The kowloon granite, which includes lion rock, is estimated to be around 140 million years old. Piha is a scenic blacksand surf beach on the rugged coast west of auckland. Shout out to detroit from piha lion rock beach, new zealand. Photo about lion rock piha beach, new zealand north island. Due to the piha canyon having great accessibility a 35 minutes walk in and a five minute downhill walk out from the end of the canyon, we have time at the end of the trip for a short visit to pihas famous lion rock and its beautiful black sand surf beach. Bring a bottle of water and make the short but steep climb up lion rock to see the view of the crescent beaches on each side stay on the path. Piha is a popular auckland beach, but is well known for its rips so be very careful and always swim in between the. Maori history in piha home auckland elements adventures. Climb lion rock, walk to the kitekite falls, venture. How the land was put together for pihas central open space. Bush and beach have been running guided tours to piha for over 30 years and below you will find some extra information about piha and its history. After driving back to auckland from piha, a roughly 50 minute drive, take a breather, then head to burger burger in ponsonby. Photo by edward le grice sarah gibbons was the daughter of robert pearce gibbons who worked as bush boss at piha mill.
Explore this beautiful coast, climb lion rock or walk to the kitekite falls just one of many walks in the area. Check out trip advisor to see what people are saying about our trips. The brit in me still found it amazing to be in such. Piha was a name given to lion rock, referring to the way the waves part as they hit the rock. Piha is not just a black iron sand surf beach, its rugged rocks and the majestic lion rock contributes to the dramatic and inspiring scenery, and is backed by the waitakere ranges which is a parkland of subtropical forest. Piha is a popular auckland beach, but is well known for its rips so be very careful and always swim in. Located within an alley chockfull of trendy restaurants and bars many of the patios. Piha surf life saving club sometimes called piha lifeguard service is a surf lifesaving club for the southern section of piha, on the west coast of auckland, new zealand, some 45 km from auckland city centre.
Be sure to wear something on your feet if the sun is out because that black sand gets very hot. Piha holiday homes, accommodation rentals, baches and. Stay cool with the indooroutdoor flow through the ranch sliders or light a fire to keep toasty warm inside. He changed his mind after protests from the locals. A new book explores the faces behind waitakeres war memorials. Make your last activity stop of the morning at one of piha s blacksand beaches, a site where you can explore the famous lion rock, take a quick dip, or simply sit back and watch the pounding surf. Lion rock piha beach, new zealand stock image image of. Lion rock mums, dads, sons and daughters getting out there. How the land was put together for piha s central open. Piha beach is a popular stop on half and fullday west coast sightseeing tours from auckland.
Ministry for culture and heritage history group sandra coney waitakere ranges local board chair and chair of the auckland council ww100 political steering group. He wanted to put advertising signs for cigarettes and things on lion rock. Guests benefit from private parking available on site and free wifi. View of lion rock, piha and the house of sarah theresa gibbons salley. Cover your walls with artwork and trending designs from independent artists worldwide. The coastline is covered in iron sand which is black due to its volcanic origin. Some go there to fish, swim or sunbathe, others to plant cannabis seedlings or to follow alternative lifestyles. Te piha means the divided ripple at the bow of the canoe which the waves breaking around the rock were likened to.
You will be given a map and detailed insights on all the mustsee places to visit during the day. I have painted lion rock in the right side of the painting, however given the size of the landmark it had the potential to make the painting unbalanced. The rock receives its name from its shape a large full maned male lion with front legs outstretched. Piha things to see and do north island new zealand. Piha surf life saving club, the home of the tv series piha rescue, patrols the section of the beach to the south of lion rock. Piha is a coastal village 40km west of auckland city nestled between the waitakere ranges and the tasman sea it is renowned for its surf and black sand beaches. Due to the piha canyon having great accessibility a 35 minutes walk in and a five minute downhill walk out from the end of the canyon, we have time at the end of the trip for a short visit to piha s famous lion rock and its beautiful black sand surf beach. Lion rock, piha painting by brian norton saatchi art.
