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New Zealand > Auckland > Auckland's
Beaches
With water on all sides, Auckland has a great many beaches, some safe for
toddlers and others for strong swimmers and surfers.
 Cheltenham
Beach
Just a 15 min stroll from the Devonport
ferry terminal, Cheltenham the ideal spot for a picnic and a swim and during
the week, you may be the only person there.
Karekare
It was chosen by New Zealand film-maker Jane Campion for the setting for the movie ‘The
Piano’ for its untamed natural beauty and power.
At Karekare, there are walking tracks to lead you a
beautiful waterfall, huge cliffs and if you follow
the old railroad track you will come to an old
stranded steam engine boiler. Make sure you check the
tides before going onto the rocks, and on walks, as
you might get stranded at high tide, and watch for
rips when swimming. This beach is great, but respect
nature!
How
to get there:
This beautiful beach is located an hours drive
from central Auckland. Head west to the suburb of
Glen Eden and the West Coast Road onto Scenic Drive,
onto Piha Road and follow through to Karekare
Road. Or go through Titirangi, Scenic Drive,
Piha Road - Karekare Road.
Karekare
is not for those who prefer safe landscapes. There's
an overpowering sense of place here. The moment you
arrive, you know this is a special place. You either
like it instantly, or you're out of here fast, never
to return. Stay, and your senses start picking up a
myriad of sensations. At the car park, you can hear
the booming surf. It comes at you like rolling
thunder, echoing off the valley walls and pushing
into your ears. The great, gnarled face of the
Watchman keens the sound and sends it hurling towards
you as you jump the creek before heading towards the
beach. Do this at night, and the beach amplifies pure
sound, picking up bass chords from the collision of
waves against Paratahi Island and sampling the
shoreline surf action on the way in."
Excerpt from bestseller
Rolling Thunder, by Bob
Harvey.
Piha
Piha is a seaside village populated by
alternative life-stylers and artisans where
holiday makers can enjoy the surf, lagoon and walks
around the Lion Rock and blowhole. It is
a great spot, with a cafe area, picnic tables and a
spacious beach, though if you are looking for a
secluded spot to be alone, this is not the place to
be on a hot summers day! It is not overcrowded, but
is very busy. The beach has some dangerous rips
and is patrolled by lifeguards, so it is possible to
swim, boogie board, or just play the waves. There are also walks
into the Waitakere Ranges.
As a surfing beach,
there is plenty of room to swim and good waves. Surfing competitions are held in the
summer, and it can be a very social place with live
bands playing at the surf club.
How To Get There:
Just 60 minutes drive from central Auckland. From the
suburb of Glen Eden take West Coast Road and turn
right onto Scenic Drive. Turn left onto Piha Road.
The option is through Titirangi to Scenic Drive and
Piha Road.
Bethells Beach – Te Henga
Now a little famous, as Xena Warrior
Princess and Hercules strode upon it regularly when
making the TV series, Xena, The Warrior Princess.
This is a good beach for fishing, or walking with
children dogs and you will find good swimming spots
and walking tracks to the shady reserve of Lake
Wainamu or a little inland is one of the regions best
wetlands and refuge for wildlife.
How
To Get There:
50 mins drive from central Auckland. From the
suburb of Henderson take Swanson Road, then Scenic
Drive North to Bethells Road.
Muriwai
Muriwai is a very scenic, rugged black sand beach
which goes for miles. It is broad and sandy in the
north, rocky and potentially dangerous in the south.
A great beach for surfing, swimming, picnics,
fishing, nature walks, or just catching some
sun. There is a cafe and shop here, with picnic
areas and plenty of parking.
You will
find gannets in one of only 2 colonies in New
Zealand, with fur seals and other sea birds. This
beach has the most beautiful rock formations created
naturally from volcanic rock.
How
To Get There:
50 minutes drive from central Auckland. Take the
North-Western motorway. Follow Route 16 through Kumeu
to Waimauku, left onto Muriwai Road, which runs into
Motutara Road.
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