Best Coastal Walks/Hikes on North Island, New Zealand
There’s no doubt in my mind that New Zealand has some amazing coastline to expl0re. From rocky mountanous Pacific conditions to tranquil sandy bays there are plenty of options. I fell in love with Northland (New Zealnds’s most northern district) and I always seem to end up in places with calm conditions and nice water for a swim. I find it adds soo much to the experience when you can take a refreshing plunge! The following is a small list of some of my favorite coastal walks
Maitai Bay
Mahinepua Peninsula Walking Track (Northland)
I put this trek first because it is my favorite coastal walk in Northland and possibly all of New Zealand. This short 3km walk gives you all the views, access to the ocean and tranquility away from the crowds compared to the more popular spots. There are 2 safe coves to dip in at the start or as a finale of the hike. The car park is also on a beach perfect for swimming. as well I loved the variety of views between aqua-blue coves to rocky & sharp coastline. There is no cell service, so be sure to download an offline map and be prepared with plenty of water because the trail is exposed with little shade!
Click here for more information on the Mahinepua Peninsula Walking Track
Cathedral Cove (Coromandel Peninsula)
I was fairly warned about the crowds of Cathedral Cove but even visiting during peak summer, it was still so enjoyable. There was plenty of room to roam the beach even with the number of tourists and kiwis. The rocky coastline and aqua-blue water are a sight to see and well worth a stop on an unforgettable Coromandel road trip. The short 2.3km walk to the beach made it more of an all-day adventure and I loved the town of Hahei for a post-beach day dinner.
Click here for more information on Cathedral Cove & to make sure the trail is open
Maitai Bay (Northland)
There is technically not a long official walking trek but there is a long beach walk and I had so much exploring all the little coves. We hiked up the hill separating the bays at sunrise as well as beach walks on either side of the bay. Mai Tai Bay was one of my favorite beaches in New Zealand for several reasons. The remoteness makes it feel so secluded and special. I loved the short walks all around the beach and the water was so clear and pristine. Because this bay is protected from fishing, there are so many fish to see, so bring your snorkels! We even saw some sting rays right off the shore. I highly recommend camping here, it was so magical to walk to the beach at sunrise and to be so close by. The campground is very bare bones as there are only bathrooms and a cold water shower but you can’t beat the views.
Click here for information on Maitai Bay or to book a campground
Cape Brett (Northland)
This is by far the longest all-day hike on this list and no doubt you need to be prepared with plenty of water, food and transportation. This hike is designed to be an overnight hike with a stay in the hut at the end of the cape but if you take a water taxi, it’s possible to complete it in one LONG day. If you hired a water taxi to drop you off and pick you up from Deep Water Cove, it is only 10km. However, if you are unable to get a water taxi on the way back, your total distance for the day will be 26km. We were able to complete 26km in one day by starting at 10:15am and finishing by 5pm. It was tough and hot but it was so nice to enjoy a dip in the ocean at Oke Bay afterwards.
Click here for more information on Cape Brett
Karioi Summit (Raglan)
The Karioi summit track is one of my favorite coastal hikes south of Auckland and it is the perfect hike to end with a dip in the ocean. It is challenging with steep terrain, ropes, and mild climbing so be sure to do it on a dry day. If you’re also looking for a surf town with eclectic shops and craft coffee Raglan is the spot.
Click here for more information on Raglan or click here for information on the Karioi summit track
Whale Bay or Woolley’s Bay (Northland)
This is quite a short walk but if you don’t have time for a long hike, this gives you good coastal views with a perfect beach to enjoy at the end. I specifically liked Whale Bay because of the easy access, clear water and gorgeous shells I found on the beach! Any of the beaches in this area are less trafficked and pristine so you cant go wrong in the Matapouri area.
Click here for more information on Whale Bay
Tapeka View Point (Northland)
A very unassuming Department of Conservation sign took us through a gorgeous ridgeline overlooking the Bay of Islands. This one is really only worth it if you have extra time in Russell but we were pleasantly surprised this neighborhood hike would have such gorgeous views.
Click here for more information on Tapeka View Point
Three Sisters and Elephant Rock (New Plymouth)
If you happen to be in the New Plymouth / Taranaki region I loved the beach right off our drive to New Plymouth. The massive boulders on the beach were so beautiful and on a clear day you can see Mount Taranaki from the coastline! This was a mostly flat walk but it’s still quite a trek from where the car park is and walking in sand can be quite tiring. It can vary greatly depending on the tide and be sure to keep a lookout for nesting seabirds!
Click here for more information on Three Sisters and Elephant Rock
Overall, I highly recommend making time to see the epic coastline of the North Island! The coastlines really are something special and something to not be overlooked especially when you’re here on a hot summer day.
