Tawharanui Regional Park

I’d been in Auckland for precisely two weeks when my friends insisted one hot hungover Sunday that they were going to drive me to Tawharanui beach for a day of sunbathing.
Sit in a car for over an hour? On a boiling hot day? With a hangover? I still can’t believe they managed to talk me into it… But I’m oh so glad they did. Tawharanui is without a doubt my favourite out of Auckland day trip. The beach is just gorgeous with perfect white sand, big crashing waves and lots of caves at the side you can explore. It literally makes the inner city beaches pale in comparison.
Stop in Matakana for ice-​cream or a meal on the way there or back. Load up a cool box with beer and sit and take in the amazing view.
Tip: it gets really packed on sunny days so head there early to secure a good spot. Also, not drinking the night before will help to uphold your enthusiasm for the journey.

A popular escape for Aucklanders, Tawharanui is usually buzzing on a fine weekend.
It is an easy drive from Auckland and is a great swimmer’s beach. It is only about an hour from the Supercity.
There is plenty of parking, which is particularly useful when there are large crowds. The beach is just big enough for a bit of breathing room on busy days, while small enough you are able to easily find friends.
There are plenty of beaches nearby also if Tawharanui proves to be too crowded. If the group is a mix of surfers and swimmers, as it were with us, the numerous beaches nearby provide other options for surfers, who favour less crowded places and better waves, whereas the swimmers might as well stick to where the crowds are, with Tawharanui being a swimmer’s paradise anyway.

If I had to pick a favourite day trip out of Auckland there’s a high chance that Tawharanui would be it. It has the most beautiful beach, large enough for everyone to spread out over busy summer weekends but small enough to still feel intimate and easy enough to find friends who’ve had the same idea as you!
You can walk out past the first bay and there is a huge stretch of beach — more popular with the surfers as the break is bigger on this side.
If sunbathing and lazing isn’t your thing, there are plenty of walks and wildlife in the regional park, and you can even camp here (something I’ve never done but is on my bucket list).
Looking forward to plenty of day trips next summer already!

Tawharanui is a small piece of paradise that I’ve been lucky enough to grow up next to. I’ve spent many a summers day in the waves at Anchor Bay or picnicking under the pines along the coast. We love it so much we even spend every second Christmas at the campground. It’s a magic place for me and if you’re visiting the area would be my first recommendation. It’s a bit of a drive out there, and the last part of road is treacherous, so plan to stay the day. The whole area is a Regional Park and is protected by DOC. There is a state or the art predator fence around the park, and animals (dogs included) are strictly forbidden. Part of the park is still an operational farm and there are many walking tracks over it. My favourite is the ‘ecology trail’ which is an easy walk through a beautiful piece of regenerated bush. You can continue up over the hills for some stunning views. The beach is bigger and less busy than others in the area, and there is decent swell for surfers (or boogey boarders like me). Tawharanui is the perfect day trip, or if you have time, summer camping trip.