
Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 287 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch worth booking?
Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch is a 7-hour experience in Auckland, New Zealand, from $188 per person. It scores 87 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 287 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 87 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (287)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $188 per person
This full day tour is for lovers of nature and hiking, your experienced local nature guide will take you to a range of rainforest, beach and clifftop hikes. The black sand beaches and rainforest of West Auckland are uniq
What you get
About this experience
This full day tour is for lovers of nature and hiking, your experienced local nature guide will take you to a range of rainforest, beach and clifftop hikes. The black sand beaches and rainforest of West Auckland are unique in New Zealand and this tour is a great way to experience the best it has to offer. (3 x 1hr short hikes) *HIGH LEVEL OF FITNESS REQUIRED. This tour is not suitable for people with any kind of mobility issues. The hikes involve stairs and gradient changes. please note areas visited will differ depending on weather & fitness levels of the clients on the day. *We are no longer unable to visit a waterfall due to track & road closures from cyclone damage.
What's included
Included
- Light refreshments
- Local guide
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Picnic lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop off
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Arataki Visitor Centre - Waitakere Ranges
After pick up from your Auckland city centre hotel we have a short (30min) drive to the Arataki Visitor Centre – gateway to the coastal rainforest. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over the rainforest back to the city and across to Auckland’s southern harbour. The visitors centre is also home to some traditional Maori carvings and your guide will talk about them and explain their significance for the area. Your eco-tour includes a guided hike in an area of original rainforest where ancient kauri trees tower over the unique trees and plants that have developed separately from the rest of the world for millions of years. Your experienced guide will explain about the local plants and animals as you walk through the forest. *This hike includes stairs
45 minutes here
Mercer Bay Loop
After lunch, hike the clifftop tracks with stunning views along the coast and out across the Tasman Sea.
60 minutes here
Piha Beach
During the day we go to an awe-inspiring west coast beach where you can walk along the soft black sand beach, watch the surf waves crashing in and feel the clear ocean breeze. This unique small group tour operator is a Qualmark Endorsed Visitor Activity and provides expert guided eco-tours in the greater Auckland region - a company delivering a quality product focusing on the natural and cultural heritage of the area. As well as keeping you entertained and informed, our guides will make sure you have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and make sure there are lots of photo opportunities. We have been running tours in this area for over 34 years so you will be being looked after by the local experts.
60 minutes here
Enjoy a rainforest walk in the Waitakere Ranges
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Auckland
If you have not confirmed an inner city hotel pick up with us then our central meeting point is SkyCity Hotel entrance. If you are meeting here this will need to be confirmed with us. Please call to confirm at least 24 hours prior - 0800 423 224
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
If you have not confirmed an inner city hotel pick up with us then our central meeting point is SkyCity Hotel entrance. If you are meeting here this will need to be confirmed with us. Please call to confirm at least 24 hours prior - 0800 423 224
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Bush and Beach
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- High level of fitness required.
- Please note: tour includes a minimum of 3x 1 hour short hikes, including stairs and hills
- Not recommended for travelers who find stairs challenging
- Not recommended for travelers with any kind of mobility issues
- Not recommended for young children
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 287 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
3 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
287 verified traveler reviews for Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Perfect Escape Into Nature
I needed a little solo reset, and this tour delivered everything—dramatic coastlines, black sand beaches, and peaceful forests. Every stop was beautiful, and it was a great way to experience a different side of New Zealand. A big thank you to the tour operator for such a well-organized day. It also gave me a chance to take a little break from my travel companions—one is a huge *Lord of the Rings* fan, and the other is a devoted BTS fan—so having a day to enjoy nature at my own pace was exactly what I needed! 😄 The guide Erin was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the experience enjoyable from start to finish. I also appreciated learning about protecting the native environment, including the importance of helping prevent Kauri dieback. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see some of New Zealand's incredible landscapes beyond the city.
Response from the operator: We are so pleased you managed to enjoy our Coast & Rainforest Tour with your Tour Guide Erin! It is lovely having people who come to Auckland express their positive views of the scenery along the West Coast of Auckland and hearing their descriptions of the black sand beach and dramatic coast line. We are very lucky to have the rainforests and beaches so close together to offer this lovely nature walk and tour. It is great to hear you were able to enjoy the day and experience - thank you!
via Tripadvisor
Outdoor Activity close to the city
Small group, two nice hikes, great views of the coast, learned much about the local flora/fauna… Mairi was a great guide!
Response from the operator: Thanks for your feedback and comments - great to hear you appreciated Mairi looking after you on the Coast & Rainforest for the day ! :)
via Viator
A great peak into the heavenly West Coast of the north island
The tour was great from start to finish. We were driven in a really nice coach bus, and provided with lunch and drinks which we ate in a lovely picnic. The hikes were easy to moderate. You will do one up and down hike on the hill overlooking the beach, you will also be able to walk some of the beach, and finally walk a flat path in a rainforest. Pretty doable for people with average fitness.The scenery was all around breathtaking, and our guide Mari was very knowledgeable about the plants and birds are on the area. It’s a great and easy excursion outside of the city
Response from the operator: Thank you for posting a review following your Coast & Rainforest Tour with your guide Mairi. We are so pleased you enjoyed this experience.
via Viator
Great experience
Great tour....highly recommended.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your comments!
via Tripadvisor
Must Do when visiting Auckland
This is the best excursion to experience the beauty of the west coast! The guide was so knowledgeable and we had the best day.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your comments, we are so pleased you enjoyed your trip to the west coast of Auckland.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $188 to $340
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 100
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 87
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Auckland.
How much does Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch cost?
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Prices start at $188 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Auckland usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Auckland is not rushed.
Is Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 87 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 287 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Auckland, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch?
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Around 100 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Auckland can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Auckland and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Coast and Rainforest Eco-Tour from Auckland with Picnic Lunch start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Auckland within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Auckland?
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On Outty we rank every Auckland experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch, Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel, Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour with Lunch from Auckland. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Auckland?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Auckland?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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