One of the trips I’ve been wanting to do for ages but I haven’t been able to get Fiona interested in is a trip to Piha. One of Aucklands better west coast beaches, it is dominated by Lion Rock in the middle and is one of the few North Island beaches to have two surf clubs.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Over the years the road has improved massively but it is still very windy(curvy) in places and there is no direct route. There are several ways of getting there but the best one I think is via Henderson Valley. Check the map below.
Its a slow 30k odd from the centre of Auckland but well worth it when you get here and its a nice drive.
The Holiday park is a leased site off the council as part of the Domain but privately run and is on black sand. Its a big park with plenty of room and is only 5 minutes walk to the beach via a bridge over the lagoon.
At the time of this post, it was $22 per adult with power with new showers and loos close by. There is a cafe right over the road and a General Store next door for anything you may have forgotten.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
The beach is spectacular. I popped down here at dusk to find a dozen or so amateur photographers wandering around in a group waiting to get the sunset.
Its funny as I remember when I was working at The Auckland Star, we used to get called on to judge various photographic awards for these Camera Clubs. The people were always very friendly and it was interesting to see what they were up to. Generally it was a PR thing from the Star’s point of view and we tried to help with ideas where we could. I remember judging at the North Shore Society awards a couple of times but can’t remember any of the others.
I met one of the members and gave him a few ideas while we were wandering around Lion Rock on the black sand. It was great to see them out there having some fun.
After that, I wandered back to Rafe through the black sand and had a drink with my neighbours. A great night.
Lovely spot, close to Auckland and reasonably priced with a great Beach.
Bugger It, we are off - www.buggeritweareoff.com 
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