Tāwharanui Regional Park
1181 Takatu Road, Tāwharanui Peninsula

Swimming safety hazard: Dangerous shipwreck debris in water at Ocean Beach

A large piece of debris from the Christmas shipwreck is exposed in the water at Ocean Beach (Tāwharanui north coast west of Anchor Bay), creating a hazard for swimmers.

Avoid swimming near the shipwreck site and follow all instructions from signage and park rangers.

Roadworks

The road to Anchor Bay is being sealed during May.

The road will be open to traffic under stop / go control during the forming of the road base.
When sealing is underway, the road will be closed. Parking will be available in the campground.

Drive with caution and follow all directions from signage, contractors and park rangers.

About Tāwharanui Regional Park

Tāwharanui Regional Park - View of the Lagoon by Jones Bay.

Set on the eastern end of the Peninsula, this park boasts some of our region's most beautiful white sand beaches, rolling pastures, shingled bays, native coastal forest and regenerating wetlands.

Dogs and all other pets are prohibited in the open sanctuary at all times.

To volunteer and find out more visit the Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society website.

To check for live information on water quality and safe swimming conditions at this beach, visit the Safeswim website.

Book accommodation at Tāwharanui Regional Park

History

Read the Tāwharanui - Our history brochure (PDF 2.1MB) to find out about some of the people who have lived at Tāwharanui, and the dramatic events that took place in the area.

You need to know

Pest control at Tāwharanui Regional Park

We use traps and poisonous baits across the park to control animal pests. Do not touch traps, bait or bait stations.

Please follow the instructions on signs, and from our park rangers and contractors.

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.

Tāwharanui Regional Park

Map of Tāwharanui Regional Park

PDF download1.11MB

Dog walking at Tāwharanui Regional Park

Our tip

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

All park, beach and foreshore areas
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
Applies to:
- the park on either side of the pest proof fence including Jones Bay and Anchor Bay
- farm paddocks
- all road and parking areas (including dogs in vehicles)
- camp ground, overnight parking and Tawharanui Bach.

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

Dog access rules for other public places

Visit Rules for dogs in public places to check the rules for walking your dog in other public places.

Visit Find a park or beach to check dog-walking rules for other parks and beaches.

Tāwharanui Regional Park

Map of Tāwharanui Regional Park

PDF download1.11MB

Facilities at Tāwharanui Regional Park

Pedestrian access

Open 24 hours

Pram access

Suitable for pram access, especially if remaining at beach level at Anchor Bay and Jones Bay picnic areas. Mountain buggies may be able to get further along some of the tracks.

Disabled access

There are no formed access paths to the beach. Sand ladders provide access points to Anchor Bay and the camp ground beaches. For special access provisions contact us on 09 301 0101.

Limited mobility toilet

Accessible toilets at: Anchor Bay - via the ramp at the car park and paved path, Jones Bay - you may need help to get along the metal path, Tents only campground - in bay 3, All modes campground - central location near the back. May need help across grass

Toilets

Tawharanui has a total of 10 vault toilet blocks, all of which are unisex.

Gate access summer

6am to 9pm (Daylight saving)
An automatic gate is located at the park entrance at the end of Takatu Road. This gate opens and closes automatically for any vehicles leaving the park at all times.

Gate access winter

6am to 7pm (Non-daylight saving).
An automatic gate is located at the park entrance at the end of Takatu Road. This gate opens and closes automatically for any vehicles leaving the park at all times.

Mobility parking

There is one designated car park at Anchor Bay.

Jones Bay car park

90 spaces (10 out side the gate and 80 inside).

Lagoon car park

12 spaces, 300 metres in from vehicle gate.

Anchor Bay car park

200 spaces, main car park

Tawharanui open sanctuary

Integrating conservation, recreation and farming. This pest free habitat provides a safe home for threatened native wildlife. To keep it free of pests, check your vehicle and gear for pests before you visit. Dogs are prohibited at all times.

Water supply

Drinking water is from a treated bore supply and is safe to drink. Drinking fountains are along the foreshore at Anchor Bay, next to the toilets at Jones Bay, at the lagoon car park near the start of the South Coast Track (white markers) and in the campground.

Mobile phone coverage

Patchy; some areas on the park have coverage, some do not.

Interpretation boards

A number of info panels are dotted around the park providing details on park history, historic buildings, trees and restoration work.

Beaches

There are four white sandy beaches along 3 km of the north coast. The main beach is Anchor Bay which is about 360 metres of white sand and in close proximity to picnic areas. It is an easy walk from the main car park to Anchor Bay.

Music

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

Native bush

Tāwharanui boasts some stunning areas of remnant and restored native forest with both mature and young trees such as kauri, pūriri, tōtara and pōhutukawa among much else.

Ecology Trail

60 minutes, 3 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Ecology Trail is open.

West End Track

90 minutes, 6 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if West End Track is open.

Maori Bay Coast Walk

90 minutes, 4 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Maori Bay Coast Walk is open.

North/South Coast Track

3 hours, 8 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if North/South Coast Track is open.

Fishermans Track

30 minutes, 2 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Fishermans Track is open.

Tāwharanui Regional Park

Map of Tāwharanui Regional Park

PDF download1.11MB

Activities at Tāwharanui Regional Park

Drones

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

Picnics

There are no designated picnic areas but find your own favourite spot. Feel free to bring your own gas BBQ. Groups of 50 or more require a permit.

Farm animals viewing

Tāwharanui is a working farm so you may meet cattle, calves, sheep and lambs during your visit. Feel free to wander through the paddocks containing farm animals. Avoid walking between young stock and their mums. You must follow all safety signs and respect restricted areas. Please leave gates as you find them.

Swimming

The bays at Tawharanui are great for swimming. There are four white sandy beaches to choose from on the northern coast with the picturesque Anchor Bay being very popular.

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.

Boating

No boat ramp, nearest boat ramp is Omaha Boat Ramp.

Kayaking

Personal water craft up to 3 metres can be hand launched and retrieved from Anchor Bay. Carry or trolley from main carpark.

Diving

The Tawharanui Marine Reserve along the northern coastline of the park makes for great diving opportunities. It is a protected marine area, so look but please don’t touch. There is a 150 metre walk to carry your diving gear from the Anchor Bay car park.

Bird watching

Going out at night to listen for and spotting North Island Brown Kiwi is a special experience.

Please remember:

only use red lights
no flash photography or spotlights
give them space, they are wild birds
don't chase or follow birds, stick to the track.

Fishing

Tāwharanui north coast – No fishing allowed. The north coast is part of the Tāwharanui Marine Reserve.

Tāwharanui east and south coasts – New fishing rules are in place. Visit the Ministry for Primary Industries website to check the rules.

Fishing the Hauraki Gulf? Visit the Department of Conservation website to check the boundaries of the new marine protection areas.

Tāwharanui Regional Park

Map of Tāwharanui Regional Park

PDF download1.11MB

Tāwharanui Regional Park1181 Takatu Road, Tāwharanui Peninsula

About Tāwharanui Regional Park

Tāwharanui Regional Park

Map of Tāwharanui Regional Park

Tāwharanui Regional Park
1181 Takatu Road, Tāwharanui Peninsula