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Muriwai, West Auckland
1.6 km
30 minutes
78 metres
Safety notice: Conditions change; check DOC/local council/weather before walking.
If you are searching for a short coastal walk that packs a massive punch, look no further than the wild west coast of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. The Muriwai Maukatia Gannet Walk (also known as the Maukatia Gannet Track or Ōtakamiro Point Walk) is a legendary local favourite, offering an up-close-and-personal encounter with New Zealand’s largest mainland gannet colony. Whether you are a born-and-bred Kiwi looking for a weekend micro-adventure or a international visitor ticking off your Auckland bucket list, this easy, family-friendly walk is an absolute must-do.
At just 1.6km return, the Muriwai Maukatia Gannet Walk is a wonderfully accessible out-and-back trail that takes about half an hour to complete. But do not let the short duration fool you—you will easily want to spend an hour or more lingering at the lookouts, mesmerised by the sheer scale of the landscape and the chaotic beauty of the birds.
Starting from the main Muriwai Beach car park, the trail gently climbs a well-formed path made of gravel and sturdy wooden boardwalks. With a modest elevation gain of 78 metres, it is an easy stroll that is highly kid-friendly, making it the perfect Sunday morning excursion for the whole family. However, to keep the local wildlife safe, dogs are strictly prohibited on this track, so you will need to leave your four-legged friends at home for this one.
As you step onto the track, the sensory experience begins immediately. You will feel the salt spray on your skin and hear the thunderous roar of the Tasman Sea crashing against the black sand below. As you draw closer to the cliffs of Ōtakamiro Point, another sound takes over: the cacophony of thousands of nesting seabirds squawking, calling, and chattering. It is an incredibly immersive experience that captures the raw, untamed essence of Auckland's west coast.
The absolute crown jewel of this walk is the pair of custom-built wooden viewing platforms suspended right over the edge of the cliffs at Ōtakamiro Point. These lookouts place you mere metres away from the bustling gannet colony. From this vantage point, you can look directly down onto the rocky shelves and offshore sea stacks where thousands of birds build their nests.
Aside from the birds, the raw geological beauty of the coastline is spectacular. Muriwai is famous for its dramatic black sand beaches, coloured by iron-rich volcanic material from the ancient Waitākere Volcano. If you look closely at the rock faces along the track, you will spot ancient lava pillow formations—bulbous, rounded rock shapes created millions of years ago when hot lava cooled rapidly underwater.
Free parking is available at the main Muriwai Beach car park, located at the end of Motutara Road, or at the Waitea Road car park. Public toilets are available at the car park, which also includes designated mobility parks. The car park can get busy, especially during weekends and the gannet breeding season (August to March), so arriving early is recommended.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Morus serrator
These impressive large seabirds are renowned for their spectacular plunge-diving technique, hitting the water at high speeds to catch fish.
Best time: Spring-Autumn
Best time: Spring-Summer
Refuel after your hike at these nearby spots
500m away
A casual beachfront cafe located very close to the main car park, offering coffee, muffins, pies, smoothies, ice cream, and popular fish and chips. Perfect for a post-walk treat.
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Out and back
Following severe storm damage in early 2023, this beloved track was temporarily closed to ensure visitor safety and allow the cliffs to stabilise. Thankfully, the viewing platforms officially reopened in December 2024. The renewed track feels safe and beautifully maintained, though it is always a good idea to check the Auckland Council website before you go, as minor remedial maintenance may occur outside of the breeding season.
Muriwai is located on Auckland's rugged western edge, roughly a 45-minute drive from Auckland CBD.
To reach the trailhead, drive to the very end of Motutara Road, where you will find the main Muriwai Beach car park. If this area is full, additional parking is available at the nearby Waitea Road car park. Parking is free, and the main car park features public toilets and designated mobility parking spaces.
Because this is one of Auckland's most iconic short walks, the car park can fill up incredibly fast on sunny weekends, public holidays, and during the peak of the gannet breeding season (August to March). Arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon is highly recommended to secure a spot and enjoy a quieter trail.
The star of the show here is undoubtedly the Australasian gannet, known in te reo Māori as tākapu.
While the walk is open and beautiful all year round, spring and summer are the peak seasons to visit. This is when the tākapu colony is at its most active, noisy, and fascinating. By autumn, the adults and their newly fledged chicks begin their migration back across the Tasman, leaving the cliffs quiet but still geologically impressive. Winter visits offer a different kind of magic, showcasing the moody, tempestuous power of the West Coast storms.
No matter the season, the best time of day to walk is late afternoon. Watching the sun sink directly into the Tasman Sea from the viewing platforms, casting a golden light over the white feathers of the gannets, is a sight you will not soon forget.
Because of its highly exposed coastal location, Muriwai is frequently battered by strong, prevailing westerly winds. Even on a warm summer day, the clifftops can feel cool and windswept. Be sure to pack a windproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes, sun protection (as there is very little shade), and your camera or binoculars.
Muriwai and Ōtakamiro Point hold deep cultural significance for the local iwi (Māori tribe), Te Kawerau ā Maki. For centuries, this area was a vital source of food (kaimoana) and a strategic lookout point. The name Maukatia refers to the bay directly to the south of the gannet colony, reminding visitors of the rich cultural heritage woven into this wild landscape.
As you walk, please respect the local environment by staying on the marked tracks. The gannets are highly sensitive to human disturbance, and staying behind the barriers ensures they can raise their chicks in peace.
Once you have filled your camera roll with bird photos, it is time to refuel. Luckily, Muriwai has some fantastic local spots just minutes from the trail:
Haematopus unicolor
Coastal wading bird with a distinctive long orange-red bill. Found on beaches and estuaries around New Zealand.
Best time: Year-round
Larus dominicanus
A large, robust gull species commonly found along New Zealand's coastlines, distinguishable by its dark back and powerful bill.
Best time: Year-round
Hirundo neoxena
A small, agile passerine bird with metallic blue-black plumage and a forked tail, known for its swift, darting flight while catching insects.
Best time: Year-round
Microcarbo melanoleucos
Found in both pied (black and white) and all-black morphs in New Zealand, these small cormorants are expert underwater fishers, diving to catch fish and crustaceans.
Best time: Year-round
700m away
Located inside the historic 100-year-old Muriwai Lodge, this popular deli serves coffee, sandwiches, toasties, and their famous doughnuts. It also operates as a bar on Friday and Saturday evenings.