Piha Beach: The Perfect Day Trip from Auckland

Walking from the parking lot down to Piha Beach.

After 20 something hours of total travel time, we landed in Auckland, New Zealand a little before 7 am two days after we had departed. Time change magic. This was our longest flight to date and really other than the fact that I probably gained 10 pounds of water weight, we were totally fine. After picking up our rental car, we headed to the city to drop our bags off and explore Auckland.

Ok, Auckland people don't be mad at me but....

it's not that cool?

I think we just walked around for a couple hours, then got some coffee (the first in a long and illustrious line of amazing cappuccinos) and headed back to our hotel. Nothing about Auckland really blew my skirt up but I was coming off of a long flight so take my opinion as you will.

Here is something funny about the hotel. I don't know why I decided I had to stay IN Auckland when I arranged our trip, but I did. Here's a tip...don't. I do try and stay mid range when I book, but for whatever reason I couldn't find something within walking distance that was in our usual price range, so I think I was all like "eff it" and just booked whatever. This whatever hotel was definitely upscale and Jorge could tell as we walked up to the all glass front with valet service and pneumatic doors. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him shaking his head and sighing. I imagine in his mind he was thinking something like "There goes all my money...Jess just tryin to live like a queen".

Somehow, we managed.

Anyways, after a much needed shower and long nap we were up and ready to go. Anywhere but back to Auckland, that is.

Enter, Piha beach.

Piha is about 40 kms outside of Auckland, and I want to say it took us a little under an hour to get there. It's popular with locals and surfers as evidenced by the number of families on the beach and surfers dotting the horizon. Its black sand beach is dominated by rugged cliffs on either end - the most popular of which is called Lion Rock. There are also a bunch of little walks you can do, or you can be like us and steal a couple towels from your hotel, buy some cheese and crackers and enjoy the sunset.

Lion Rock - see the mane and then his paws extended in front of him as if he was reclining at the edge of the water?

Sunset at Piha beach. Thank you surfers for making my shot.

So, if you are like us and decide to spend a day in Auckland and find yourself with nothing to do - I would certainly head off to Piha. It was the best way that I can think of to relax after traveling for so long and it was quite an introduction to the Kiwi lifestyle.