Muriwai Regional Park
458 Motutara Road, Muriwai

Check for open and closed tracks and help protect our kauri

We have closed large sections of our parks to prevent the spread of kauri dieback.

When you visit our parks, you need to clean your footwear and equipment to avoid transferring disease from one area to another.

Find open and closed tracks and read about protecting our kauri.

About Muriwai Regional Park

Muriwai Regional Park - View of the gannet colony.

A windswept rugged coastline stretching 60km north showcases Muriwai's spectacular black sand surf beaches. At its southern end, Otakamiro Point is the site of one of our few mainland gannet (takapu) breeding colonies.

This regional park boasts several trails that meander through native bush and stunning views from lookouts over the beach and gannet colony (seasonal).

There are barbeques, picnic tables, tennis courts, a playground and a small skate park available.

The gannet colony

You can watch the action at Muriwai gannet colony live on YouTube. At times you may see some distressing content as can happen in nature.

Livestream the Muriwai gannet colony.

Livestream the Muriwai gannet colony nesting rock.

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.

Lighting of fires prohibited

It is illegal to light open fires or discharge fireworks anywhere in the regional park, including on Muriwai Beach. Read more about rules for outdoor fires.

Driving on Muriwai Beach

To drive on Muriwai Beach you must hold a beach driving permit. Your vehicle must have a current warrant of fitness (WOF) and registration.
Only drive between the mean low and high water lines.
Find out more about the rules for driving on Muriwai Beach and apply for a permit.

How to access Muriwai Regional Park

Gate access summer ‑ 6am to 9pm
Gate access winter ‑ 6am to 7.30pm
Parking ‑ There are approximately 360 parking spaces at Muriwai. Additional parking is available at Village Green and Five Mile Strip.

What to see and do at Muriwai Regional Park

Skatepark ‑
Skate park safety rules

Our skate parks are not supervised.

Follow these rules to keep yourself and others safe:
- Wear a well-fitting helmet and other protective gear.
- Skate to your ability – don't try new tricks until you're confident.
- Don't sit in or walk through the skating area.
- Skate parks are for everyone – take turns, be courteous and have fun!
BBQ ‑ There are electric BBQs provided or you can bring your own gas BBQ.
Picnic sites ‑ Find your own favourite spot. For larger groups special conditions apply.
Emergency phone ‑ Located at the surf tower.
Drinking fountain

Map of Muriwai Regional Park

Map of Map of Muriwai Regional Park

PDF download

Dog walking at Muriwai 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.

Playground and sports surfaces
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
Applies to:
- playground
- tennis courts
- pump track.
Southern beach areas and seaward side of Waitea Road
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
Applies to:
- Muriwai beach south of the surf tower
- all park, beach and foreshore areas on the seaward side of Waitea Road, including Gannet Colony, Otakamiro Point, Otakamiro Point Track and Maukatia (Maori Bay) Track, Flat Rock and Maukatia (Maori Bay)
Muriwai Beach Campground and Muriwai Golf Club
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
Contact the campground and golf club directly for the current rules. If in doubt, assume dogs are prohibited at all times.
Northern beach areas
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Off-leash
All times - under control
Applies to the area from north of the surf tower.
All other areas
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
On-leash
All times - under control
Applies to:
- all other grassed and picnic areas
- Muriwai Beach Loop Track (excluding Muriwai Beach northern section where dogs allowed off-leash) and
- Mitchelson Lookout Track.

Playground and sports surfaces
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Southern beach areas and seaward side of Waitea Road
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Muriwai Beach Campground and Muriwai Golf Club
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Northern beach areas
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Off-leash All times - under control

All other areas
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	On-leash All times - under control

Dog access rules for other public places

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

Map of Muriwai Regional Park

Map of Map of Muriwai Regional Park

PDF download

Facilities at Muriwai Regional Park

Accessible toilets

There is wheelchair access to the toilet blocks.

Toilets

There are three toilet blocks at Muriwai, with a total of 16 toilets.

