What's at Tawharanui?

Tawharanui Regional Park is New Zealand's first integrated open sanctuary where farming, public recreation and conservation of native species are combined.

Set on a remote peninsula in the northern Hauraki Gulf, it boasts some of the Auckland Region's most beautiful white sand beaches, rolling pastures, shingled bays, native forest and regenerating wetlands.

Tawharanui is 588ha in area of which 170ha is farmed with sheep and cattle. The Park includes high quality coastal forest, wetlands and east coast dunes. These areas provide important habitat for re-introduced species and are the model for restoration programs within the Park. The beautiful coastal forest features kauri and rimu on the ridges, and puriri, taraire, tawa, rewarewa and nikau in the valleys. Magnificent stands of pohutukawa forest are found on coastal cliffs.

A large campground caters for both tents and campervans and there is a network of tracks to explore, take in the views or get some exercise.

A Marine Reserve, established first as a Marine Park in1981, covers much of the northern coastline and extends approximately half a nautical mile seaward. The Marine Reserve is a ‘no take’ zone and all life is protected here.

Click here to visit the Auckland Council website for Tawharanui.