plenty of room to swim and good waves. Surfing competitions are held in the summer, and it can be a very social place with live bands playing at the surf club.
How To Get There:
Just 60 minutes drive from central Auckland. From the suburb of Glen Eden take West Coast Road and turn right onto Scenic Drive. Turn left onto Piha Road. The option is through Titirangi to Scenic Drive and Piha Road.

Bethells Beach – Te Henga
Now a little famous, as  Xena Warrior Princess and Hercules strode upon it regularly when making the TV series, Xena, The Warrior Princess.  This is a good beach for fishing, or walking with children dogs and you will find good swimming spots and walking tracks to the shady reserve of Lake Wainamu or a little inland is one of the regions best wetlands and refuge for wildlife.
How To Get There:
50 mins drive from central Auckland. From the suburb of Henderson take Swanson Road, then Scenic Drive North to Bethells Road.