Auckland Beaches: Muriwai

Muriwai: On busy days lifeguards pull dozens of people from the surf. - Gerri Eller/NZ.Com 1998

The rocks of Muriwai belong to the gannets, fur seals and terns.

Muriwai: Gannets soar above the cliffs on wingspans two metres across. - Gerri Eller/NZ.Com 1998

This is one of the few places in the world where gannets will nest on the mainland.

Muriwai: The gannets on Otakamiro Point migrate to Australia and back. - Gerri Eller/NZ.Com 1998

From September to March the birds settle on the point and the rocky pillar that rises beside it, as well as an island further offshore, A track leads south over the rocks to their colony, and in the skies above they whirl on the updrafts with hangliders.

Around the bend in Maori Bay, rock fanciers can examine the cliffs for radiating volcanic formations known as pillow lava.

Muriwai was once known as Motutara, "Island of the Seabirds". - Gerri Eller/NZ.Com 1998

To the north the surf rolls up onto a long, broad beach lined with pines to stop the dunes blowing inland. Nearby there are walks through Muriwai Regional Park, a golf course and horseridng

The Way

50 minutes drive from central Auckland. Take the North-Western motorway. hollow Route 16 through Kumeu to Waimauku, and turn left onto Muriwai Road, which runs into Motutara Road.

A caution: These beaches are inviting but rough. Be careful in the water and on the rocks - see The Rules.