The holiday park is a leased site off the council as part of the domain but privately run and is on black sand. Jan 26, 2015 i love the early morning light at piha, and it is one of my favourite times to take photographs as only a few walkers and surfers are around. Its black sand and the towering lion rock, remnants of its volcanic history. The rock is the neck of a 16 million yearold lava tube, part of the massive waitakere volcano. Piha is a popular auckland beach, but is well known for its rips so be very careful and always swim in between the flags where the lifeguards can see you. We enjoyed exploring the tracks on the property and discovering the history. If you are passionate about piha and want to make sure you are represented on local issues, you should join our ratepayers and residents association. The important defensive pa, whakaari, was on lion rock, and middens and terrace can be found on the buttocks and right shoulder. The rock is known to te kawerau a maki at te piha, and the name has now been lent to the beach settlement of piha as a whole. United north piha lifeguard service is responsible for the section of the beach north of lion rock. The piha cafe is a lovely caferestaurant with a good selection of food. West auckland research centre, level 2, 3 ratanui street, henderson. Because of the hills behind, the sun only sneaks over about 30 minutes after sunrise, so until then there is this lovely ambient light.
The tasman view lookout is at the southern end of piha beach and has stunning views out to the tasman sea. Piha beach is a popular weekend getaway destination for many aucklanders who wish to escape the city. Piha beach and north piha beach are separated by iconic lion rock. May 22, 2017 lions rock is a popular tourist spot and must see if visiting west auckland. The person was trapped on the narrow ledge about 25m off the ground, a fire and emergency nz. An anzac day procession makes its way to lion rock, piha s war memorial in 1985 or 1986. The tasman lookout track is located at south piha on new zealands north island. South piha beach is to the left of lion rock, and north piha beach is to the right. It was featured on stamps as well as an auckland phone book.
Enjoy an optional onehour nature walk or be dropped at the beach. Person rescued from 25m ledge on pihas lion rock nz herald. If you like surfing, you have to go to piha in nueva. Lion rock has become iconic not only of piha, but of aucklands west coast in general. Design your everyday with piha art prints youll love. Fred helped spearhead the project to erect a memorial roll of honour on lion rock to the men of the piha. The road to piha beach, through the protected rain forest of the waitakere ranges, is sealed all the way and great quality if a little windy in places.
About 600 years ago, a party from the canoe explored the whole of the waitakeres and kahukeke thought piha exceedingly beautiful. Ncea history, junior social studies and history, links and resources. From the main car park, we took a short beach walk to the start of the trail, from here it takes you up to the. Its a big park with plenty of room and is only 5 minutes walk to the beach via a bridge over the lagoon. The piha stream as we know it, had the name waitekahu, referring to kahukeke, the wife of rakataura.
At the end of the short, steep climb, there is a pou. Piha has much to offer besides lion rock and wild surf and, as its only 40km from central auckland, its an ideal location for a long weekend away, writes. How to paint a seascape piha beach, wild sea a step. Jan 12, 2020 weve just returned from a fabulous holiday in new zealand. Departing from auckland cbd, youll enjoy a scenic drive to the waitakere ranges regional park where youll stop off to experience this lush and wild native forest. Lion rock, or less formally lion rock hill, is a mountain in hong kong.
A person has been rescued uninjured from a ledge high on lion rock at west aucklands piha beach. The history of piha s stores from the mill store to the piha store and everything in between. Saatchi art is pleased to offer the art print, lion rock, piha, by brian norton. Stop at a lookout to view the famous lion rock then spiral down into the valley. Piha is new zealands most famous surf beach, situated on the west coast of the north island, 40km from auckland. The reggae band culture has a song entitled lion rock. Read about the two rocks in piha, lion and camel and the natives. Additional options may include walking along the coast to the gap or a 20 minute bush walk to kitekite falls depending on time. Welcome to rdetroit a place for anyone to discover news and events happening in the city of detroit. Piha stock photos download 1,320 royalty free photos. Find local stories and discussion for anything related to detroit including music, the auto industry, local finds, food, urban planning and development, politics, art, photography, no ruin porn, sports and more. About 600 years ago, a party from the canoe explored the whole of the waitakeres and.
Piha paradise full day trip epic deals and last minute. Your explore piha holiday home is perfectly positioned. An anzac day procession makes its way to lion rock, pihas war memorial in 1985 or 1986. Mike was nice to have general chats and he also shared some history stories about new zealand. Lion rock piha, piha, new zealand view from tasman lookout.
The two beaches are divided by lion rock, a natural, eroded 16millionyearold volcanic neck, whose name is derived from its shape reminiscent of a resting lion when viewed from the shore. Aucklands wild west discovery tour arataki centre cascades kauri park piha beach karekare beach lunch. Famed british mountaineer sir chris bonington calls lion rock his personal favourite climb in hong kong. Good location to explore not just piha but other beaches in the area as well anawhata and karekare.
