Muriwai Beach

Muriwai beach is a windswept rugged coastline, 60km of surf beach and rolling dunes of black sand, caused by the iron content derived from the ancient volcanoes in the area, characterise Muriwai Beach, making it one of Auckland's most popular west coast beaches. Surfing is the main pastime at Maori Bay while other pastimes enjoyed at Maori Bay include paragliding and hang gliding, especially when the prevailing south westerly wind provides favourable conditions. Inland, picnic areas and walking tracks with boardwalks in place set in native bush provide a contrast to the harsh coastline. There are also many mountain bike trails up in the pines, mainly downhill and freeride trails. Driving along the beach is popular, especially at fishing contest time, although vehicles have been mass stranded in past years. Sand yachts are available for hire at the local beach store. Large areas of sand dunes back onto Muriwai beach. Since much of the dune area has been planted with spinifex and native pingao in an effort to stabilise the sand, visitors are asked not to walk on the sand dunes unless absolutely necessary. Motutara Domain was established in 1906, taking its name from the rock stack 'motutara' - island of the sea birds. The domain was expanded over the years and became Muriwai Regional Park in 1969. Muriwai Regional Park extends from Maori Bay in the south up Muriwai Beach for 8km. The park includes the spectacular Takapu (gannet) Refuge at Otakamiro Point, one of only three mainland gannet colonies in New Zealand.

Wildlife

Muriwai is home to a wide range of birds but it is the gannets (takapu) that most visitors come to see. Two viewing platforms provide great vantage points to take in the spectacular location and watch the gannets. The best time to visit the gannets is between the months of October to February. The chicks hatch in November then leave for Australia at 15 weeks old returning to breed when they are 3 and seven years old. The birds return here between July and October to re-establish contact with their life-long mates. After mating, one egg is laid and incubated in shifts by both birds until the gannet chick is born, naked and blind, 45 days later. December is an exciting time as chicks clamour for food and parents nosedive spectacularly into the water at up to 145km per hour in search of fish to feed their young. Fur seals regularly feed and rest at Oaia Island 1.6km off the coast. During spring look out for them sunbathing on the rocks below the gannet colony.