Anawhata

Piha Looking North to Anawhata, Bethells and Muriwai Beaches

Muriwai looking south toward Anawhata

Anawhata is a beach on the coast of New Zealand west of Auckland.

Location

Distance from Auckland; 40 km (50 minute drive). To the south of Anawhata is Piha, Karekare and Whatipu. To the north is Te Henga (Bethells Beach) and Muriwai.

Access

It is one of the least used beaches in the area because there is a long and unsealed road to reach it, and a steep track from there down to the beach.

History

Local iwi (tribe) Te Kawerau a Maki occupied this area for hundreds of years, and many settlements and fortifications were established.

By 1870 Europeans had established farms and timber mills. A 14 km tramway was built between Anawhata and Whatipu to transport Kauri logs.

Surfing

It has no surf patrol, and as with all the beaches west of Auckland, swimming may not be safe due to rips.

Tramping

As far back as 1966 the Auckland Tramping Club used the Anawhata stream for a day trip. Trampers were dropped off in the hills above the stream, and collected many hours later from the beach in an old bus.

Anawhata beach

External references

• ARC
• Auckland Tramping Club
• zoomin map