Piha beach 40 minutes and a world away from auckland stuff. Te piha referred to the patterns of waves separating and breaking on the front of the rock, as on the prow of a canoe. For advanced surfers and high end intermediate surfers, there will be some world class waves along north piha beach. It is an eroded 16millionyearold 3 volcanic neck, 4 named for its similarity to a lying male lion when viewed from the rear shore side, lion rock is immediately visible to. View of piha beach with lion rock in background auckland. Lion rock is a natural formation dividing north and south piha beaches. Piha surf school is the original piha based surf school. Cover your walls with artwork and trending designs from independent artists worldwide. The peak consists of granite covered sparsely by shrubs. 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. You can also find a lagoon and several sheltered streams along the coastline. 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. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Lion rock and te waha point from rocks at the end of south piha.
Nov 28, 2010 lion rock is pihas most iconic landmark, its profile from all angles, known nationwide. An anzac day procession makes its way to lion rock, pihas war memorial in 1985 or 1986. An undersea volcano, waitakere volcano, 5 or 6 times the size of ruapehu, ngaruahoe and tongariro combined, existed 20 km west of todays waitaker ranges and erupted periodically over a 6 to 7 million peridocally eventually piercing the waves. Lion rock, piha painting by brian norton saatchi art. Lion rock boardriders is a boardriding club based at piha beach, auckand, new zealand. A history of surfing in piha west coast, auckland, new. Awol canyoning adventures auckland things to do auckland.
Piha has a interesting history dating from the early days of the maori te kawerau a maki during the 17th century through to the european settlers. Lions rock is a popular tourist spot and must see if visiting west auckland. Piha was a name given to lion rock, referring to the way the waves part as they hit the rock, the a. We drive to piha lookout for some awesome views over one of nzs most iconic beaches.
Lion rock surf shop surfing spot piha, new zealand 4. Piha surf school west coast, auckland, new zealand. Mike was nice to have general chats and he also shared some history stories about new zealand. Dec 14, 2010 the famous piha beach with lion rock, new zealand. Photo by edward le grice sarah gibbons was the daughter of robert pearce gibbons who worked as bush boss at piha mill. An undersea volcano, waitakere volcano, 5 or 6 times the size of ruapehu, ngaruahoe and tongariro combined, existed 20 km west of todays waitaker ranges and erupted periodically over a 6 to 7 million peridocally eventually piercing the waves as an island.
The reggae band culture has a song entitled lion rock. Lion rock, piha beach on good friday, we went to piha beach, piha beach is. Customize your piha beach print with hundreds of different frames and mats, if desired. 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 rachel grunwell. See more ideas about nz history, auckland and history. Aucklands wild west discovery tour unique visions tours. Still looked over the cliff to piha beach and lion rock, in all its glory. Lion rock sits between piha and north piha beaches, offering people who climb it, spectacular views in all directions. It is an eroded 16millionyearold 3 volcanic neck, 4 named for its similarity to a lying male lion when viewed from the rear shore side, lion rock is immediately visible to visitors as they descend along the only access road. Piha is new zealands most famous surf beach, situated on the west coast of the north island, 40km from auckland. The lion rock institute is a public policy think tank advocating free market solutions for hong kongs policy challenges.
Piha beach is famous for its fantastic surf, black sand, and its dramatic coastal views. Flora and vegetation of taitomo island and nun rock south. 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. Lion rock is pihas most iconic landmark, its profile from all angles, known nationwide. View topquality stock photos of view of piha beach with lion rock in background auckland new zealand.
The person was trapped on the narrow ledge about 25m off the ground, a fire and emergency nz. The dramatic rugged landscapes of piha and the surrounding area were created by volcanic activity millions of years ago. The kowloon granite, which includes lion rock, is estimated to be around 140 million years old. It was featured on stamps as well as an auckland phone book. The rock is the neck of a 16 million yearold lava tube, part of the massive waitakere volcano. Volcanic past of piha piha piha beach piha new zealand. Asp world masters champion iain ratso buchanans lion rock surf shop and school. The shop is located on the side of the piha store, right across the road from the camping ground. 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. Gavin young wrote the history of cathay pacific airways in a book entitled beyond lion rock 1988. Piha beach day trip from auckland in auckland my guide auckland. Lion rock, piha war memorial nzhistory, new zealand history. The beach is actually divided into two beaches by a volcanic plug called lion rock which divides north piha and south piha beaches.
