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Long Bay
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Park Activities

BBQ
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BBQ

There are both electric and wood fire barbecues at Long Bay, some are bookable some are for casual use.

9 out of 10

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Beaches
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Beaches

There are three beaches, Long Bay, Pohutukawa Bay and Granny's Bay.

9 out of 10

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Dogs
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Dogs

All park land above the mean high water mark and adjoining beaches north of Vaughan stream.
Dogs are prohibited at all times

Below high water mark to Vaughan stream
Dogs are allowed except during daylight savings between 10am and 6.30pm.
Dogs must be under direct and continuous control at all times.

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Swimming
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Swimming

Long Bay is a family beach, children should be watched at all times. Pohutukawa and Granny's Bay are also popular and not as crowded, though you may come across nude bathers.

8 out of 10

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Kayaking
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Kayaking

In calm weather kayaks are launched easily. A quiet paddle will take you to Piripiri Point and into the Okura River.

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Weddings
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Weddings

Long Bay has a wedding site or Vaughan Homestead is another option. Sites may also be booked for wedding receptions.

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Education
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Education

Long Bay lies adjacent to the Okura Marine Reserve. Marine environment programmes are available for primary school children.

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Boating
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Boating

The marine reserve makes for pleasant boating and diving but remember it is strictly 'look but don't touch'.

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Surfing
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Surfing

If there's a big swell on the east coast then you can occasionally get waves here. Offshore in a westerly.

1 out of 10

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Walks (Less than 1 hour)
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Walks (Less than 1 hour)

Take a short walk from Vaughan Homestead up through the farm land.

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Walks (1 hour or more)
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Walks (1 hour or more)

Take a longer walk towards the Okura River taking in Granny's Bay and Pohutukawa Bay.

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Tracks

Nature Trail
30 minutes / 0 km
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Nature Trail

Walk
Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 0 km

Start below Vaughan Homestead and follow the yellow markers which take you away from the beach through wetland, native forest and farmland.

Pram friendly: No

Coastal Walk
180 minutes / 6 km
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Coastal Walk

Walk
Time: 180 minutes
Distance: 6 km

This trail heads up past the Homestead towards Granny's Bay and Pohutukawa Bay to the Okura River.

Pram friendly: No

Print view

Long Bay

Long Bay Regional Park is a favourite for many Aucklanders, attracting well over one million visitors a year. It provides a backdrop to the great stretch of beach that gives the park its name.

Safe swimming, a wealth of shady picnic spots, plenty of open space for games, a miniature railway and disabled-friendly playground make this a great place for all the family to enjoy.

The sweeping beach adjoins a marine reserve while the park itself also has stands of native bush, the historic Vaughan Homestead and a restaurant.

From the park you can explore the coast as far as north as Okura.

Park facilities

Campervan access
No designated campsite but campervans can park in the carpark for up to two nights for a small fee.
Picnics sites
There are 7 bookable sites suitable for groups. Groups of 75 must obtain a permit. Otherwise find your own favourite spot. more...
Lodges
Vaughan Homestead is managed by the Torbay Historic Society, phone (09) 473 8176.
Wheelchair access
Long Bay has a great deal to offer people with limited mobility. more...

History

Maori occupants of Long Bay gave it the name Oneroa, meaning long expanse of sand. Ngati Kahu was the main tribal group to live here until European settlement began in the 1850s. The Vaughan family bought 600 hectares at Long Bay in 1862 and farmed sheep on the property during the next 100 years. George Vaughan built the Vaughan Homestead as a farm cottage in 1863. It was extended and altered over the years but the Torbay Historical Society has restored it to its present form. The Vaughan family ran the current picnic areas as a camping ground until they sold the park to the Auckland Regional Council in 1965. Amoung the park's interesting historical sites is a World War II gun emplacement north of the beach (on the Coastal Walk). This was part of a defence network to protect the Waitemata harbour from Japanese invasion.

Wildlife

The marine reserve includes rock pools to see at low tide. All sea life is protected here so do not take or damage any marine life. Look out for crabs, sea anemones, sea snails, barnacles, seaweed (Neptune's necklace and sea lettuce), pacific oysters and mussels. Dolphins often visit the waters of the reserve.

Native Bush

A significant area of mature coastal forest (Vaughan Bush) with a canopy of pohutakawa, puriri and taraire exists on the northern slopes of the Vaughan Stream. A fringe of pohutukawa forest extends north from Vaughan Bush to the Okura Estuary. Mixed manuka/kanuka shrubland also occurs on the cliffs in patches.

Picture of Long Bay
Put on your walking shoes and and head north along the coast - there are excellent views out over the Hauraki Gulf.
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Park opening hours:

Opens:
6am
Closes:
9pm

How to get there

Take State Highway 1 north and turn off at Oteha Valley Rd. Turn right and follow Oteha Valley Rd to the lights. Go straight ahead into Carlisle Rd and follow the signs through Torbay to Long Bay
Distance from Auckland:
25 minutes
  
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Public transport information:
Catch the bus to Long Bay
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