Discover Mangawhai Heads Beach
Mangawhai Heads Beach lies on the Pacific coast between the northern headland of the township of Mangawhai Heads and the rocky shoreline below cliffs toward Tangaroa Road. This 1.8 km sandy stretch is directly accessible from the surf club and offers a mix of surfing, walking, and rockpool exploration. The Mangawhai Walkway / Te Araroa follows the length of the beach from the Mangawhai Cliffs at the north end of the beach.
The beach is wide and very popular for swimming and surfing. From late October to Easter, the surf club provides a flagged and patrolled area at the south end of the beach. Access is easy, with a large parking area above the dunes at the south end of the beach, at the end of Wintel Street. On the northeast side of the car park is the access to the Goldschmidt Track, which climbs 60 metres above the beach, with outstanding views. Next to this is a large, unusual white rock formation, immediately above a track through the dunes to the beach. Further south is the Surf Lifesaver Clubhouse. You can also walk down to the river mouth (best at low tide) from the southeast corner of the car park.
The beach has some interesting features, aside from swimming and surfing. At the nearby south end is a rocky breakwater on the river mouth. At its eastern end is Sentinel Rock, which you can walk to safely at low tide.
Heading north below the steep headland, there are several unusual rock formations, carved over millennia by the sea. About 200 metres north along the beach is a large, steep dune, perfect for sandboarding!
Getting There
From Auckland, drive north via the motorway and State Highway 1 to Kaiwaka, then turn east onto Kaiwaka Mangawhai Road, which becomes Moir Street as you enter the township. From Moir St, take Molesworth northwest all the way to Mangwahi Heads, then Mangwhaii Heads Road and Wintle Street to reach the beach. Allow about 90 minutes for the drive.
After exploring Mangawhai Heads Beach, you can continue along the Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway / Te Araroa for a spectacular 4.5 km hike to Paepae-o-Tū / Bream Tail. Another lesser-known option is to head inland to the Tanekaha Falls Track in the Brynderwyn Hills. For a more relaxed option, visit the Mangawhai Museum and stop for coffee and food at one of the cafes or restaurants in the small town centre.
