Long Bay Regional Park
2000 Beach Road, Long Bay

About Long Bay Regional Park

Long Bay Regional Park - aerial view of the main beach, Vaughan Stream, and Okura River (2014).

Long Bay is a busy seaside park, protecting the most northern of the east coast bays and lying adjacent to the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve.

Book accommodation at Long Bay Regional Park

Book a picnic site at Long Bay Regional Park

You need to know

Animals

Dogs, other animals and pets are prohibited at all Auckland Council regional parks' bookable sites and accommodation. The exception is registered aid dogs. You will need to advise our staff at time of booking if you have a registered aid dog for an exemption.
Dogs are allowed in regional parks only as stated in the dog walking section. All other animals are prohibited at all times, unless you have a permit issued by Auckland Council.

Alcohol

Visible and excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
We may ask you and your group to leave the park and terminate your permit.

Smokefree regional parks

Our regional parks are smoke-free.
Please observe this while staying on or using our regional parks.

Waste

All our regional parks are rubbish free. Take all rubbish and recycling with you when you leave.

Outdoor fires

It is illegal to light a fire outside in all public areas in the Auckland region.

Long Bay Regional Park

Map of Long Bay Regional Park

PDF download1.54MB

Dog walking at Long Bay Regional Park

Our tip

Always follow the rules on where you can walk your dog on our website even if the information on park signs does not match. Call us on 09 301 0101 if you need help.
Read more about the dog access rules in Policy on dogs.

Long Bay Beach
Image of dog sign SummerSummer WinterWinter
Prohibited
10am - 5pm
Off-leash
5pm - 10am - under control
Off-leash
All times - under control
Southern car park
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
On-leash
All times - under control
Applies to:
- the southernmost parking area next to the beach
- the tracks with direct access from the parking area to the beach
- the path and pedestrian bridge from the parking area to Beach Road.
Vehicles must access the car park from Beach Road.
Dogs are not allowed in vehicles and can not be walked through any other areas of the park to access the beach, including from the Glenvar Ridge Road entrance.
All other park, beach and foreshore areas
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
Applies to:
- any grassed areas, playground, paths and tracks (like paths from Glenvar Ridge Access Road, the Coastal Track, Nature Trail and 100 Acre Track)
- any beach or foreshore areas north of Vaughan Stream (like Granny's Bay, Pohutukawa Bay, Piripiri Point, Long Bay Okura Marine Reserve and Okura River)
- any roads and parking areas (like Glenvar Ridge Access Road, on any internal road, bus turnaround and car parking areas)
- dogs in vehicles.

Long Bay Beach
Image of dog sign	SummerSummer	WinterWinter
	Prohibited 10am - 5pm
	Off-leash 5pm - 10am - under control	Off-leash All times - under control

Southern car park
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	On-leash All times - under control

All other park, beach and foreshore areas
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Dog access rules for other public places

See the Auckland region dog access rules that cover other public areas.

Long Bay Regional Park

Map of Long Bay Regional Park

PDF download1.54MB

Facilities at Long Bay Regional Park

Site 3

This site has a concrete floor structure: 6m x 16m with a rain proof roof and open sides.

The site has water, and is close to the beach and toilets. Trees provide shelter.

Rules for our bookable picnic sites

You must occupy your booked site by 9am.
Camping is not allowed on bookable sites at any time.

Bouncy castles and other inflatable devices in our regional parks

Your use of these devices must comply with:

Worksafe NZ regulations
the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

Contact our regional parks team on 09 301 0101 to request approval.

Pram access

The picnic area and the beach are pram friendly.

Limited mobility toilet

One accessible cubicle in the male and female toilet of all toilet blocks: Central - next to playground. Southern - centre of south ground car park. Northern - north of the northern car parks. You may need help across the grass to the northern block.

Mobility parking

There are accessible car parks near each of the three toilet blocks. The northern parks are on grass, and are flat and accessible. The southern and playground parks are marked on the tarmac. Car parks are monitored and unauthorised vehicles are towed.

Native bush

An area of mature coastal forest with a canopy of pōhutukawa, pūriri and taraire exists on the northern slopes of the Vaughan Stream. A fringe of pōhutukawa forest and an area of regenerating bush can be found around Vaughan Bush and next to Grannys Bay.

