Omana Regional Park

Distance: 
40 kms from Auckland City           

Approximate time: 
50 minute drive from Auckland City

The location is the perfect spot to spend the day relaxing and exploring, taking a quick stroll along the board walk or driving through – how long you stay is up to you

Date: 01/11/2020

Author: Annette Smart

Omana Regional Park is, situated in between Beachlands and Maraetai Beach, is the ideal place to enjoy a family day out.

There is a safe swimming beach, rock pools to explore, pet animals to feed, a children’s playground, large flat grass areas for organised games, a boardwalk and cycling tracks and plenty of picnic and barbecue sites.

The 40 hectares of land has a mixture of open farm land, regenerating forest, pohutukawa-fringed cliff tops, mangrove mudflats, rocky sea shore and a sandy beach.

Camping

The campground at Omana allows for secluded camping with lots of amenities close at hand.  Details for booking etc

Picnics

Barbecue sites overlooking the sea are also available. See the picnics page for details or contact the Auckland Regional Council on (09) 366 2000 or email info@arc.govt.nz.

Family walks

The Perimeter Walk encircling the park, or the shorter Farm Walk, are both great scenic walks.  The views from Omana are magnificent.  Look across to Waiheke and the other islands.  The many coves along this Regional Park allow for safe swimming and tranquil meditation.  

History

The park takes its name from the well preserved ring ditch pa, O-Manawatere (the dwelling place of Manawatere). Ngai Tai tradition records that this ancestor travelled from his Pacific homeland not by canoe, but by gliding over the water. By the mid 1840s European settlers were clearing and farming the land in the area. Kauri felled in the Maraetai hills behind Omana was hauled by bullock teams down to the sea and then floated to mills in Auckland.

Things to do nearby:

Maraetai has a couple of eateries on the beachfront.  Pine Harbour has eateries with Pepperjacks offering great views across the marina.  Rydges Formosa Golf Resort is close by. For garden lovers Ayrlies Garden shouldn’t be missed.