Anawhata is one of the gems of Auckland's Waitakere Ranges. You can get there by taking the Anawhata Road turnoff about halfway along Piha Road. It is a pretty, winding, metal road through the forest, then along the high ridge above Whites Beach to a trailhead. Then, it’s a 20 to 30-minute steep walk down to the beach. There is a particularly amazing viewpoint on the cliffs above the beach about a third of the way down, not to be missed.
There is a camping ground near the end of the road, and you can rent one of the two houses you can see as you head down. The Auckland City Regional Park Service manages them.
You can also hike from Whites to Anawhata if you like hill climbs!
7 images