Gate access summer

6am to 9pm

Gate access winter

6am to 7.30pm

Parking

There are approximately 360 parking spaces at Muriwai. Additional parking is available at Village Green and Five Mile Strip.

Skatepark

Skate park safety rules

Our skate parks are not supervised.

Follow these rules to keep yourself and others safe:

Wear a well-fitting helmet and other protective gear.
Skate to your ability – don't try new tricks until you're confident.
Don't sit in or walk through the skating area.
Skate parks are for everyone – take turns, be courteous and have fun!

BBQ

There are electric BBQs provided or you can bring your own gas BBQ.

Ranger phone

There is a phone near the car park at the end of Motutara Road that you can use to call the ranger.

Picnic sites

Find your own favourite spot. For larger groups special conditions apply.

Emergency phone

Located at the surf tower.

Beach

Muriwai Beach and Maukatia / Māori Bay have dangerous surf. Only swim between the patrolled flags, and stay out of the water when the lifeguards are not on duty. Do not swim alone or on an outgoing tide.

Drinking fountain

Edwin Mitchelson Track

30 minutes, 1.1 km
Short walk suitable for mountain buggy. No pram or wheelchair access. Check if Edwin Mitchelson Track is open.

Maukatia / Māori Bay Track

Less than 15 minutes, 200 m
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Maukatia / Māori Bay Track is open.

Muriwai Quarry Track

15 minutes, 450 m
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Muriwai Quarry Track is open.

Gannet / Takapu Refuge Walk

30 minutes, 800 m
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Gannet / Takapu Refuge Walk is open.
This walk is also known as the Maukatia Gannet Path.

Muriwai Lookout Track

30 minutes, 700 m
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Muriwai Lookout Track is open.

Map of Muriwai Regional Park

Map of Map of Muriwai Regional Park

PDF download

Activities at Muriwai Regional Park

Weddings

You may need a permit to hold a wedding or civil union ceremony at this regional park. See 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.

Tennis

The courts are located along Coast Road.

Walking

Take a short walk to one of the many lookouts at Muriwai, including the one overlooking the gannet colony.

Horse riding

There is a designated sand based loop trail through the Five Mile Strip. See Where you can ride horses to find out more about riding in regional parks.

Volunteering

To find out about volunteering at 'Ark in the Park', visit the Ark in the Park website or contact us on 09 810 7014.

Skating

There is a half pipe and pad behind the tennis courts by Coast Road.

Skate park safety rules

Our skate parks are not supervised.

Follow these rules to keep yourself and others safe:

Wear a well-fitting helmet and other protective gear.
Skate to your ability – don't try new tricks until you're confident.
Don't sit in or walk through the skating area.
Skate parks are for everyone – take turns, be courteous and have fun!

Surfing

Good surfing can be found at Muriwai Beach and Maukatia / Māori Bay. Maukatia / Māori Bay is more consistent but usually more crowded. We do not recommend surfing alone.

Fishing

Fishing on the west coast can be dangerous. Waves are unpredictable and people do drown. Always wear a lifejacket, check sea conditions and talk to park rangers, locals and lifeguards to find out where the safest areas are.

Drones

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

Bird watching

The gannet colony at the south end of Muriwai is well worth a visit between October and February.

Swimming

Education

Learning Through Experience programmes are available for primary, intermediate and secondary schools. See Learning outside the classroom or phone 09 817 0092.

Map of Muriwai Regional Park

Map of Map of Muriwai Regional Park

PDF download

Muriwai Regional Park458 Motutara Road, Muriwai

Check for open and closed tracks and help protect our kauri

About Muriwai Regional Park

The gannet colony

Animals

Alcohol

Smokefree regional parks

Waste

Lighting of fires prohibited

Driving on Muriwai Beach

How to access Muriwai Regional Park

What to see and do at Muriwai Regional Park

Map of Muriwai Regional Park

Map of Map of Muriwai Regional Park

Muriwai Regional Park
458 Motutara Road, Muriwai