At the far western edge of the Ihumātao Peninsula in Māngere lies Maunga-taketake / Ellets Beach, a windswept strip of tidal sand and flats, surrounded by grasslands and facing the open Manukau Harbour. Remote and undeveloped, this Auckland beach is far removed from the city, with the cries of seabirds wheeling above the flats.
The name Maunga-taketake refers to the headland at the southern end of the beach. This was a prominent volcanic cone that has been heavily quarried and is now partially flattened. Despite this, the landscape retains a strong sense of identity. From the beach, you can see across the harbour to the Āwhitu Peninsula, the Manuaku Heads and the Waitākere Ranges.
Ellets Beach is known for its raw, natural character. The beach stretches for several hundred metres, backed by low dunes and patches of regenerating vegetation. At low tide, wide mudflats extend far into the harbour, attracting wading birds and offering expansive, reflective views across the water.
This is one of the best places on the peninsula to see royal spoonbill / kōtuku ngutupapa in their element, often feeding in the shallows or roosting quietly along the tide line. The beach is also a valuable nesting and foraging site for other shorebirds, and part of the reason for its low-impact development is to protect this fragile ecosystem. It's an ideal spot for quiet bird observation and photography.
To reach Maunga-taketake / Ellets Beach, take Ihumatao Road from George Bolt Memorial Drive. Continue past the access track to Ōtuataua Stonefields and the turnoff to Renton Beach to the end of the road. At low tide, you can walk north along the coast to Ōtuataua Stonefields.
