This beautiful regional park and marine reserve is located only 1 hour from Auckland. The Tawharanui peninsula is a predator free reserve, with beautiful white-sand beaches, native forest and rolling pastureland. It’s an incredibly popular spot in summer for families staying at the campground, or day-trippers and surfers enjoying the beach at Anchor Bay.

The park includes several tracks for walking and mountain biking. It is a really great place to spot wildlife, including kiwi, takahe, little blue penguins and sealife in the marine reserve. Enjoy exploring the rock pools and sea caves at low tide.

Tawharanui also includes a campsite. You must book in advance over the summer period, and it is an awesome way to disconnect and spend a few days in nature.

Remember: The coastline on the north of the peninsula is a marine reserve. Follow the rules - no fishing, no fish feeding, no taking or disturbing any marine life, including shells, rocks and seaweed from the reserve.

Personal tip: Tawharanui is a beautiful gem, it is a place to truly disconnect from the hustle of the city and reconnect with nature. You can spot kiwi at night - the best place for this is on the grassy slope west of Anchor Bay (near the ecology trail). Send me a DM if you can’t find it and I’ll give you directions - I have a 100% success rate of seeing wild kiwi here!!

Pronunciation: Tawharanui: taa-faa-raa-noo-ee