Cycling Beachlands To Maraetai Path

Distance: 
8.4 kms one way

Approximate time: 30 minutes one way with no stops

Date: 18/01/2021

Author: Britta Saxer

The share path between Beachlands and Maraetai offers a great cycle ride with expansive views across the Hauraki Gulf and lots of spots to linger, swim and picnic.

You will find a map with the trail on the side of the shelter at the Marina.  You could take a photo of it for reference or download the map attached.

From Pine Harbour you ride up the main road towards Cherry Road, which takes you through the old part of Beachlands. This part is the only stretch where you will have to cycle on the main road, it’s not very busy, and easy to ride.

Just before you reach the beginning of the walkway, you will find a carpark in Second View Road, in case you arrive. Once you have reached the park, the concrete path will lead you along the coast all the way to Maraetai.

You will pass several spots that invite you to stop, we have pointed them out on the map. But the most attractive feature of this path is the scenery. Omana Regional Park is home to lots of lambs in spring time, in early summer the Pohutukawa trees flower, the sea changes colour every day. I very much enjoy the path early in the morning or late afternoon, the light is spectacular and there are not many people out and about. Along the coast you’ll find two playgrounds, in case you have children with you. The safe beaches invite you for a swim, so take your time and enjoy!

The path is easy to navigate and shared with walkers, many of them with dogs or children. You can spot people on kayaks and paddleboards, surfers in case we have enough wind, and some people try their luck fishing off the rocks, so there is plenty of activity on the coast.

The Omana Esplanade allows people to drive their car along the shore, but a separate path will protect you from the traffic.

Around the corner a gravel path leads toward Maraetai, this is very picturesque. The Maraetai Boat Club with its boat ramp is a busy place for locals to launch their boats.

The path ends at Maraetai beach.

You will find this beach a hub of activities at the weekend. Especially when it is warm and the sun is shining, the wharf is crowded with people jumping into the water, gazebos line the beach and groups of people have fun at the beach.

 Our Tip:

If you come from further afield you can take the ferry from Auckland to Pine Harbour, Monday to Fridays, sadly there is no weekend ferry yet.  Check for ferry times to return home.  If you arrive on a weekday before 10 am on a weekday you can start the trip by having a coffee with Phil. Otherwise enjoy a coffee at Pepperjacks.  

Cycling this route during the week it is a lot quieter and the place has a quite different atmosphere.

Things to do nearby:

Along the beach are a few places where you can stop for a coffee or eat something. When you ride straight through from Pine Harbour to here, it takes about 30 minutes.

If you still have some energy left and you do not mind cycling the road for a little while, then you can cycle further along the coast to the Duder Regional Park, ride the look around the park, up to the trig on top of the hill as a little challenge, and back to Maraetai and from there back to Beachlands.

This loop is about 19km, so a good workout and you can enjoy the great scenery along the Pohutukawa Coast.