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Park activities

Bird watching
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Bird watching

The gannet colony at the south end of Muriwai is well worth a visit between October and February.

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Camping - vehicle based
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Camping - vehicle based

Muriwai Beach Motor Camp is a privately run campground. For more information phone 09 411 9262.

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Dog walking with restrictions
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Dog walking with restrictions

Dogs are permitted on Muriwai Beach in winter. Restrictions apply over daylight savings hours where dogs are not allowed down the Southernmost 200 m of Muriwai Beach between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm. (Dogs are not allowed South of the surf tower and should be kept well north of the flags and away from people). Dogs are prohibited on Otakamiro Point and Maori Bay.

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Fishing
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Fishing

Take care when fishing off the rocks. The powerful surf that generally pounds onto Muriwai makes it dangerous to launch boats.

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Horse riding
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Horse riding

Designated loop trail through the Five Mile Strip lying between the dunes and Coast Road, the trails are sand based and mainly quite open. There a number of minor trails cut through the regenerating vegetation that cross between the two sides of the main loop. Trails are marked with a simple home\away marker system.

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Paragliding
Picnics
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Picnics

Find your own favourite spot. For larger groups special conditions apply.

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Sightseeing
Surfing
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Surfing

Good surfing can be found at Muriwai Beach and Maori Bay. Maori Bay is more consistent but usually more crowded.

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Swimming
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Swimming

Muriwai Beach and Maori Bay have dangerous surf. Swim only between the flags. If there are no lifeguards on duty stay out of the water.

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Walks (less than 1 hour)
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Walks (less than 1 hour)

Take a short walk to one of the many lookouts at Muriwai, including the one overlooking the gannet colony.

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Wedding / civil union
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Wedding / civil union

Locations around Muriwai provide stunning backdrops for relationship ceremonies. A permit must be obtained prior to commencement. Some locations are very popular over the summer months and early booking is recommended. Please contact the Arataki Visitor Centre on 09 817 0077 to discuss your requirements.

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Tracks

Edwin Mitchelson Track
 ½ hour / 1.1 km
Lookout Track
 ½ hour / 0.7 km
Maukatia/Maori Bay Track
< ¼ hour / 0.2 km
Quarry Track
 ¼ hour / 0.45 km
Takapu Refuge Walk
 ½ hour / 0.8 km
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Muriwai

A windswept rugged coastline, 60km of surf beach and rolling dunes of black sand characterise Muriwai Beach, making it one of Auckland's most popular west coast beaches.
The name Muriwai traditionally applied only to wetlands in the Okiritoto Stream Valley. The park was established in 1906 as Motutara Domain, taking its name from the rock stack 'motutara' - island of the sea birds.

The domain was expanded over the years and became Muriwai Regional Park in 1969. Muriwai Regional Park extends from Maori Bay in the south up Muriwai Beach for 8km. The park includes the spectacular Takapu (gannet) Refuge at Otakamiro Point, one of only three mainland gannet colonies in New Zealand.  The best time to visit the gannets is between October in February.  The chicks hatch in November then leave for Australia at 15 weeks old returning to breed when they are 3 and seven years old.

Inland, picnic areas and walking tracks set in native bush provide a contrast to the harsh coastline.

Park facilities

Mobility access (partial)

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BBQ
There are electric BBQs provided or bring your own gas BBQ.
Beaches
Maori Bay and Muriwai Beach.
Cellphone coverage
Interpretation
Limited mobility toilet
There is wheelchair access to toilet blocks.
Native bush
There is access to native bush at Muriwai.
Notice board
Parking
Additional parking is available at Village Green and Five Mile Strip.
Picnic tables
Find your own favourite spot. For larger groups special conditions apply.
Potable water
Ranger contact phone
Ranger office
Sealed access road
Toilet block

History

Maori occupied the area for centuries. Ngati Te Kahupara, a sub tribe of both Te Kawerau a Maki and Ngati Whatua descent, lived there from the 1700s until the late 1800s. They lived mainly at Otakamiro Point, at Oneonenui in the headwaters of the Okiritoto Stream (Totoanui Falls) and at Korekore Pa (Pulpit Rock). Two pa (defended settlements) were located on Otakamiro Point.

Land was sold to European settlers and in 1909 Sir Edwin Mitchelson, helped establish the forerunner to the present park, the Motutara Domain. Mitchelson built a large homestead and extensive garden overlooking Otakamiro Point. Many of the exotic and native trees Mitchelson planted are within the park - look out for them amongst the regenerating coastal forest.

Read the PDF below to find out more about the history of Muriwai:

History of human occupation and archaeology of Muriwai Regional Park (2.2 MB PDF)

Wildlife

Muriwai is home to a wide range of birds but it is the gannets (takapu) that most visitors come to see. Two viewing platforms provide great vantage points to take in the spectacular location and watch the gannets.

The birds return here between July and October to re-establish contact with their life-long mates. After mating, one egg is laid and incubated in shifts by both birds until the gannet chick is born, naked and blind, 45 days later.

December is an exciting time as chicks clamour for food and parents nosedive spectacularly into the water at up to 145km per hour in search of fish to feed their young. Fur seals regularly feed and rest at Oaia Island 1.6km off the coast. During spring look out for them sunbathing on the rocks below the gannet colony.

Native Bush

Large areas of sand dunes back onto Muriwai. Since much of the dune area has been planted with spinifex and native pingao in an effort to stabilise the sand, visitors are asked not to walk on the sand dunes unless absolutely necessary.

Picture of Muriwai
Look at some of the best examples of pillow lava in the world.

Park opening hours

Pedestrian access
 
Open 24 hours
Gate opening hours
 
Daylight savings (summer):
7:30am - 9:00pm
Non daylight savings (winter):
7:30am - 7:00pm
Download map
 
Open map of this park in ARC-GIS
(our mapping application)

How to get to Muriwai

Follow State Highway 16 to Waimauku. Turn left into Muriwai Rd and continue to the park.

Distance from Auckland CBD: 45 km

  
Get directions with Google Maps

What's happening at Muriwai?

From signage improvements to planning for the redesign of the southern car park, Muriwai has been undergoing subtle changes which are geared towards protecting the environment as well as making the area safer for everyone.

Read more about the recent changes in the Muriwai update.

Driving on Muriwai beach

Rules and tips for driving and biking on Muriwai
General tips for beach driving safety