Tāmaki Makaurau, is home to some of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes, offering countless Auckland Instagram spots to choose from. From dramatic coastlines to lush lookouts, these locations are perfect for capturing incredible photos.
I’ve spent the last ten years in Auckland and these are amongst some of my favourites and won’t disappoint. Plus, I’ve included insider travel tips to help you make the most of your visit to all eight spots.
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Starting off with an Auckland classic–Piha is a famous beach that you’ll find all over social media. Known for its black sand and iconic Lion Rock–the remains from the neck of a volcano that erupted 16 million years ago, it makes for a pretty incredible backdrop. You’ll often find surfers getting amongst the waves and in summer those soaking up the sun.
When you visit Piha for photography, it’s worth checking tide times before planning your trip. If you’re lucky and you time it right, you might capture some reflections. Also as it’s located on New Zealand’s West Coast aim for the afternoon to catch a breathtaking sunset. There is plenty of space along this beach to get some great captures, so not to worry if there are others around.
For more reasons to explore Piha, I have everything to know in the full blog here.
MOUNT EDEN
What was in the past, an active volcano–roughly 15,000 years ago is now an iconic landmark, located not far from the city centre. Here you’ll experience 360 views of Auckland city and the surrounding suburbs.
It’s one of the special nature based Auckland Instagram spots that you can find within the urban hustle. I visit here regularly to soak in the views of the city and although sunset is my favourite, whether you’re enjoying the city lights at night or basking in the tranquility of dawn you’ll leave here with plenty of insta worthy images.
KAREKARE FALLS
Karekare Falls is a gem on Auckland’s West Coast, offering one of the many picturesque waterfall settings in the region. Tucked away in the Waitākere Ranges, it’s an easy, short walk from the car park, making it one of the more accessible nature-based Auckland Instagram spots.
The falls are surrounded by lush native bush, creating a dreamy backdrop for photos. It’s also a well-know spot for a swim. If you visit after heavy rain, the waterfall is even more impressive.
The best time to visit is in the morning, when the sun has risen enough to filter through the trees. Also, if time allows, take a detour to Karekare Beach—it’s a short walk and offers more incredible photo opportunities.
MERCER BAY LOOP
Mercer Bay Loop is a trail to highlight on your list of nature based Auckland Instagram spots. Located on the West Coast of Auckland, it’s an easy loop with incredible views of the coastline. It will also only take you a little over 30 minutes to walk.
Along this track you’ll experience sweeping views across dramatic cliff faces and lookout points which stretch across Piha, Karekare and Whatipu beaches. Here, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture some incredible photographs.
Be wary that Mercer Bay Loop is one of the more popular trails in the Waitākere Ranges so you may need to wait to get that perfect shot. However, it’s easy to understand why.
I go into more detail and must-know info on this adventure in the full blog here.
MOUNT VICTORIA
Mount Victoria Lookout is located in Devonport, on the North Shore of Auckland. Affectionately dubbed “The Shore” by locals, it’s a spot you can visit anytime but I’d highly recommend sunrise or sunset. The views over the city at this time with that light are incredible.
Mount Victoria sits at 283 feet and is the highest volcano on the North Shore. However, the walk will only take you 10-20 minutes. At the top you’ll have sweeping views across Waitematā Harbour to Auckland city, all the way to Takapuna and Rangitoto. It’s a perfect but easy nature based Auckland Instagram spot.
I would highly recommend grabbing a picnic blanket as there are plenty of spots at the summit to park up and soak in the views.
ANAWHATA BEACH AND LOOKOUT
The Anawhata Beach is a hidden gem on Auckland’s west coast. Tucked away in the Waitākere Ranges, this is one of my favourite nature based Auckland Instagram spots. This is not only due to the incredible views but also because it offers a quieter experience from busier spots like Piha Beach.
Since it’s west-facing, it’s an incredible place to capture a sunset. The beach itself is a pretty photogenic place with striking black sand, rugged rock formations and tide pools that form around the rocks.
This spot is a two-for-one as it also has a great lookout. As you start towards the beach from the carpark, and take the first bend to the left, you’ll see a small path to your right. This leads directly to a spot that has incredible views over Anawhata Beach and the Waitākere Ranges.
For the best experience, head to the beach for golden hour, then make your way to the lookout for sunset.
If you’d like to make the most of your visit—check out the full blog here for the full experience.
OMANAWANUI
Omanawanui arguably one of the best walks and lookouts along the West Coast. Over the many times that I’ve completed this walk I’ve captured so many incredible images, making it one of my ultimate suggestions for nature based Auckland Instagram spots.
Venture out in the last hours of the day and you’ll be able to capture golden hour with some stunning views over the Manukau Harbour, Whatipu beach and the Waitakere Ranges. However you will need to work for those photos as the climb involves ascending over 2400 stairs and typically takes 2–3 hours.
If you also add in Whatipu Beach for sunset, you’ll definitely have more than enough images to fill your feed.
There’s plenty more to say about this spot—read the full blog here for all the good stuff.
TE WAHA POINT LOOKOUT
Te Waha Point Lookout is one of my favourite viewpoints in the Waitākere Ranges. Positioned near Piha and Anawhata, it’s a lesser-known trail that rewards you with panoramic scenery stretching north over Whites Beach, the Tasman Sea and up the coastline.
The trail begins with an immediate decline with views over Piha Beach before winding through native bush. If you have time, you can continue down to Whites Beach, but be sure to check tide times beforehand. Conditions can always change.
Although the return hike is uphill and a workout, the scenery is worth every step. You won’t regret taking breaks along the way to soak in the views. If you’re after an underrated nature-based Auckland Instagram spot, this is one you won’t want to miss.
SUMMARY
In this post, we’ve shared the best nature-based Auckland Instagram spots, from breathtaking beaches and scenic lookouts to hidden waterfalls. You now know the ideal times to visit, how to capture the best shots, and what to expect. If you’re looking for longer hikes and a bit more adventure, AllTrails is a great resource. It’s perfect for those wanting to spend time in nature.
Whether you’re after a peaceful nature escape, an epic hiking adventure, or the perfect golden hour photo, this guide has you covered.
For more of New Zealand’s ultimate destinations, check out these guides, along with all other comprehensive travel guides on the blog.