Your New Zealand Holiday this summer would not be complete without a trip to Piha. Located 28 kilometres west of Auckland city centre amidst the Waitakere Ranges is Piha beach, an excellent surf beach (in fact it was the birthplace of NZ Boardriding in 1958) and being so close to the ranges the bush and scenery is amazing.
The nearest beaches accessible by road are Karekare to the south, and Anawhata to the north. Karekare is a beautiful spot and I spent several summers there as a lifeguard when I was a young lad. The characteristicly rugged coastline of the west coast of New Zealand is a great hideaway for a couple of romantic days wiht some great walks which can reward you with secluded beaches accessible only on foot. Immediately to the north of Piha is Whites Beach, accessible only by foot. Mercer Bay is immediately to the south both of which are accessible by foot.
Kitekite Falls
The rugged coastline and forested Waitakere Ranges offer a number of walks, or tramps, ranging from easy to very difficult. Close to the beach are the Kitekite Falls which while not very large are picturesque. Swimming is possible all seasons (though only for the cold hardened outside of summer) in a pool just above the falls. At the bottom of the falls is a sheltered picnic area popular with families in the summer time.
Lion Rock is a natural rock formation splitting North and South Piha beaches. It's a 16 million year old volcanic neck, named for its similarity to a lying male lion when viewed from the rear (shore side), Lion Rock is immediately visible to visitors as they descend along the only access road. Lion Rock is an iconic kiwi landmark not only of Piha, but of Auckland's West Coast in general. It was featured on stamps as well as an Auckland phone book. A blowhole is also located at Piha.
Surfing and surf lifesaving
As I mentioned Piha was the birthplace of New Zealand board riding in 1958, and has been the scene of both New Zealand national and international surfing championship competitions. Two Surf Lifesaving clubs provide surf patrols in summer. United North Piha Lifeguard Service is responsible for the section of the beach north of Lion Rock and Piha Surf Life Saving Club patrols the section of the beach to the south of Lion Rock. Both clubs provide patrolled areas designated by red and yellow flags as is the custom with Surf Lifesaving in New Zealand and many other countries.
The rip currents along this section of coast are very unpredictable and can shift with little warning. They claim many lives despite the efforts of surf life-savers. Most of these drownings, however, occur after lifeguards are off duty or after rock fisherman wearing heavy clothing are washed off rocks, out of sight of the lifeguards. Lifeguards advise swimming between the red and yellow flags, during patrol hours.
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