EXPERIENCE THE WILD, WEST COAST OF AUCKLAND
06 AUGUST 2022
View near the carpark on Waitea Road, on the path to the gannet colony
Rugged West Coast
Muriwai Beach is a sleepy surfing town in the rugged west coast of Auckland, with the exception of summer when it's a hot spot to visitors from all over Auckland who love to walk, chill, fish, surf and walk their dogs. It can be a dangerous beach for swimming (swim between the flags!) and also people can get swept off the rocks while fishing.
The black sand along Muriwai stretches for 60kms and backs on to the Woodhill Forest where there are heaps of mountain bike and walking trails.
We always have a blast at Muriwai, whether we're chilling or checking out the gannets. There's so much space to enjoy all the elements of Muriwai that it doesn't feel too crowded and it feels like a never ending adventure playground.
The black sand along Muriwai stretches for 60kms and backs on to the Woodhill Forest where there are heaps of mountain bike and walking trails.
We always have a blast at Muriwai, whether we're chilling or checking out the gannets. There's so much space to enjoy all the elements of Muriwai that it doesn't feel too crowded and it feels like a never ending adventure playground.
Muriwai has sparkly black sand that stretches the whole way along
Little Bella and Phoenix
Little Bella and Phoenix
Driving on the beach
Muriwai is actually a legal road and is sooooo fun to drive on! You can drive along for fun, to drive to a fishing spot, to drive faaar away from people and have a picnic or just to set up somewhere and chill. Watch out for kids, dogs and other cars, normal road rules still apply.
You NEED to have a 4WD or you will get stuck! The locals and other 4WD drivers are pretty good at helping you out if you get stuck but there are no guarantees that this will happen.
You can drive the length of the beach and park up anywhere you like. The entrance to the beach is on Coast Road and it's clearly marked when you get there. You need to get a good run up when heading in and also when heading out.
We loved our experience of driving on the beach. It felt so free and it was awesome to park up anywhere we wanted to. Last time we went, Bella was about 2 or 3 and she didn't enjoy it too much as it was so bumpy, but if we did it now that she's 8 she would absolutely love it.
Now days though you need to apply for a permit to drive or park on the beach. (Just like most things in NZ, you need permission or permits to have any fun!)
You NEED to have a 4WD or you will get stuck! The locals and other 4WD drivers are pretty good at helping you out if you get stuck but there are no guarantees that this will happen.
You can drive the length of the beach and park up anywhere you like. The entrance to the beach is on Coast Road and it's clearly marked when you get there. You need to get a good run up when heading in and also when heading out.
We loved our experience of driving on the beach. It felt so free and it was awesome to park up anywhere we wanted to. Last time we went, Bella was about 2 or 3 and she didn't enjoy it too much as it was so bumpy, but if we did it now that she's 8 she would absolutely love it.
Now days though you need to apply for a permit to drive or park on the beach. (Just like most things in NZ, you need permission or permits to have any fun!)
The beach stretches for miles and is so fun to drive on
We had sooo much fun driving on Muriwai Beach
Lath driving on Muriwai Beach
Muriwai Beach Loop Track
There is a really nice walking track that's 5.7kms long and takes you down the Coast Road and along Muriwai Beach. The Coast Road has really nice views over the Muriwai Golf Course and then of course once you get onto the beach you have amazing views of the huge waves, surfers, gannets diving into the water (depending on the time of year) and the untamed, wild cliffs of Muriwai Beach. We had done so many walks around Muriwai, we highly recommend you just go and explore! There's always so much to see and do and the kids absolutely love it.
A paraglider landing on the beach after taking off from the hill above the main carpark
Lath settling in for the night, ready to enjoy the sunset
Bells enjoying her sand bed while watching the sunset
Sienna digging her way to China
Not Your Average Beach
Muriwai is one of the most diverse beaches we have been to in Auckland. There's just so much to do in once place!
You can:
You can:
- Go on sooooo many walking tracks
- Take your horse for a gallop down the beach or go on a trail with one of the local horse riding companies
- You can watch over 1200 pairs of gannets nesting between August and March
- Watch INCREDIBLE sunsets
- Go surfing
- Watch the surfers (amazing at sunset!)
- Go paragliding or watch paragliders land on the beach from the hill above
- Go fishing
- Experience a black sand beach if you've never visited one before
- Park up and enjoy the amazing view without leaving your car
- Mountain bike through the forest
A surfer looking for the best spot to jump in the ocean
Baby gannet
Top marks if you can count how many gannets are here!
