Tāmaki Makaurau Staycation – some of our favourite (Auckland coastal) things
Who doesn’t love a Devonport beach library mission, or a hike on newbie Rangitoto or primordial Whatipu, or a visit to Stanmore Bay’s glowing bioluminescence, or a chatty Pt Chev high-tide swim? So many beachy – ok, coastal – options! And beyond the obvious, more hidden gems await… What have we missed? Mutual staycation inspiration please!
Low-tide spot
Thorne Bay: Tucked in the Takapuna-Milford suburban elbow and “honoured” with a 95bFM ad shout-out, this is Auckland’s most famous secret beach. The power of its One Simple Trick cannot be denied: it’s swimmable even at low tide. On sticky afternoons when both east and west coast tides are conspiring to leave us all stranded in mudflats, Thorne Bay comes to the rescue and is rammed like a lifeboat (people watching is part of the charm). Adding to the glamour, it is accessible only on foot, most easily by turning left on the coastal path at the bottom of Minnehaha Ave – but adventurers can walk down the coast all the way from work-picnic fave Long Bay.
Credit: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections T2385
Resplendent, ridiculous ramble
Te Atatu peninsula walk: This inner-harbour coastal pathway has fantastic reach-out-and-touch-it views of the iconic Chelsea sugar factory, Harbour Bridge, and Ōwairaka the maunga … and a reasonably well-formed path for pedestrians all the way from Taikata Sailing Club, on the Henderson Creek side, to the motorway end of Orangihina Park on the Whau River side (stoney and sandy sections and a few steps may prove impassible for wheels). But the amusing icing on the coastal cake are the wild explanatory panels dotted along the western arm of the path. To wit, see pic. Smiley face indeed. (We also love the steep Hillsborough-Lynfield coastal walkways on the Manukau Harbour, but no silly panels!)
Tranquillity
Kaitarakihi Beach: Bring a mate with you to this secluded quiet spot, fringed by grass beautifully shaded by Pohutukawa trees, round the back of Cornwallis – and stay lazing the whole day. Not as tidal as some of the nearby beaches, so you can swim – or kayak – for miles and miles.
We couldn’t find a Creative Commons pic of the beach – so here’s the beach’s namesake – the tarakihi fish – instead, from Te Papa’s collection.
It’s the journey/s
Pine Harbour: It seems a bit presumptuous of “Pine Harbour” to be the gateway to the “Pohutukawa Coast” which features “Beachlands” – when there are pines, pohutes and beaches all over Tāmaki Makaurau and its outskirts – however! To get to this easterly outcrop, the fun-size ferry moves at fun-speed, and you get unusual views of Mission Bay and all the waterfront beaches, before magnificently sweeping down the eastern side of the Howick Peninsula and crossing over to your destination, all in 35 minutes. Once there, you can watch the boat forklift, or hike to Maraetai Beach via a few suburban streets, Kellys Beach Cove and small Omana Regional Park – it’ll take 1.5-2 hours, or you can take the bus. The return ferry trip from downtown to Pine Harbour is $26.40 with your HOP card or credit card (free with a Gold Card) (compared to $70 ferry return for a Waiheke day trip).
Explore the rest of the ferry timetable! There’s liveable Auckland-alien Hobsonville Point, Gulf Harbour (Whangaparaoa), Half Moon Bay – even Rakino Island, or (pricier) Rotoroa Island.
Image: Logan Clarke (Auckland Boatspotting)
Retro bach vibes
Karaka Bay: The beach that time forgot can be found down the bottom of a bush-clad cliff walkway – only 10 houses sit here, eschewing road access for MOAR TREES. Not to be confused with rural/horsey/Spookers Karaka township, this suburban/bird-song slice of quaintness – and a Tiriti o Waitangi signing site – is only just over the headland from neighbouring St Heliers, sitting at the mouth of Tāmaki Estuary. So close!
Image: Karaka Bay Predator Free NZ project
Togs in Town
Karanga Plaza: ok, we confess! The Auckland Women’s Centre team is planning to take a dip right here in the lap “pool” in the middle of the Viaduct precinct for our Christmas Party… but we haven’t actually tried it out yet. We were dubious at first – all those boats! – but, as always, we check Safeswim, and Safeswim thinks it’s as good as anywhere else, and sometimes better (side note: we’re deeply mourning the loss of Judges Bay, which seems permanently polluted since the Parnell sinkhole). Meanwhile, at Karanga Plaza, you can watch the bridge go up and down, and there are lifeguards on duty. Perfect for a midday dip if you’re a central city worker? We’ll report back!
