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Scenic Drive: Titirangi to Swanson, Waitakere Ranges, Auckland
Photo: Andrew Harvey · CC BY 3.0 · cropped

Drives Auckland, New Zealand Auckland, Waikato and the Coromandel

Scenic Drive: Titirangi to Swanson

Scenic Drive · Titirangi → Swanson

Intense14.2 mi40 min2,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,300 ftOne way
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The drive

Scenic Drive crosses the bush-covered Waitākere Ranges on Auckland's western edge, from Titirangi to Swanson: 23 km (14 mi) in about 40 minutes. It was opened in January 1914 as Exhibition Drive, rebuilt as Scenic Drive in the 1930s, and is famous for its sweeping views over western Auckland.

The drive heads west and then north-west through Waiatarua village, past the Pukematekeo Lookout, and along the edge of Henderson Valley farmland. The Arataki Visitor Centre, with displays on the ranges' flora, fauna and geology, is on the way. At Waiatarua, Piha Road branches off to Piha and Karekare.

Most of the road runs through native bush, with a few pockets of private land with potters and a native-plant seller.

Along the way

  1. Titirangi
  2. Waiatarua
  3. Swanson
Elevation
2,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,300 ft
TitirangiSwanson
Curves
Twisty most of the way
TitirangiSwanson
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The road is narrow and twisty in places, and cyclists and weekend traffic share it.
  • Large parts of the ranges are closed to walkers because of kauri dieback, so follow the track signs.
  • Storm damage has closed parts of Scenic Drive and the Piha road before, so check Auckland Transport's page before you go.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Auckland Transport: roadworks and disruptions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Scenic Drive in the Waitākere Ranges take?

Scenic Drive from Titirangi to Swanson is 23 km (14 mi) and takes about 40 minutes.

Is Scenic Drive twisty?

Yes. Scenic Drive is twisty most of the way, with tight bends through native forest.

Where does Piha Road leave Scenic Drive?

Piha Road branches off Scenic Drive at Waiatarua and runs down to Piha and Karekare beaches.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Scenic Drive: Titirangi to Swanson, from Titirangi to Swanson