To te kawerau, lion rock was known as te piha, the name now given to the beach. Te piha referred to the patterns of waves separating and breaking on the front of the rock, as on the prow of a canoe. It is located between kowloon tong of kowloon and tai wai of the new territories, and is 495 metres high. The holiday home includes 3 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, as well as a coffee machine. The rock was the site of a defensive pa, with middens, terraces, and pits still located all over the rock. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. This secluded ocean beach was just as i remembered. Western shore of auckland, new zealand piha beach view with reflection in the sea with blue sky with white clouds above, northland, north island, new zealand.
In this peaceful setting, nobody expects to be pushed over the sides of the huge lion rock, or to be stabbed with a fishing knife. The history of pihas stores from the mill store to the piha store and everything in between. Piha beach is famous for its fantastic surf, black sand, and its dramatic coastal views. The beach is actually divided into two beaches by a volcanic plug called lion rock which divides north piha and south piha beaches.
Dubbed as new zealands most famous surf beach, piha beach is guarded by a coastal formation called lion rock. The patrol was featured in the tvnz reality show piha rescue. Awol canyoning adventures auckland things to do auckland. Lions rock is a popular tourist spot and must see if visiting west auckland. A shaper for over 25 years and an asp international judge, ratso can offer you expert advice on all your board requirements from the learner through to the experienced surfer. Piha beach day trip from auckland auckland, new zealand. Read here all about the maori history in the beautiful west coast of auckland, piha. Read about the epic doityourself task to get the lines out to piha and karekare through the bush. A history of surfing in piha west coast, auckland, new zealand. Piha is home to two surf beaches, called north and south piha beach. Asp world masters champion iain ratso buchanans lion rock surf shop and school. There is a bench at the top to catch your breath and take in the view. A highlight was returning to piha beach after thirty five years. Piha beachstay is adjacent to the waitakere ranges regional park home to over 30 bush and beach walks.
Piha was a name given to lion rock, referring to the way the waves part as they hit the rock, the a. Piha beach and lion rock in the morning sun, new zealand. The memorial includes 2 memorial plaques one records the men mainly from the piha sawmill who fought in the first world war. A history of surfing in piha west coast, auckland, new. Pihas history revealed piha piha beach piha new zealand. As well as great tips on further travels around new zealand, as he has done it himself and knows the. We look forward to returning in winter to make use of the fireplaces. You order at a counter but get the food delivered at your table. Lion rock sits proudly in the middle of the beach and the backdrop is the natural sub tropical temperate rainforest of the waitakere ranges. There are plenty of opportunities to explore nature from the village, including hikes through the waitakere ranges and the short, steep walk up lion rock.
It is not possible to climb to the top after a rockfall made access too dangerous. Oct 01, 2014 here are 20 rare and beautiful dog breeds that youve probably never heard of until now duration. Lion rock lookout piha holiday home is located in piha. The focus of the painting is the wild sea especially the breaking waves in the foreground, however i also wanted to include lion rock which is an iconic landmark of piha beach. Black sands lodge 12 a minute stroll to piha beach black sands is set on a 2500 sqm corner property just 12 a minute stroll to piha s black sand beach and iconic lion rock. Aucklands wild west discovery tour unique visions tours. Lion rock surf shop surfing spot piha, new zealand 4. Lion rock, piha war memorial nzhistory, new zealand history.
The shop is located on the side of the piha store, right across the road from the camping ground. Both clubs provide patrolled areas designated by red and yellow flags as is the custom with surf lifesaving in new. There are several walks through native forest in the surrounding hills. A track leads you right in front of the gap, spilling water into the bluepools and the nearby blowhole and tennis courts when there is low tide you can walk back along the beach and discover the keyhole and climb up onto camel rock. Piha beach 2020 all you need to know before you go with. Piha was originally a maori settlement, settled by maori from te kawerau a maki and the name piha comes from the original name for the rock now known as lion rock. You can also find a lagoon and several sheltered streams along the coastline. Gavin young wrote the history of cathay pacific airways in a book entitled beyond lion rock 1988. Around 82 a big surfabout contest was held at south piha and while nz surfing legend ian ratso buchanan, future piha resident and lion rock surf shop owner, featured in the event, it was the skilled performance of local mailman brad lucas making the semifinals that was most notable. Dec 14, 2010 the famous piha beach with lion rock, new zealand. Lion rock is pihas most iconic landmark, its profile from all angles, known nationwide.