AMAZING Sunsets at Muriwai Beach
Muriwai is one of our faaaav spots to catch a sunset in Auckland. We have been many times at sunset and it has always delivered an incredible experience.
There are so many viewpoints to watch the sunset from. You can park at the main carpark and head down to the beach - it's literally right beside it so it's easy to walk, especially if you're setting up for a while and need to lug heaps of stuff over the sand. We usually dig a big hole in the sand and lay down towels or blankets so we have a super comfy bed to lay on while the girls build sandcastles or dig their own holes in the sand. In the cooler months we take hot tea and mugs as well as blankets and hot water bottles - this way we can stay for hours without wanting to leave because we're freezing our butts off.
Another viewpoint (or two) to watch the sunset is at one of the two gannet viewing platforms at the left of the main entrance to the beach. You can get here by stairs via the beach or by the next car park up the hill on Waitea Road. This offers exceptional views over the gannet colony and even if the gannets have flown to Australia and the nests are bare, it's still a beautiful site.
One of the most incredible views you can get over Muriwai is right up Waitea Road. It's obvious to see when you get there as to where you can park up and enjoy the view. You won't be disappointed!
There are so many viewpoints to watch the sunset from. You can park at the main carpark and head down to the beach - it's literally right beside it so it's easy to walk, especially if you're setting up for a while and need to lug heaps of stuff over the sand. We usually dig a big hole in the sand and lay down towels or blankets so we have a super comfy bed to lay on while the girls build sandcastles or dig their own holes in the sand. In the cooler months we take hot tea and mugs as well as blankets and hot water bottles - this way we can stay for hours without wanting to leave because we're freezing our butts off.
Another viewpoint (or two) to watch the sunset is at one of the two gannet viewing platforms at the left of the main entrance to the beach. You can get here by stairs via the beach or by the next car park up the hill on Waitea Road. This offers exceptional views over the gannet colony and even if the gannets have flown to Australia and the nests are bare, it's still a beautiful site.
One of the most incredible views you can get over Muriwai is right up Waitea Road. It's obvious to see when you get there as to where you can park up and enjoy the view. You won't be disappointed!
Lath and Bella at Muriwai
View on the way to the gannet colony viewing platform
A surfer at Muriwai Beach
Know Before You Go
- Muriwai Beach is a typical west coast beach with rough seas and strong undercurrents. It's not a place we have even swum at but this is personal choice
- Fishing off the rocks comes with the danger of potentially being swept off with the strong waves washing over the rocks
- There are toilets at the main carpark as well as on Ocean Beach Road on the corner carpark
- Beach access is for 4x4 cars ONLY - you WILL sink to the axel and get stuck otherwise! We have seen this happen a lot
- The black sand can be blistering hot on super hot summer days so PLEASE DON'T take your dog on hot days
- There is a fish and chip shop near the main carpark
- There is a playground near the main carpark
Mappy McMap Face
Getting There
Muriwai beach is approximately 50 mins from Auckland CBD and if you are coming from further up around the Orewa area, you'll probably end up heading through Peak Road which is a lovely drive. From Orewa to Muriwai beach is approximately 50 mins as well.
The entrance to the beach is well sign posted and there is plenty of parking.
The entrance to the beach is well sign posted and there is plenty of parking.
Conclusion
If you are into sunsets, surfers, sand and sweet walks, this is the ultimate place to visit. The sunsets are so pretty, the surfers are incredible to watch as they smash through the waves in search of the next big one. The sand is so nice and the black sand in particular is just starting to cool as you head into sunset, so you get that wonderful balance of the warm sand and the cool air as you head into the evening. Its a day trip guys, so make sure to pack plenty to eat and bring blankets and something warm and snug to get dressed into as you settle in for the sunsets.
Gallery of Muriwai Beach
Check out the rest of the awesomeness that didn't make it to the main blog but deserves to be shown.
More to see and do in New Zealand
MURIWAI WALKING TRACKS
AUCKLAND One of Auckland's little gems, the tracks offer diverse forests and expansive views. The sunsets here are pretty awesome too.
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KEA POINT TRACK
CANTERBURY Discover the hidden gems of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on the 1-hour Kea Point Track. You won't be disappointed!
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WHITES BAY BEACH
MARLBOROUGH The perfect beach for swimming and taking in the most incredible views from the cliffs. The drive here is just as breath-taking!
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