Looking for the best places in Auckland to capture Golden hour magic? From black sand beaches that shimmer to some best-kept-secrets, the City of Sails has no shortage of scenic show-offs.
Whether you’re a photographer chasing the perfect shot or just someone who appreciates soft, cinematic light, these are the absolute best places in Auckland to capture golden hour.
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ANAWHATA BEACH AND LOOKOUT
If you’re craving golden hour without the chaos of Piha, Anawhata Beach is your secret weapon.
Tucked away off a gravel road, it’s wild, isolated, and beautifully untouched.
From the small clifftop carpark, it’s a short walk down a gravel track to the beach which will take you around 15-20 minutes one way.
Since it’s west-facing, it’s definitely one of the most stunning places in Auckland to capture golden hour. The beach itself is a pretty photogenic with striking black sand, rugged rock formations and tide pools that form around the rocks.
Not keen on the hike back in the dark? Head to the unofficial lookout before the sun starts to dip. You’ll find this back towards the carpark, with a small pathway to your left. This leads directly to a spot that has incredible views over Anawhata Beach and the Waitākere Ranges. It’s also one of my favourite Auckland lookouts.
For more tips and directions, see my full Anawhata guide.
MERCER BAY LOOP
If you want a sunset spot that includes a short walk and bit of wow-factor, Mercer Bay Loop is the one. This short 30 minute loop track near Piha offers some of the most dramatic clifftop views in Auckland.
The trail winds through native bush before opening onto sheer cliffs overlooking Piha, Karekare and Whatipū beaches and the Tasman Sea. Visitors love it for good reason – there’s plenty of lookout points and places to capture golden hour.
There’s a small gravel carpark at the start, and the track is well-marked but 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.
Need a little more info before visiting this incredible photo spot? Check out my full guide on Mercer Bay Loop here.
MOUNT EDEN
Looking to capture golden hour views without leaving the city? Mount Eden delivers them on a silver platter.
Just 5 kilometres from the CBD, it’s one of Auckland’s most accessible volcanoes and don’t worry, it’s been roughly 5,000 years since the last eruption. The summit sits 196 metres above sea level and only takes 10–15 minutes to walk up, depending on where you start.
At the top you’ll get 360-degree views across Auckland, including the Sky Tower, Waitematā harbour, and neighbouring volcanic cones. Despite being right in the middle of the city, the grassy crater and open ridgelines offer plenty of spaces to park up and enjoy the view. I’d often visit for sunrise but sunset is just as good. Seeing the skyline light up in gold, then stay for blue hour when the city starts to sparkle, is well-worth the short walk. It will also give you some nice variety for content compared to the more nature based spots I suggest below.
Gates to the carpark close at 8.30pm in summer and 7pm in winter and walk-ins are allowed anytime.
OMANAWANUI TRACK
For hikers chasing sunsets and glutes of steel, Omanawanui Track is the West Coast dream. This 7.7 kilometre return trail climbs above Whatipū Beach and the entrance to the Manukau Harbour. The track includes over 2,400 stairs and takes roughly 2–3 hours return, depending on your pace, so I hope you’re up for a challenge.
The views from the top are nothing short of epic, with the exposed track looking out over the Waitakere Ranges. Aiming for a late afternoon start and timing your return with golden hour for that soft, cinematic glow is the best way to go.
Tie it in with a beach walk at Whatipū for a full evening of light-chasing.
Love this bit? Feel free to check out the full guide I wrote on Omanawanui Track here.
KAREKARE
Nestled right next to Whatipū, Karekare Beach is most famous for its starring role in The Piano.
It’s tucked south of Piha and north of Whatipū, and even though there’s no official golden hour trail here, the beach itself is reason enough. Wander the black sand shoreline, admire Paratahi Island at the southern end, and soak in the views across the Tasman Sea.
Comans Track and Mercer Bay Loop are nearby if you want a more elevated perspective. Karekare also offers a DOC campsite right near the beach–perfect if you want to hang back for stargazing or photograph the Milky Way.
Want the full scoop? I’ve written a deep-dive over here.
MUSICK POINT
Musick Point is one of East Auckland’s best-kept secrets–an old WWII radio station site turned perfect sunset lookout. The short 5–10 minute walk from the carpark leads you to panoramic cliff-top views on both sides. It’s a peaceful spot with minimal foot traffic and uninterrupted views over the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto, Motuihe, and Waiheke.
The viewing area is perfect for a low-key picnic and is one of those great places in Auckland to capture golden hour. Just make sure you’re out by gate-closing time, as there is potential to be locked in.
Want more info on this East Auckland gem? Have a read of the following Musik Point guide.
MURIWAI
Muriwai is one of Auckland’s most iconic coastal lookouts–and for good reason. The views stretch for 50km along the black sand coast, and golden hour turns it all to gold. It’s therefore a great spot for sunset and also boasts a side of unique wildlife.
Head first to the Muriwai Scenic Lookout (you can pop it into Google Maps). The viewing platforms are just a short walk from the carpark and offer prime vantage points over the beach and cliffs. You’ll also spot the gannet colony here from August to March.
