Pakiri: Open Coast, Dunes and Coastal Forest

Pakiri is on the east coast of the Auckland region. Its defining landmark is Pākiri Beach, a 24-kilometre coastal beach stretching from Cape Rodney in the south to Bream Tail in the north. This long shoreline gives the area a clear coastal focus. When planning your stay, you can decide whether your main focus will be beach time, nature or a hiking leg.

An open coastal beach

Pākiri Beach is considered the only undeveloped surf beach exposed to the open sea on the mainland’s east coast, and a beach of regional significance. Extensive sand dunes and dune lakes line it. Pākiri Regional Park offers a different coastal landscape: the park descends the slope through coastal Pōhutukawa forest bordering Pākiri Beach. The park offers unobstructed views of Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island.

Activities at Pākiri Beach include surfing, swimming, boat fishing and surfcasting. Horse riding, walks and hikes are also available. This means water activities sit alongside exploring on foot or horseback—different options to consider when planning your beach days.

Coastal forest and access to the regional park

If you plan to visit Pākiri Regional Park, arrange access separately: there is no public vehicle access, and access on foot from M Greenwood Road is limited. Check local conditions before visiting. The change from open beach to forested slope gives you two distinct landscapes to experience during your stay.

Te Araroa: route and tides

The Mangawhai–Pākiri section of Te Araroa is a specific hiking option: it is 29.5 kilometres long, with a stated walking time of 7–8 hours each way; it is rated easy. Read the difficulty rating and duration together: easy does not mean short, and a leg taking 7–8 hours each way needs its own time planning. The southern end is at the Pākiri Beach access point. The two distances refer to different things: 24 kilometres is the length of the beach, while 29.5 kilometres is the length of the hiking section.

At the mouth of the Pākiri River, cross within 90 minutes before or after low tide to ensure the crossing is safe and possible. Check current route and access information before setting out.

Natural and cultural heritage

Two of only four known breeding sites of the tara-iti (New Zealand fairy tern) are on the coast along the Mangawhai–Pākiri section. The headland at the Pākiri River is fenced off to protect the breeding sites; follow current barriers and signs there. Te Kiri’s Pa is one of the historic Category B heritage sites in Pākiri Regional Park.

Where to stay in Pakiri

Pakiri Beach Holiday Park offers accommodation right on the beach with unobstructed sea views. Options include family and single cabins, as well as sites for tents, caravans and motorhomes. When choosing, the first practical distinction is the type of stay: a cabin or a site for a tent or vehicle.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Warkworth, Algies Bay, Karaka, Waimauku, Takanini, Mauku, Kumeu, Sandspit.

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