Lake Wainamu is another unique Auckland west coast point in the Waitakere Ranges region. You can access it from a small car park immediately before entering Te Henga.
It is an amazing experience to walk over or around a giant sand dune along the Waiti Stream, which follows the north side of the dune. At the end of the dune is a lake, where the dune effectively acts as a dam. The best lake swimming is from the edge of the dune.
You can also walk around the lake on the Lake Wainamu Track for about an hour. At the far eastern end, there is a modest but lovely waterfall.
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