Picnic tables

Several casual use picnic tables are located around the park. Six of these are associated with casual use electric BBQs. Others are associated with our designated bookable picnic areas.

Pedestrian access

Open 24 hours

Showers

Three outside cold water showers are located along the foreshore at the top of the formed access points, from the picnic area across the dunes to the beach.

Notice boards

Notice boards by the ranger office and southern beach access of the park have maps, information about park facilities, activities, codes, rules and tides. A board just past the main entrance gate shows the bookable sites and who has the site booked.

Gate access summer

7am to 9pm (Daylight saving)

Beaches

Long Bay Beach: 1km of sandy beach a short walk across the parkland from the main car parks. Grannys Bay: a 20 minute walk north along the coastal tracks. Pōhutukawa Bay: a 30 minute walk along the northern coastal tracks. Note: you may see nude bathers.

Site 2

This is a small and even site with one electric barbecue, water, trees for shelter, and one picnic table.

It is 30m to the beach and 50m to the toilets.

Parking is beside the site.

Rules for our bookable picnic sites

You must occupy your booked site by 9am.
Camping is not allowed on bookable sites at any time.

Bouncy castles and other inflatable devices in our regional parks

Your use of these devices must comply with:

Worksafe NZ regulations
the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

Contact our regional parks team on 09 301 0101 to request approval.

Site 1

A small, flat-to-rolling site with one electric barbecue, picnic table, water, and trees for shelter.

The site is 75m to the beach and 100m to the toilets.

Vehicle parking is not available on the site - you need to park in the public car park.

Rules for our bookable picnic sites

You must occupy your booked site by 9am.
Camping is not allowed on bookable sites at any time.

Bouncy castles and other inflatable devices in our regional parks

Your use of these devices must comply with:

Worksafe NZ regulations
the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

Contact our regional parks team on 09 301 0101 to request approval.

Toilet blocks

Central: next to the playground.
Northern: just north of the Northern car parks.
Southern: in the centre of the south ground car park.

Vaughan Homestead

An 1863 farm cottage restored by the Torbay Historical Society. Ground floor has a meeting room, kitchen, toilets and a small information room. Upstairs is set up as a historic homestead room. Visit the Torbay Historical Society website to book the room and arrange access.

Gate access winter

7am to 7pm (Non-daylight saving)

Mobility access

Long Bay has gently sloping access ways to the beach and grassed areas are on gently rolling slopes. The BBQ, shelter site and Variety Children’s Charity Playground are designed for limited mobility access. The Coastal Walk is partially accessible.

Sealed access road

All roads leading to, and including the main access roads within Long Bay are sealed.

Interpretation boards

Several interpretation panels can be found around the park Vaughan Homestead and stream, and the sand dunes providing information on park history, historic buildings, trees, nature and restoration work.

Site 7

This large private site does not have any facilities or a barbecue. Cross the park entrance road to get to the beach and toilets.

Parking is available for approximately 20 cars.

Rules for our bookable picnic sites

You must occupy your booked site by 9am.
Camping is not allowed on bookable sites at any time.

Bouncy castles and other inflatable devices in our regional parks

Your use of these devices must comply with:

Worksafe NZ regulations
the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

Contact our regional parks team on 09 301 0101 to request approval.

Ranger office

Located in the middle of the park's main access road on the western side of the road, 300 metres from the main gate.

Site 6

This large private site does not have any facilities or a barbecue. Cross the park entrance road to get to the beach and toilets.

Parking is available for approximately 20 cars.

Rules for our bookable picnic sites

You must occupy your booked site by 9am.
Camping is not allowed on bookable sites at any time.

Bouncy castles and other inflatable devices in our regional parks

Your use of these devices must comply with:

Worksafe NZ regulations
the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

Contact our regional parks team on 09 301 0101 to request approval.

Barbecues

There are four electric barbecues available for casual use. There are another two electric barbecues on two of the bookable sites. Can be used when the site has not been booked.

Ranger phone

Ranger contact phone is located outside and to the right of the ranger station front door.

Water supply

Drinking water is from a town supply and is safe to drink. Drinking fountains are located around the foreshore.

Security cameras

Cameras are in place at various locations around the park and overlook many car parks.

Nature Trail

30 minutes, 800 m
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Nature Trail is open.

