I’ve done this walk a few times and it’s one of my favourites on the North Shore. You follow the clifftops past two lovely beaches to the Okura River, then at low tide you can return along the beach. Good views the whole way, a working farm to walk through, and enough up and down to feel like you’ve done something.
| Distance | 5.8 km one way, about 9 km if returning via beach |
| Time | 2.5 hours one way, add an hour for the beach return |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Start | End of Beach Road car park, Long Bay |
| Parking | Free, plenty at the park |
| Dogs | No |
| Wheelchair access | Partially accessible to main beach only |
| Toilets | Yes, in the reserve |
| Mobile coverage | Yes |
| Cost | Free |
Take State Highway 1 north. Take exit 410 at Oteha Valley Road. Turn right and drive underneath the motorway. Follow Oteha Valley Drive for 1.8 km to the next set of lights, turn left onto East Coast Bay Road, drive for 0.9 km, and look out for a large water tank as you drive up the hill. Turn right into Glenvar Road. This road runs downhill for 3.6 km. At 1.9 km there’s a sharp right hand turn, don’t miss it. Left into Watea and left into Beach Road. The park is another 100 m on your left. Drive to the end of the road.
The Long Bay Village development is a short walk from the beach with cafés, a supermarket and other shops if you need to sort food before or after.
From the end of the car park the coastal track begins as a wide gravel path. There’s a bit of uphill straight away, good work out, then it’s through green farmland on the way to Granny’s Bay. This is a working farm so you may encounter cattle along the way. Follow safety signs, respect any restricted areas, and leave gates as you find them.
After about 20 minutes you’ll see Granny’s Bay as you come down the hill. Step off the track and onto the beach for a rest before you continue.
Another 15 minutes from Granny’s Bay and you’ll reach Pohutukawa Bay, a lovely little beach. Good spot for lunch if you’ve packed it.
Another 45 minutes from Pohutukawa Bay and you’ll arrive at the Okura River, the end of the walk. Good spot for a lunch break before heading back.
Note: the Okura Bush Walkway that continues south from here is currently closed between the Haigh Road entrance and Karepiro Bay. Don’t plan on extending the walk in that direction.
This is the good bit, but only if the tide is right. The tide needs to be on the way out by at least an hour. You’ll know if you’re too early, just wait.
Once you start, don’t hang around. It’s a continuous cliff face until you reach Pohutukawa Bay, then Granny’s Bay, and it’s too far to swim if you get caught out. Watch your step on the rocks, they can be very slippery when still wet and in places there’s a thin coating of mud over them. About 3 km and an hour back to the car park.
Toilets in the reserve. Drinking water available in the park. Fishing is not permitted anywhere in the park as it sits within the Long Bay Okura Marine Reserve. Cafés and a supermarket at Long Bay Village, a short walk from the beach.
Back to Long Bay Regional Park