Piha beach is ideal for surfers, fisherfolk, and those seeking a day on the beach and in nature. To te kawerau, lion rock was known as te piha, the name now given to the beach. In december 1919 a memorial to local sawmillers who served in world war one was unveiled on lion rock. The piha stream as we know it, had the name waitekahu, referring to kahukeke, the wife of rakataura. 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. The memorial includes 2 memorial plaques one records the men mainly from the piha sawmill who fought in the first world war. Piha beach is a popular stop on half and fullday west coast sightseeing tours from auckland. The view coming into piha is breathtaking its so beautiful seeing the ocean, beach, and all the homes built in the hills, along with lions rock. View of tramway trestle and lion rock, piha national library of new zealand. The patrol was featured in the tvnz reality show piha rescue.
Saatchi art is pleased to offer the art print, lion rock, piha, by brian norton. A person has been rescued uninjured from a ledge high on lion rock at west aucklands piha beach. Beever introduction taitomo island camel lies at the southern end of piha beach on aucklands west coast grid ref. Find premium, highresolution stock photography at getty images. At the top of lion rock, you can rest at a pou whenua erected in the memory of ngati tangiaro taua, an ancestress of the local iwi maori tribe, te kawerau a maki if youre looking for a bite to eat, drop in at the piha cafe up on garden road, or at the piha surf lifesaving club down by the. View of lion rock, piha and the house of sarah theresa gibbons salley. Beautiful new zealand loved this beach and lions rock.
The important defensive pa, whakaari, was on lion rock, and middens and terrace can be found on the buttocks and right shoulder. Piha has a interesting history dating from the early days of the maori te kawerau a maki during the 17th century through to the european. 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. The tasman view lookout is at the southern end of piha beach and has stunning views out to the tasman sea.
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. From the piha surf lifesaving club, you can head left to climb tasman lookout or right to climb lion rock,an eroded 16 million year old volcanic neck. Piha is a coastal settlement on the western coast of the auckland region in new zealand with. Person rescued from 25m ledge on pihas lion rock nz herald.
Beginners and intermediate surfers will have fun waves from 10. There are several walks through native forest in the surrounding hills. Piha paradise full day trip epic deals and last minute. Black sand rugged surf but thats what makes piha so cool piha beach, new zealand. The rock was the site of a defensive pa, with middens, terraces, and pits still located all over the rock. Local piha news, events, projects and community information for members. The other records the men associated with piha who fought in the second world war.
Birthplace of nz board riding in the 1950s piha is a popular destination and we get a grand view over lion rock and right down the coast. The rock receives its name from its shape a large full maned male lion with front legs outstretched. Piha beach is a popular weekend getaway destination for many aucklanders who wish to escape the city. You can climb lions rock, but children would need supervision as it is a steep climb. Lion rock has become iconic not only of piha, but of aucklands west coast in general. Lion rock, piha war memorial nzhistory, new zealand. It is not possible to climb to the top after a rockfall made access too dangerous. When i was a child we had a bach at piha and it piha beach new zealand. Piha is home to two surf beaches, called north and south piha beach.
This rock is immediately visible to visitors and is iconic of piha and the western coastline of auckland in general. Each piha beach art print is produced using archival inks, ships within 48 hours, and comes with a 30day money back guarantee. Flora and vegetation of taitomo island and nun rock south piha west auckland e. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. You will be given a map and detailed insights on all the mustsee places to visit during the day. A history of surfing in piha west coast, auckland, new zealand. Dubbed as new zealands most famous surf beach, piha beach is guarded by a coastal formation called lion rock. Full wetsuitharnesshelmet and shoeslife jacket if required. Trip includes return transport, a snack and refreshments. Finish off with a short visit to pihas iconic black sands surf beach and lion rock. Lion rock, or less formally lion rock hill, is a mountain in hong kong.
Rescuers stand down after finding no one on top of lion rock nz. 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. Couldnt get enough of that view and its better in person, of course. Mike really cares about his guests, and offered to drive anyone to the local store in the. It features heavily in travel brochures and has appeared on some stamps as well as the phone book.
Design your everyday with piha art prints youll love. Nov 28, 2010 the dramatic rugged landscapes of piha and the surrounding area were created by volcanic activity millions of years ago. Looking north from on top of lion rock, piha, auckland, north island, new zealand janie piha beach new zealand. At the end of the short, steep climb, there is a pou. Shop for piha beach art prints from our community of independent artists and iconic brands. Piha was a name given to lion rock, referring to the way the waves part as they hit the rock. The second names men associated with piha who fought in the second world war. Enjoy an optional onehour nature walk or be dropped at the beach. About 600 years ago, a party from the canoe explored the whole of the waitakeres and kahukeke thought piha exceedingly beautiful.