If you’re keen to touch the sand, take a 5-minute drive down Waitea Road to Jack Butt Lane. From here, it’s an easy walk to the main beach.
Whether you’re after birdlife, a golden seascape, Muriwai is one of the most reliable places in Auckland to capture golden hour.
PIHA
Piha is an Auckland icon, which definitely makes it a must-visit place in Auckland to capture golden hour. Just 45 minutes from the city, this West Coast beach is famous for its black sand, rugged cliffs, and Lion Rock–an ancient neck of a volcano that erupted 16 million years ago and rises straight from the beach.
You can no longer climb Lion Rock for safety reasons, but it makes an incredible focal point for photography. Aim to arrive before that golden light hits so you have time to explore. At low tide, the reflections across the wet sand are unbeatable.
Parking is free and plentiful, though it fills quickly on summer evenings.
Curious about what else Piha offers? Explore my full Piha beach guide.
MOUNT VICTORIA
One of the best places in Auckland to capture golden hour is Mount Victoria in Devonport. From here you’ll get a front-row seat to the golden glow over Auckland’s skyline. It’s the highest volcano on the North Shore of Tāmaki Makaurau and sits pretty at 283 feet, accessible via a 10–15 minute walk.
From the top, you’ll get sweeping views over the Waitematā Harbour, Rangitoto Island, and downtown Auckland. There’s plenty of lookout areas to enjoy this view, with a couple benches, and plenty of room to set up a camera or blanket. It’s particularly stunning at sunset when the light start to change.
If you’re craving to know more about this spot, check out my full guide on Mount Victoria here.
TE WAHA POINT LOOKOUT
Overlooking Piha and Anawhata, Te Waha Point is one of the best under-the-radar golden hour lookouts on the West Coast.
The track starts from Anawhata Road and drops down towards Whites Beach. It’s a moderate return walk (around 2.1km total) that starts with coastal views over Piha before cutting through native bush. You can descend all the way to Whites Beach, but check the tide times. That descent can get slippery fast.
The highlight? A clifftop viewpoint that delivers sweeping views over the Tasman Sea, Whites Beach, and up the coastline. It’s one of those unbeatable places in Auckland to capture golden hour.
Looking for more info? Get the full breakdown in my detailed blog post.
WHATIPŪ
For wide open beach scenes that feels wild and remote, Whatipū delivers. It’s the southernmost beach in the Waitākere Ranges so being 42km from Auckland, give yourself about 1hr 15min to get there.
From the carpark (that is also the closest starting point for the Omanawanui Track trailhead), it’s a flat 10 minute walk through sand dunes to the beach.
Swimming here is possible but be wary that there’s no surf patrol, and the rips can be brutal. But photography? Next-level. Low sun reflecting off black sand and rugged cliff faces gives everything a dramatic contrast.
This beach is also a perfect pairing with the nearby Omanawanui Track for a hike-meets-beach combo.
For directions, walking options, and what to expect, read the full blog breakdown on Whatipū here.
MOUNT DONALD MCLEAN
If you like your golden hour with a side of stair climbs (yeah, okay, not everyones cup of tea) and forest serenity, Mount Donald McLean is the perfect one to add to your list.
This 11.3 km there-and-back walk starts in the lush Karamatura Valley and climbs steadily through native bush to two ridgeline lookouts. One faces west towards Whatipū Beach and the other east across to the city. Both serve up jaw-dropping scenes over the Waitākere Ranges and Manukau Harbour.
The track is steep in places, but you’ll earn every bit of that epic view. This is a spot where if you have a drone, you can get some incredible panoramic captures, too. The late-afternoon light filtering through the trees alone is worth the hike, but from above it’s even better. Also, if you don’t feel like doing the entire walk, you can drive closer to the summit of Mount Donald McLean. From the carpark its a mere 10 minute walk to the top.
It’s definitely a quieter alternative to Omanawanui, but with equally dramatic coastal perspectives. And yes, I rate both as top-tier places in Auckland to capture golden hour.
TE HENGA/BETHELLS BEACH
If you’re after golden hour without the chaos, Bethells Beach delivers. It’s one of the quieter West Coast beaches but still delivers with the black sand and that wild, untamed nature feeling.
The main track, Te Henga Walkway, is partially closed (thanks, 2023 floods), but you can do the walk where you’ll look out across the beach. It’s a perfect golden hour walk and with those views *chefs kiss*.
The Waitakere River to the beach, also offers stunning views across the bay. I prefer the far left hand side end, just a short 10-minute walk away. Here you’ll discover a cave to explore and elevated viewpoints which boast panoramic views. My suggestion is to take a seat here and enjoy golden hour turning to sunset.
SUMMARY
In this post we have explored 13 of the best places in Auckland to capture golden hour. From the wild West Coast beaches to inner-city viewpoints, these spots prove this part of New Zealand doesn’t mess around when it comes to capturing some epic landscapes. Pack your camera, plan your hike, time it right, and go chase that glow because these really are the best places in Auckland to capture golden hour.
Looking for a deeper dive? Check out some of our ultimate New Zealand’s destinations, or to explore further, our comprehensive travel guides. Everything you need to know is here.