Guide to: KareKare

Hike to the Falls

Just under an hour drive from Auckland city, is gorgeous KareKare where you can fit a swim beneath a waterfall and a beach trip in one day all from a single parking lot.

Park at the Karekare beach parking lot. There is a restroom available and parking is free.

Start by walking up the road until you see a small path with a little yellow sign on the left side of the road.

It’s only a few minutes walk, downhill and flat on the way there.

There is a big shady space for picnics and a creek for little kids to play. The pool beneath the falls was no more than belly button height at its deepest when we went in late summer.

Hike to the Beach

When you’ve had your fill of the falls, go back the way you came. Stop by the restroom, the little cafe, or your car as needed as you pass by and down the sandy trail along the stream to Karekare Beach.

This walk felt a little harder and longer than the walk to the falls, but still very much manageable.

This is a black sand beach so be aware of potentially hot sand.

The beach is expansive, with a stream to play in, rocks to climb, and shells to hunt for.

We watched surfers cruise to the water on their fat bikes as well but beware this beach is not recommended for swimming in the ocean.

Happy hiking!