Te Ārai Point is a scenic headland walk in Te Ārai Regional Park, near Mangawhai at Auckland’s northern boundary. The track loops over the point with panoramic coastal views, access to pristine white sandy beaches, and a sheltered quarry swimming hole. This relatively undiscovered spot offers coastal walking, surfing, and swimming about 90km from central Auckland.
Find more walks in this area at Warkworth Walks
From Wellsford (recommended route):
Alternative from SH1 (before Wellsford):
Journey time: Approximately 75-90 minutes from Auckland CBD (expect to pay Northern Gateway Toll Road)
The gravel section of Te Ārai Point Road is properly rough with potholes, so take it slow. Most vehicles make it through fine but low-clearance cars should drive carefully.
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Te Ārai Point sits at Auckland’s northern boundary where the crowds thin out and the coastline gets properly wild. The pristine white sandy beaches stretch for kilometres with barely a footprint – Te Ārai Beach extends all the way north to Mangawhai. On clear days you can see the Hen and Chicken Islands offshore plus panoramic views from Pakiri Beach in the south to Mangawhai Heads in the north.
The 50-hectare regional park occupies the most prominent headland on this section of the east coast. Auckland Council purchased the land in 2008 and it encompasses dune lake ecosystems, wetlands, coastal broadleaf forest, and regenerating forest. The area remains relatively undiscovered by locals and tourists alike, which means you’ll often have the place largely to yourself.
Here’s what makes it genuinely special: the old quarry swimming hole on the northern side of the point offers extremely sheltered swimming when the surf is too rough. It’s a beautiful little bay created from past quarrying, nestled between two points and perfect for families.
The formed sections of track are well-maintained grass and gravel paths. The tractor-width mown tracks are easy to follow, though the steep section coming back up from Forestry Beach (about 50 metres of climb) will get your heart rate up. It’s short but genuinely steep.
The high points of the loop offer zero shade, so sun protection is essential on bright days. Wind, sun, and reflection off the white sand create conditions where you can get burnt without realizing it.
Navigation is straightforward with clear mown paths and occasional markers. The track is relatively new and still developing, so some sections might be less defined than established regional park tracks. Just keep the ocean in sight and you’ll be fine.
The beach sections are white sand which is easier to walk on than the black iron sand of west coast beaches, but still requires more effort than formed tracks, especially in soft dry sand.
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This area is critically important for endangered shorebirds. Te Ārai is home to the New Zealand Fairy Tern (one of NZ’s rarest birds) and Northern New Zealand Dotterels. During breeding season (September through February) you’ll see areas cordoned off with signs. Please respect these boundaries absolutely – these species are fighting for survival.
The beaches and wetlands also support Australasian Bitterns. Auckland Council and local conservation group Love Te Ārai work together on pest trapping, regenerative planting, kauri dieback treatment, and rare bird monitoring.
Offshore, you might spot dolphins cruising past. The waters here are part of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Pohutukawa trees dot the coastal areas, and the dune lake visible from the track features stunning tree fern backdrops.
Take only photographs and leave only footprints. The ecological sensitivity of this area cannot be overstated.
No. Dogs are strictly prohibited on all tracks, roads, and parking areas at Te Ārai Point according to Auckland Council regulations. This includes dogs in vehicles. The only exception is the inland area along Western Boundary Road (Forestry Road) up to the inland parking area, where dogs must stay in vehicles. This policy protects the endangered shorebirds nesting in the area.
The 30-minute direct walk over the point is manageable for children who are comfortable with moderate distances. The full 2-hour loop involves some steep sections and requires reasonable fitness. The quarry swimming hole is brilliant for families – it’s sheltered and calm unlike the open surf. Just supervise children near clifftops as there are no barriers.
Yes, but with caution. The open surf can get quite big with rips and currents – this is exposed east coast swimming. There are no lifeguards. The real gem is the old quarry swimming hole on the north side of the point which offers sheltered, calm swimming perfect for families and less confident swimmers.
Te Ārai Point remains relatively quiet compared to more accessible Auckland coastal walks. The rough gravel access road keeps casual visitors away. Weekends see more people but you’ll still find plenty of solitude. It’s described as an area “yet to be fully discovered” which is part of its appeal. Weekday mornings you might have the place entirely to yourself.
Freedom camping is not permitted. There’s a Certified Self-Contained (CSC) campground at Te Ārai that allows motorhomes and self-contained vehicles for up to 3 nights. You must book and pay in advance through Auckland Council’s regional parks website. Facilities include toilets, changing rooms, and a dump station.
Forestry Beach (southern side) is popular with surfers and accessible via Western Boundary Road (Forestry Road). Black Swamp Beach is the northern beach that technically sits in Northland rather than Auckland. Both are beautiful and often even more isolated than Te Ārai Point itself. Many locals rate them as more stunning than the point.
The track over the top of the point is accessible at any tide. However, the coastal route around the base of the point (exploring rock pools) is only accessible 1-2 hours either side of low tide. At high tide, waves crash against the rocks making coastal walking impossible and dangerous.
No supplies available at Te Ārai Point itself – stock up before you arrive.
