It’s no secret that Auckland has some pretty nice beaches, and most of them can get quite crowded in the summer months.
However, there’s a hidden gem that many aren’t aware of that’s worth a visit due to its off-the-beaten-track location.
Karaka Bay (or Waiarohe in Māori, which translates as ‘bay of shimmering waters’) is a small bay located in Glendowie, an Auckland suburb.
Karaka Bay is considered one of Auckland’s hidden gems by locals. Yet it manages to remain serene and peaceful despite being so close to all the busy city. It’s the perfect place to go with the family for a day out. This beach is perfect for all-day enjoyment, so bring the snacks, the bubbles, whatever takes your fancy. This sweet spot can only be reached through a windy track of Peacock St.
About:
A very picturesque and striking scene…
Known as one of Auckland’s best kept secrets, Karaka Bay is an oasis of calm. From Peacock Street, there is a steep walkway to the beach in Glendowie.
Swimmers and picnickers enjoy the area’s shade from surrounding Puhutakawa trees, one of which has a swing attached for shade. St Heliers can be reached by walking along the cliffs at low tide.
In the bay, baches and homes line the shore and house authors, artists and a variety of colourful characters.
During the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi here in 1840, NZ’s first governor, William Hobson, met local Maori chiefs.
Karaka Bay represents the main entrance point to the Hauraki Gulf, and it also holds cultural significance.
In 1840, when the Treaty of Waitangi (the agreement between Mori and representatives of the English crown) was signed, the document travelled up and down New Zealand to be signed by various kiwi (tribes).
Info:
📍 Karaka Bay, Peacock Street, Glendowie 1071
Features:
✅Walkways
✅Picnic tables
The characters of Karaka Bay
In Karaka Bay, you’ll find some quirky people and animals.
The ruins of a houseboat that a family inhabited in the 1920’s were discovered recently by some young children digging at the beach with a metal detector. A storm forced the family to abandon their boat, but they continued to live on it until it broke apart!
Authors and artists have made this place their home over the years due to its creative nature.
An original white pig named Piglet used to wander along the foreshore and sometimes join local children for a swim. Despite Piglet’s popularity, there was a movement to remove him from Karaka Bay.
Even international journalists from the BBC and Reuters came to cover the story about the swimming pig (which speaks volumes about the quality of news in New Zealand! ).
In a children’s book called Piglet the Great of Karaka Bay, her owner, Tony Watkins, chronicled Piglet’s exploits.
You can take a stroll along the Karaka Bay foreshore admiring the stunning harbour views, or you can do a loop at low tide for a more challenging walk. After passing Ladies Bay (a well-known nudist beach in Auckland), continue on along the rocky headland to St Heliers.
Walk up the hill to Riddell Road and back to Peacock Street with an ice-cream from the nearby dairy.
Kayaking around the headland from St Heliers is another option for visiting Karaka Bay. Be sure to check the tides for this one, and the weather should be relatively calm and flat.
You can spend a great day at Karaka Bay. You can swim at high tide, and there is plenty of space to spread out on the sand or on the grass verges which are accessible to everyone.
For the perfect day in the sun, grab some picnic supplies from St Heliers or fish and chips from Riddell Road Takeaways.
