Tawharanui Regional Park
Tawharanui Regional Park
Tawharanui Regional Park
5
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5.0
268 reviews
Excellent
231
Very good
32
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Christine P
Vancouver, Canada306 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Amazing nature reserve to camp at. You need a code to enter on a lock pad on the gate (code received after booking). A predator fence protects the many birds, and I mean many (pokeku, pheasants, kiwis, pigeons, owls). The road is windy and narrow to access the park. Beautiful beach views, walks, sand dunes.
Pit style toilets, soap and water provided at the bathrooms. Lots of open space in the paddock to camp. Tons of bird life and bird life noises from the forest. Peaceful and relaxing.
Pit style toilets, soap and water provided at the bathrooms. Lots of open space in the paddock to camp. Tons of bird life and bird life noises from the forest. Peaceful and relaxing.
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy W
Auckland, New Zealand485 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
Good surf beach and very popular!
Easy one hour drive from Auckland.
Entry is via a bird reserve and is not suitable for pets!
Excellent caves and rock pools to wander at low tide too. A great place to take a picnic and stay for the day!
Easy one hour drive from Auckland.
Entry is via a bird reserve and is not suitable for pets!
Excellent caves and rock pools to wander at low tide too. A great place to take a picnic and stay for the day!
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pieter L
Auckland Central, New Zealand31 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Any visitor to the north island has to visit this area. A short drive of just over an hour from Auckland will bring you to paradise. The regional park has a number of short walks that provide views that will take your breath away. After working up a sweat dive in to the ocean from a couple of the golden sandy beaches. If you are interested in camping there is a site. But be warned. Book early, it’s always busy in summer.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheridan2808
Auckland, New Zealand118 contributions
Jan 2020
This beach is just gorgeous, safe for kids but good for a bit of boogie boarding. At the far end of the beach you can walk on the rocks and jump off, as well as snorkel around the rocks. There are bush walks and trails, shady spots under trees and lots to explore. Just try to avoid peak traffic times as it can get CRAZY busy,
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R K L
Seattle, WA3,777 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
When in Warkworth, a stop at Tawharanui Regional Park had been highly recommended. Frankly, once we arrived and I perused the map of featured tracks and trails, I questioned exactly why I was even there. The entire park would definitely be a hiker's paradise. After some discussion, my spouse convinced me to try the Fishermans Track. This would supposedly take 30 minutes each direction and be a "quick and easy walk to access the South Coast" and Maori Bay. After many pauses along the route to enjoy the numerous birds and protected wilderness, we reached Maori Bay...about 90 minutes after embarking. Not one to complain (untrue!), I suggested we take pictures to document the trek and started back. Blissfully, the return journey was much shorter than the outbound which is normally the case. But in the end, the opportunity to explore a protected, open and natural sanctuary was exhilarating. It was an excellent experience and I don't even like hiking.
Written 29 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Walter
Auckland, New Zealand18 contributions
Oct 2021
The ideal getaway if you're in Auckland and perhaps in a lockdown :)
This place is just an hour and a half drive away and is the ideal getaway. You're entering a nature reserve that has rare indigenous birdlife, some excellent camp sites right next to the most gorgeous beach and hiking trails for everyone. From personal experience I can also tell this is not bad place to take a date to.
This place is just an hour and a half drive away and is the ideal getaway. You're entering a nature reserve that has rare indigenous birdlife, some excellent camp sites right next to the most gorgeous beach and hiking trails for everyone. From personal experience I can also tell this is not bad place to take a date to.
Written 4 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CJSammo
Melbourne, Australia9 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
I come here multiple times when I'm back home in NZ. I have worked out an approx 10km run I do which starts at the Anchor Bay car park along the beach, cutting back through the protected forrest and along the southern coast out to Takatu Point and back to Anchore Bay. The views are stunning and different landscape and scenery keeps it so interesting. Anchor Bay is great for a swim afterwards.
Can't wait to head back there.
Can't wait to head back there.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanne
19 contributions
Feb 2022
To be honest, we were really underwhelmed. We are used to Doc campgrounds but this was very basic. Long drop - super smelly. No showers.
The beach was nice and the walk to the beach enjoyable. The check in staff member was not very friendly and definitely gave the vibe that we weren't their kind of people. Oh well, we left the next morning and went to Doc run Uretiti campground instead. Great facilites and super friendly.
The beach was nice and the walk to the beach enjoyable. The check in staff member was not very friendly and definitely gave the vibe that we weren't their kind of people. Oh well, we left the next morning and went to Doc run Uretiti campground instead. Great facilites and super friendly.
Written 3 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim S
Warkworth, New Zealand3 contributions
Jan 2012
Has to be one of the most beautiful places to visit/stay. Anchor Bay is a very special place. The camping is long drop style if you don't mind that kind of thing. The camping ground is set directly behind the beach/behind dunes, so you're protected from easterly winds. There are fresh water taps available (fine for drinking). There are magnificent walks around the penninsula (short or long). Surfing and swimming is wonderful. Not to mention that the Regional Park has been protected with a preditor fence, to keep out stoats, rats, cats etc... and part of the coast is a marine sanctuary. Love it!
Written 22 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Junevelyn
United Kingdom57 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
If you go to Matakana Market in the morning then spend the rest of your day at the reserve, you will be blown away by the experience. Nature lovers must not visit the area without experiencing the natural wonders this reserve has to offer.
Anchor Bay is simply stunning! Safe waters; fantastic rock formations; immaculate sands, dunes and flora and wonderful bird-life. One of my favourite places no matter what the weather. Wonderful for getting fabulous photographs if the sky is moody or blue and sunny.
Note: As this is a conservation area where there are kiwis living wild, this is a dog-free zone
JUST DO IT!
Anchor Bay is simply stunning! Safe waters; fantastic rock formations; immaculate sands, dunes and flora and wonderful bird-life. One of my favourite places no matter what the weather. Wonderful for getting fabulous photographs if the sky is moody or blue and sunny.
Note: As this is a conservation area where there are kiwis living wild, this is a dog-free zone
JUST DO IT!
Written 20 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to go on a self guided walk at night to see kiwis, without doing a tour?
Written 17 September 2023
Does anyone know if you can take a boat there even with the unsealed road.
Written 5 February 2019
The road is sealed but there is no place to launch a boat, the nearest public launch is Baddley's and Campbell's beaches or Omaha.
Written 5 February 2019
Without a car, how does a person get to the park?
Written 24 December 2015
Beatrice
Auckland, New Zealand
Yes, unfortunately you do need a car….we occasionally see people hitch out there..
Written 26 December 2015
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