Parking

There are approximately 1625 car parking spaces within seven car parking areas, and 10 bus parking spaces. Some parking areas are seasonal and open depending on the ground conditions. Expect delays on weekends and public holidays over the summer.

Boat ramp

None, nearest boat ramp is at Waiake Beach about a 5 minutes drive south.

Security gate

Automatic gates are located at the park entrances at the end of Beach and Glenvar Ridge roads. They will open at any time for vehicles exiting the park.

Coastal Walk

3 hours, 6 km
Tramping track. Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Coastal Walk is open.

Mobile phone coverage

Good coverage over most of the park.

Music

No amplified music allowed. This includes bluetooth speakers and amplifiers.

Site 4

This large grassed area has a permanent structure on concrete: 6m x 10.5m, with rain proof roof and open sides. The site has two picnic tables - one accessible on cobble stone.

Rules for our bookable picnic sites
You must occupy your booked site by 9am.
Camping is not allowed on bookable sites at any time.
Bouncy castles and other inflatable devices in our regional parks
Your use of these devices must comply with:

Worksafe NZ regulations

the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

Contact our regional parks team on 09 301 0101 to request approval.

Long Bay Regional Park

Map of Long Bay Regional Park

PDF download1.54MB

Activities at Long Bay Regional Park

Fishing

Fishing is prohibited in all areas of Long Bay Regional Park as the Long Bay Okura Marine Reserve runs along the park’s entire coastline.

Picnics

Long Bay is a great place for a picnic and it’s easy to find a picturesque spot. Bring your own gas barbecue. Groups of 100 people or more must book one of the six bookable sites.

Surfing

If there's a big swell on the east coast then there are often waves here.

Sightseeing

From the picturesque main beach of Long Bay to the visible offshore islands, Long Bay Regional Park offers spectacular views.

Diving

The Okura Marine Reserve runs along the eastern coastline of the park makes for great diving opportunities. It is a protected marine area so look but don't touch.

Kayaking

In calm weather, kayaks are launched easily. A quiet paddle will take you to Piripiri Point and into the Okura River.

Bird watching

A wide variety of native, shore and exotic birds can be found within Long Bay Regional Park.

Education

Long Bay lies adjacent to the Okura Marine Reserve. Marine environment programmes are available for primary school children.

Diving

The Long Bay Marine Reserve along the northern coastline of the park makes for great diving opportunities. It is a protected marine area so look but don’t touch.

Walking

Take in stunning views of the Hauraki Gulf and its offshore islands by walking the Coastal Track towards the Okura River. Grannies and Pohutukawa Bay offer a picturesque opportunity for a rest or swim.

Weddings

You may need a permit to hold a wedding or civil union ceremony at this regional park. Check Apply for a permit to have an event or wedding in a regional park for more information, or call 09 301 0101 and ask to speak to a Senior Park Ranger.

Walking

The picnic area and the beach are pram friendly. Access is not suitable north of the main beach due to rocks and stairs.

Farm animals viewing

Long Bay is a working farm so you may meet cattle during your visit. Feel free to wander through the paddocks containing farm animals. You must follow all safety signs and respect restricted areas. Please leave gates as you find them.

Boating

All beaches here are generally calm and make for a pleasant boating experience. There is no boat ramp at Long Bay but boats of up to 3 metres can be hand launched and retrieved.

Swimming

The main beach at Long Bay has life guards patrolling during the peak summer months. The bays further north can be accessed via the Coastal Track or around the beach at low tide only. Long Bay Marine Reserve is a great place to snorkel.

Drones

Check Flying drones or unmanned aerial vehicles for current rules and guidelines for flying in our parks.

Education

Learning Through Experience programmes are available for primary, intermediate and secondary schools. Check Learning outside the classroom or phone 09 890 8646.

Volunteering

Every Tuesday a team of volunteers do tree planting, track maintenance, mulching and pest management. There are also opportunities to work alongside the ranger staff and at the Long Bay nursery.

Long Bay Regional Park

Map of Long Bay Regional Park

PDF download1.54MB

Long Bay Regional Park2000 Beach Road, Long Bay

About Long Bay Regional Park

Book accommodation at Long Bay Regional Park

Book a picnic site at Long Bay Regional Park

Long Bay Regional Park

Map of Long Bay Regional Park

Long Bay Regional Park
2000 Beach Road, Long Bay