Anawhata
Location
Distance from Auckland; 40 km (50 minute drive). To the south of Anawhata are 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.
External links
- ARC
- Auckland Tramping Club
- zoomin map
- Photographs of Anawhata held in Auckland Libraries' heritage collections.