Bird watching opportunities are plentiful at Tawharanui with the Open Sanctuary giving you the chance to see many rare native species. Saddleback, North Island robin, bellbird, fantail, pateke and the occasional kaka are just some of the birds that may be seen during the day time. Kiwi and morepork are active and occasionally seen during the later hours. Restoration of habitat is on-going and will help provide the environment for further introductions of rare and interesting flora and fauna.

Tawharanui is a popular spot for many kinds of boating. There are no boat ramps or boat launching facilities within Tawharanui but they can be launched from Point Wells, Omaha and Sandspit. There is launching at Campbells Beach and Baddleys Beach but this can only be done at full tide.

Customers are allowed to bring boats on trailers into the campground as long as they are not over 5 metres in length. Boats of 3 metres or less can be hand launched from any of Tawharanui’s beaches. Hand launched and retrieved boats must be carried over the parkland from the car park so as to not damage the grass.

There are two campgrounds on the northern coast of Tawharanui Regional Park. The opportunity to stay over night in an open sanctuary and the chance to hear the call of a kiwi.

Tawharanui Tents Only Campground, a stand alone tent only campground with a capacity of 200 persons, and Tawharanui All Modes Campground an all modes (up to 8 metres in length) campground with a capacity of 80 persons.

These are the most popular camping grounds in the regional parks network, early booking is recommended if you are planning to stay over the summer months.

The Tawharanui Marine Reserve along the northern coastline of the park makes for great diving opportunities. It is a protected marine area, so look but please don’t touch. There is a 150 metre walk to carry your diving gear from the Anchor Bay car park.

Open Sanctuary, all parkland, access roads & adjoining beaches, council land at the park entrance: No dog at all times, including dogs in vehicles.

Click here to obatin rules and guidelines for flying UAVs and drones.  In particular pay attention to the code of conduct.

Enjoy the sight of farm animals grazing peacefully at Tawharanui.  Tawharanui is an Open Sanctuary with a working sheep and cattle farm. In the springtime, lambs are a popular sight attracting many visitors. You are free to wander through the paddocks containing farm animals but please follow any safety signs and respect restricted areas. Please leave gates as you find them.

Tawharanui offers some good fishing opportunities on the south coast. Fishing is strictly prohibited along the northern coastline defined by the Tawharanui Marine Reserve. Most of the northern coastline is in the Marine Reserve. Large yellow triangles mark the western and eastern boundaries. All fishing and/or removal of shellfish, removal or destruction of driftwood, plant and marine animal life within the Tawharanui Marine Reserve area is strictly prohibited.

Other Coastlines: Customers need to be aware of the fishing and non-fishing areas. Fishing along coastlines outside of the Marine Reserve is permitted and Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) regulations apply.

Kayak, canoe and sail opportunities exist at Tawharanui. For a paddle around the Marine Reserve, water craft of less than 3 meters in length can be launched easily from Anchor Bay in calm weather. They must be carried 150 meters over the parkland from the car park so as to not damage the grass.

The lagoon at the lagoon car park is very safe and sheltered for practicing and learning to kayak, canoe or sail in most weather conditions.

Mountain biking is welcome at Tawharanui with some easy family mountain biking along metal farm tracks as well as some more challenging grass and dirt riding on the hills of the South Coast and West End Tracks. Great views are available for all difficulty levels. Please note that the two way farm tracks are also used by walkers, park vehicles and farm animals so please keep to the left on these tracks and be aware of other track users. Mountain biking is prohibited along bush walking tracks but is allowed on bush vehicle tracks. Click on the links below to access track information:

• North-South Coast Tracks (Biking)
• Tokatu Point Lookout and Loop Tracks (Biking)
• West End Track (Biking)

There are no bookable picnic sites but it is easy to find a favourite spot of your own. Feel free to bring your own gas barbeque. Groups of 50 people or more require a discretionary consent. Conditions apply and consent is granted on a case by case basis.

Tawharanui offers some spectacular views. From the picturesque Anchor Bay to stunning ocean views via the elevated multi-use tracks and lookout points where several islands of the Hauraki Gulf are clearly visible.

Tawharanui is a popular location for surfers, especially if there is a swell on the east coast. There are a couple of north facing beaches which make for good surfing in winds ranging from south west to south east.

The bays at Tawharanui are great for swimming. There are four white sandy beaches to choose from on the northern coast with the picturesque Anchor Bay being very popular.

The Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc (TOSSI) was created to help the Open Sanctuary become a reality through fundraising and volunteer work. It integrates the conservation of native species, farming, and public recreation, allowing visitors to get in touch with nature and the species within. 

Click here for further information about TOSSI and how to get involved.

If you would like to recive further updates about this project, please email secretary@tossi.org.nz

Become a camp host and enjoy a free and extended stay at the amazing Tawharanui Open Sanctuary. We are always looking for campground host for the Tawharanui campgrounds. Please contact the northern regional parks office for details.

A great way to explore Tawharanui is via the network of walking and multi-use tracks that offer amazing ocean views or a close up nature experience within forest, bush and wetlands. Some of the longer tracks can take 1-3 hours and vary in difficulty and accessibility. Make your way to the end of the peninsula and experience stunning views along the North-South Coast Track or experience Tawharanu is flora and fauna up close on the Ecology Trail. 

Click on links below for track information:

• Ecology Trail
• Maori Bay Coast Walk
• Mystery Walk A
• North-South Coast Tracks (Walking)
• West End Track (Walking)

Tawharanui has some interesting short walks that feature magnificent viewpoints and scenery. From the Anchor Bay car park; take the short 170 metre walk to a great lookout point at the start of the west end track or a 400 metre walk along the north coast track which will take you to a great lookout point at Flat Rock. For a quick touch of nature; take a walk along the Fishermans Track for a relatively quick and easy way to experience some of Tawharanui’s stunning views and wildlife. Click on links below for track information:

• Fishermans Track
• Tokatu Point Lookout and Loop Tracks (Walking)

The park is not a wedding venue site. It is an outdoor venue for appropriate outdoor events. A wedding event is just one of many different outdoor events that may take place at Tawharanui Regional Park. Normal group booking rules apply.