Top picks:

• See the awesome sight of the gannet colony at Muriwai
• Take the plunge and learn to surf at the local surf school
• Walk the coastal trail to discover Muriwai’s rugged beauty
• Eco-tour of West Auckland

Fact file:

• Muriwai is characterised by 60km of surf beach and rolling black sand dunes
• Around  1,200 pairs of gannets nest on the cliff-tops from August to March
• The gannet colony is one of three mainland gannet colonies in the country

Why visit?

Brave the windswept rugged coastline of Muriwai to see the impressive sight of the gannets (takapu). There are two viewing platforms which are great vantage points to watch the spectacular colony of birds. The chicks normally hatch in November then leave for Australia at 15 weeks old. They return to breed when they are three and seven years old.

Muriwai beach is also a popular surf beach with a well-equipped surf school for those keen to take a lesson or two. You can also hire blokarts, bikes and kites. If you prefer something slightly more sedate then take a stroll along the boardwalk that hugs the coastline and take time to enjoy the sea air at Muriwai.

Location

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