Coastal Walks near to Auckland

Hi, try these (some of my favourites). You'll need a map to follow these instructions. These trips are all a bit shorter than 4-5 hours, except for the Whangarei Heads one which is about 4-5. Tawharanui Regional Park - Anchor Bay along coast to Ecology Trail, up to ridge line, along to the headland above the Point, back to Ecology trail, back to start. Mostly farmland. Great views. http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/main/parks/our-parks/parks-in-the-region/tawharanui/ Scandrett Regional Park - start on the ridge just before the homestead, walk along ridge to the headland above the point, return partly the same way then veer right on poled route to homestead, then along past baches and up to ridge then turn left and walk 100m back to start. Mostly farmland. Beautiful pohutukawas. Great views. At low tide you can walk from the homestead around the coast to Martins Bay, then over a track back to homestead. http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/main/parks/our-parks/parks-in-the-region/scandrett/ Piha - start at end of Log Race Rd which joins Te Ahuahu Rd (before the main road drops down to Piha). Take the Mercer Bay Loop then hald way around veer right then soon right again to take the Comans track to Karekare. At the bottom you reach a saddle. Go right into sand dunes then left around the Watchman, across a small stream then south along the beach to far end then up track (Pohutukawa Glade Walk) to Karakare then up road 50m and up side road to Ahu Ahu Track then left on Mercer Bay Loop then right straight up to your start point. Stunning views. Karakare, south along beach and track through tunnel to Pararaha stream. Up Zion track and down to Karekare. Great black sand dune. http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/main/parks/our-parks/parks-in-the-region/karekare/ North Piha up Marawhara Track, White Track to Whites Beach (or down the Field Club track if you can find it, starts at NZMG 2640340E 6474050N), south on White Beach, up to saddle, along Laird Thomson Track back to North Piha. http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/main/parks/our-parks/parks-in-the-region/piha/ Bethells: Te Henga Walkway as far as lookout above Raetahinga Point, back to ONeill Bay then along beach to Bethells Beach and walk up stream or road to start point. At low tide you can go into a narrow cave at extreme north end of Bethells Beach, under Kotau peninsula. http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36814 Rangitoto Island: ferry jetty to McKenzie Bay, up to summit, down to causeway (Islington Bay), along coast track (actually it is inland) to ferry jetty. This one is further afield but well worth it: Whangarei Heads: Ocean Beach to Te Whara, along and down to Peach Cove, back up to ridge and down Peach Cove Track to road, short walk along road to Ocen Beach again. Amazing views, interesting rock. We saw a kaka feeding in the forest above Peach Cove. http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=36928\ Enjoy!