Is the walking difficult on the tour?

The walking is easy to moderate with mostly flat terrain and a few short, uneven sections near Muriwai Beach’s lookouts.

Can I swim at Muriwai Beach during the tour?

Yes, you’re welcome to swim if conditions are safe, but be aware that the Pacific surf can be strong.

A pre-packed picnic lunch and complimentary snacks and water are included in the tour price.

Is it possible to see gannets up close?

The walking track to the colony is closed, but several lookouts provide good distant views of nesting gannets on Motutara Island.

What is the minimum number of participants?

The tour requires a minimum of two people to operate.

Do you provide pickup and drop-off?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels, the airport, or cruise ports in Auckland CBD.

Coast to Coast Eco Tour with Auckland & Beyond Tours

Auckland stands where vibrant urban life meets raw coastal wilderness, offering a rare glimpse into New Zealand’s diverse shorelines. Auckland & Beyond Tours harnesses this unique contrast with their Coast to Coast Eco Tour Private Tour, a full-day journey revealing the city’s striking natural and cultural highlights. This eight-hour tour invites travelers to witness the dramatic difference between Auckland’s west and east coasts, combining outdoor immersion with historical context.

The tour begins on the wild west coast at Muriwai Beach, renowned for its distinctive black sand sculpted by volcanic activity and relentless Pacific surf. Here, seabird enthusiasts find a special prize: the Muriwai Gannet Colony. From August through March, these large white birds congregate on nearby Motutara Island. While access to the colony’s walking track remains closed due to past storm damage, multiple lookouts still offer close-up views of the gannets in action, their elegant dives and sprawling wingspan a striking spectacle against the rugged coastline.

After soaking in the coastline’s raw energy, participants enjoy a thoughtfully prepared picnic lunch along the beach—an opportunity to relax and recharge amid crashing waves. The tour then shifts to Auckland’s gentler eastern seaboard, tracing the scenic Tamaki Drive. Along this route, stops include the cultural Bastion Point (Michael Joseph Savage Memorial), and Achilles Point, both offering sweeping views of the harbor and city skyline.

The journey culminates in the Auckland Domain’s Winter Gardens, a historic Victorian glasshouse complex showcasing exotic and native flora in an atmospheric garden setting that contrasts sharply with the day’s wild coastal scenes. This mix of nature, wildlife, and heritage encapsulates why Auckland & Beyond Tours stands out: they carefully curate an experience balancing wild outdoors with accessible cultural landmarks.

Ideal for visitors seeking a compact yet varied snapshot of Auckland’s outdoor scenery, this tour combines ecology, urban sightseeing, and leisurely moments into one engaging day. It highlights Auckland itself as a rare destination where city vibrancy and natural elements intertwine effortlessly.

About Auckland & Beyond Tours

Auckland & Beyond Tours offers private tours and one‑way transfers connecting Auckland with New Zealand’s top destinations. The company operates a wide range of private transfer routes and day tours, including trips to Hobbiton, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Rotorua and Te Puia geothermal valley, the Bay of Islands and Hole in the Rock, Waiheke Island, the Coromandel beaches and caves, Taupo and Tongariro, Napier and Hawke’s Bay, and one‑way transfers to Wellington and other regional centres.

Services include private one‑way transfers, bespoke day tours, guided visits to movie sets and cultural sites, and combined itineraries that pair highlights such as Hobbiton with Waitomo or Te Puia. Selected transfers, such as the Rotorua to Auckland service, include complimentary snacks and bottled water. Tours described in public schedules feature guided cave visits with glowworm river rides, Hobbiton movie set tours with Green Dragon Inn access, Zealong tea tastings, and wildlife visits to kiwi sanctuaries.

Auckland & Beyond Tours coordinates door‑to‑door pick ups and private transport for individual travellers, couples, and small groups, focusing on tailored, private travel rather than scheduled mass transport. The operator lists more than fifty distinct private tours and transfer options connecting Auckland with regional attractions across the North Island. Tour and transfer itineraries are clearly described in public listings, specifying destinations, stops, and included experiences so travellers can select the service that matches itinerary needs. Booking information, pricing details, and availability are published for each tour and transfer on the business's public listings, with seasonal scheduling updates regularly.