Golden sand meets blue-green water at the edge of Orewa Beach, which is backed by a range of vegetation and the Moana Reserve. All sorts of watersports equipment are available to rent in this dynamic spot lining the shores of Orewa, just outside Auckland. Enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean and watch beachgoers surfing the waves.
Join the surfers and swimmers in the waves and play ball games with your friends in the shallow water. The beach is also popular with kite surfers, kayakers and walkers. Stroll along this 2-mile (3-kilometer) strand and enjoy its total tranquility. If you’d like to continue walking, try the Millennium Walkway, an oval-shaped circuit around the town of Orewa, which should take a couple of hours to complete.
Back on the sand, rest weary limbs while sunbathing and working on a tan. If you start to burn or get tired of the sun, move into the shade of one of the Norfolk pines at the rear of the beach. They were planted here in the 1950s by the father of Sir Edmund Hillary, the famous mountaineer who was the first to climb Mount Everest. He used to spend vacations on this beach.
As evening falls, head for a meal at one of the restaurants along the beach. You’ll find plenty of shops, hotels and cafés here as well. Pick up ice cream for the whole family or enjoy a night out in one of Orewa’s bars.
Orewa Beach is on the eastern edge of its namesake town, in the northern suburbs of Auckland. From the heart of Auckland, drive north for 20 miles (30 kilometers) to get to Orewa in about half an hour. While in this region, consider stopping at some of the other nearby attractions, such as Wenderholm Regional Park, the Wainui Golf Course and the Centrestage Theatre.
