Whangarei
17.89°C
Whangarei
17.89°C
Waitakere City
16.98°C
Manukau City
17.11°C
Papakura
24.46°C
Hauraki
17.26°C
Waikato
17.67°C
Matamata
18.46°C
Hamilton
17.51°C
Otorohanga
18.52°C
Rotorua
16.6°C
Taupo
15.44°C
Tauranga
19.27°C
Kawerau
18.6°C
Whakatane
19.64°C
Gisborne
15.51°C
New Plymouth
16.98°C
Stratford
8.97°C
Ruapehu
14°C
Wanganui
17°C
Palmerston North
16.41°C
Wairoa
19.19°C
Hastings
18.84°C
Napier
18.49°C
Masterton
15.49°C
Carterton
15.66°C
Porirua
15.99°C
Lower Hutt
16.45°C
Wellington
15.79°C
Tasman
9.35°C
Nelson
16.27°C
Marlborough
3.22°C
Kaikoura
15.48°C
Christchurch
12.59°C
Ashburton
12.52°C
Timaru
13.37°C
Waitaki
11.32°C
Waimate
13.08°C
Queenstown
12.38°C
Dunedin
14.33°C
Southland
9.98°C
Gore
11.31°C
Invercargill
12.06°C
Blenheim
14.73°C
Te Anau
27.35°C
Wanaka
11.17°C
Kaikoura
13.38°C
Stratford
13.54°C
Upper Hutt
15.9°C
About
Te Arai offers pristine white sandy beaches at the end of picturesque rural roads and a glorious campground within the regional park.
It's an area well known by surfers for consistent and safe conditions and it's an utterly gorgeous spot for a day at the beach.
From SH1 in Wellsford, take Matheson Road at the top of the hill as you leave the shops behind. It's signposted to Whangaripo Valley, Pakiri and Tomarata. Continue on Matheson as it becomes Whangaripo Valley Road, then take Waiteitei Road to your left, signposted to Mangawhai.
At the end of Waiteitei Road, turn right into Mangawhai Road for 3.6kms then take Te Arai Point Road to your right and travel to the end. Much of Te Arai Point Road is gravel, so drive with care. A brief walk to the top of the point will give you views right along the beach and you can choose from swimming in the surf or at the sheltered old quarry swimming hole. Make sure you explore the beaches on either side of Te Arai Point as well because Forestry and Black Swamp are even more beautiful.
The area is home to several species of bird and plant whose existence hangs in the balance, including the New Zealand Fairy Tern and the Northern New Zealand Dotterel. It's crucial for them that you take only photographs and leave only footprints… do not disturb them and let nothing harm them. Dogs are not allowed at Te Arai.