Bethells Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Bethells Beach featuring tropical scenes, landscape views and a beach
Bethells Beach
Bethells Beach
Bethells Beach
Bethells Beach which includes general coastal views and landscape views

With plentiful trails through coastal forests, amid sand dunes and alongside dramatic waves, this isolated beach is the perfect place to get back to nature.

Located 30 kilometres north-west of Auckland at the mouth of the Waitakere River, Bethells Beach, or Te Henga to give it its Maori name, offers a vast, wild landscape teeming with birdlife and tramping trails.Black sand, high surf, sand dunes and bushland provide the perfect environment for the proliferation of birdlife. In fact, the area is so well-suited to our feathered friends that there is an ongoing breeding programme here involving the New Zealand dotterel – a threatened species of bird which nests in the dunes above the waterline. Bethells Beach is now one of the rare places this bird can be seen in the natural environment.However, these are not the only birds in the area there's actually a wealth of birdlife that call Te Henga home, including harriers and petrels. Sometimes blue penguins even put in an appearance on the beach at night time.While the beach is quite an isolated location nowadays, there is plentiful evidence to suggest that humans have lived at Bethells Beach, and made use of its significant attributes, for over 1,000 years. Such evidence includes cave shelters and an inland "pa" (or fortified village) used for crop storage.While the water may seem appealing, particularly on a fine day, it's important to note that swimming and surfing conditions along the beach can be dangerous, with frequent riptides. On the other hand, this is a great spot for tramping at any time of year. So, bring a picnic and hit the trail to Lake Wainamu or Waitohi Falls. The trails here also form part of the well-known Hillary Trail covering 75 kilometres of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.In good weather, there's often a food truck at the beach, but it's best to bring your own supplies as, once you get here, it's quite a journey to get anywhere else. To reach Bethells Beach, you'll need to rent a car. Fortunately, there's more than enough free parking at the beach, mostly behind the dunes.

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
5 out of 5
83 Symonds Street, Box 2771, Auckland
The price is NZ$195 per night from 8 July to 9 July
NZ$195
8 July - 9 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star spa hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,331 reviews)
"Beautiful and friendly staff"

Reviewed on 4 Jul. 2025

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
3 out of 5
80 Wellesley Street West, Auckland, Auckland
The price is NZ$152 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$152
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Sky Tower and SkyCity Casino are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (501 reviews)
"My hotel of choice when in Auckland"

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
63 Westney Road, Auckland
The price is NZ$188 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$188
6 July - 7 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,284 reviews)
"Having stayed at many hotels around the world, Jet Park rates in the top echelon."

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West
Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West
4 out of 5
147 Victoria Street West & Graham Street, Auckland
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (509 reviews)
"It was at a perfect location with restaurants at a walking distance."

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West
Nesuto St Martins Apartment Hotel
Nesuto St Martins Apartment Hotel
4.5 out of 5
6-12 St Martins Lane, Auckland
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,376 reviews)
"Carpets worn-out"

Reviewed on 18 Jun. 2025

Nesuto St Martins Apartment Hotel
The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
4 out of 5
85-89 Custom St West, Auckland
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,468 reviews)
"Great location, enjoyed sitting in front of the window watching people walking by. Only disappointment was the didn't have decaf coffee, apart from that great stay."

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2025

The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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