Waitakere Ranges to Auckland, New Zealand

There were many places where you could duck off down a side road to the black sand beaches and bays along Manukau Harbour. I imagined this whole area must be very popular in summertime, especially for those in Auckland less than an hour's drive away. We were surprised to talk to some locals who said that many from Auckland had never visited the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and wouldn't know what was there.