Muriwai Beach is a 60km stretch of sandy coast, which marks the northern end of the Waitakere Range region and extends to the mouth of the Kaipara Harbour. At low tide you can drive on the sand until the end of the beach, but most people congregate around the southern entrance beside Muriwai township. From there, it’s an easy short walk to the Muriwai Gannet Colony, Ōtakamiro Point, and Maukatia Bay.
The combination of the beach and short walks makes for a superb day out. The surf beaches are patrolled, making them relatively safe for swimmers, the cliffs are beautiful, there are a couple of accessible caves at low tide, and the sunsets are often spectacular. The beaches are also a little more accessible than the others in the Waitakere, so you should expect crowds on nice summer days.
Muriwai Beach
The southern entrance to the beach is right next to Muriwai township. This is where most sunbathers, swimmers and surfers congregate, and it’s the most accessible section of the beach, with nearby parking. The short road to Maukatia Bay around Otakamiro Point and the Gannet Colony is on the left as you approach the beach. At low tide you can also drive onto the southern end of the beach to launch a boat or to continue north along its 60 km length.
Although the town is a reasonable size, there are limited local services with the odd takeaway and cafe. However, there are plenty of options in nearby Kumeu, Huapai and Waimauku.
To get to Muriwai Beach from central Auckland, take the Western Motorway northwest to Kumeu, then continue on State Highway 16 to Waimaku. From there, head west on Muriwai Road to the beach. Allow about 40 minutes for the drive.
Muriwai Gannet Colony Walkway
The walkway to the Muriwai Gannet Colony starts at the end of the sealed section at the southern end of the beach. It takes only 10 minutes to walk to the top of the cliff edge viewpoints over the colony, then another 5 minutes to cross Otakamiro Point to Maukatia Bay. Along the way are fabulous views back over Muriwai Beach, the gannet colony, and Maukatia Bay. There is also a sea cave shortly after the start of the walk.
Ōtakamiro Point
When you walk from Muriwai toward the gannet colony, there are steps down to a large prominent rock platform which juts out from the end of the Ōtakamiro Point. It’s a popular fishing spot but also gives you a very different perspective of the cliffs below the colony, and of Motutara Island, which features prominently in photos of the colony from the walkway viewpoints.
Take care near the edge at high tide; the surf is very mesmerising!
Gannet colony
Gannets are present at Muriwai from August to March. During this time, they breed and parent their offspring until the chicks are ready to jump off the cliff and fly to Australia. After a few years, the surviving adults return to carve out their own nest space and repeat the cycle.
The walkway goes around the edge of the colony, and there are two main viewpoints at either end. In places, the gannets are only about a metre or so away and show no apparent concern for their audience. The southern viewpoint is the best position to see the birds wheeling through the sky and figuring out their landing spot. A great experience at any time of the day, but try to be there at sunset if you can.
Maukatia Bay
Maukatia Bay lies to the south of Ōtakamiro Point and the gannet colony. It only takes about 15 minutes to walk there from Muriwai Beach along the Muriwai Gannet Colony Walkway, or it’s a couple of minutes’ drive to the Ōtakamiro Point car park.
The beach itself is a typical Waitakere west coast beach, with black sand, surf, and a surrounding of rugged cliffs and hills. It’s suitable for swimming and surfing when patrolled.
At one time the cliff above the car park was quarried for scoria rock, but if you look more to the south side, you can clearly see 20 million year old pillow lava patterns in the cliff face.
Maukatia Bay Tunnel
At the north end of Maukatia Bay there is a natural tunnel that runs under Ōtakamiro Point and emerges below the south end of the gannet colony. It’s easy to miss as there’s no particular reason to wander toward the tunnel entrance if you don’t know it’s there.
You can safely walk through the tunnel at low tide, or scramble over the rocks below the point to reach the seaward entrance if the tunnel is unsafe. Look up to see the gannets hovering in the breeze off the edge of the cliff. And as always on New Zealand west coast surf beaches, exercise caution!
Muriwai golden hour
Spend the time between golden hour and sunset walking from Maukatia Bay along the Muriwai Gannet Colony Walkway to Muriwai Beach. This may be the single best coastal sunset photo opportunity in New Zealand.
From the edge of the car park above Maukatia Bay, you will see gannets criss-crossing in front of the setting sun.
Want more Auckland trip ideas?
Check out our recent posts about Scenic Drive, the North Shore Coastal Walkway, the Waitakere walking tracks, and more.