On the Cheap: Auckland - Bethells Beach
On the Cheap: Auckland - Bethells Beach
Time from Auckland CBD: 45 minutes driving, traffic dependent
Cost: Free
Ahhh the West coast again. In only a 45 minute drive, you can leave the crazy city behind, and be in peace. I took my Irish couch surfer out here for her last sunset in New Zealand. We cooked sausages on the beach, and devoured an entire packet of Tim Tams - her latest addiction - while seagulls dive bombed us in the hope of scoring a free feed.
As you come into Bethells beach, before you hit the main beach car park, there are two car parks, either side of the road. On left the left is the car park for the Lake Wainuma walk and on the right is the Te Henga walk. The beach itself is rough, just like any West Coast beach, so attracts plenty of surfers. There are a couple of islands between O'Neil's Bay and Bethells Beach, one of which houses a hermit, who has appeared to have barricaded himself onto the island. Enter at your our will!
Time: 4 hours
Distance: 8 km
Te Henga is the Maori name for Bethells Beach. This walk has amazing views of the West Coast. The track starts on Bethells road and ends on Constable road. If you're going to walk the entire thing, I would suggest taking two cars, and leaving one at start and one at the end. It would be possible to continue walking into Muriwai, and then hitch hiking back to Bethells, but may take you a while if you're walking on a week day!
Bethells Beach - O'Neil's Bay Walk
Time: 45 minutes
An alternative to the Te Henga is the Bethells beach - O'Neil's Bay walk. You walk on the same track then cut down in O'Neil's bay and walk along the beach back to your car. Much easier, and you'll still get epic views!
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 4 km
Lake Wainuma is a great place to spend the day! You can swim in the deep, fresh water lake, and there are impressive black sand dunes and a water fall.
Enjoy :)
Sunset at Bethells Beach
