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Muriwai Beach
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Piha Beach
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Te Henga (Bethells Beach)
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Lake Wainamu
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Karekare Beach
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Awhitu Peninsula
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Karioitahi Beach
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Waiuku Forest
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Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Take in the beauty of Muriwai’s rugged landscape and visit the famous cliff-top gannet colony, where around 1200 pairs of gannets nest from August to April. The viewing platforms give you sweeping views far over the Tasman Sea. Stroll along the boardwalk that hugs the coastline and breathe in the crisp sea air, alongside the wild waves and rolling black sand dunes. Keen to get active? Take a lesson at the local surf school or hire blokarts, kites, mountain bikes or surfboards, or play a round of golf at the nearby course.
Te Henga (Bethells Beach) is more sheltered than some of the other west coast beaches, making it a great place to visit. Walk along the beach, go sliding down the sand dunes at Lake Wainamu or take the four-hour walk between Muriwai and Te Henga.
Karekare’s remote, dramatic landscapes have inspired filmmakers, writers and photographers, most notably in Jane Campion’s The Piano. The beautiful Karekare Falls is just the short walk from the main beach.
The striking black-sand beach of Whatipu is located amongst an area of sand dunes, rocky cliffs, caves, and wetlands. Venture onto the Whatipu Caves Track to pass by numerous old sea caves for a 45 minute return hike.
Just an hour south from the city centre, Karioitahi is something of a hidden gem, even to many Aucklanders. There’s so much to do here – horse riding, surfing, blokarting, paragliding, hang gliding and four-wheel driving. If you’d rather relax, take a walk and leave the action behind, or go fishing with the locals. On your way there or back, explore nearby Waiuku Forest, with a range of tracks, trails and recreational activities, or drive to the end of Awhitu Peninsula and climb the Manukau Heads Lighthouse.
Kauri dieback disease is killing Kauri trees in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The closure of some tracks and creating protection zones helps prevent the spread of this disease but those using the park can also help. Please respect the following guidelines when visiting:
For further information about Kauri dieback please click here.
Muriwai Beach
Piha Beach
Te Henga (Bethells Beach)
Lake Wainamu
Karekare Beach
Awhitu Peninsula
Karioitahi Beach
Waiuku Forest
Manukau Heads Lighthouse