Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
Also known as Bethells Beach

257 Bethells Road, Bethells Beach

Check for open and closed tracks and help protect our kauri

We have closed large sections of the Waitākere Ranges to prevent the spread of kauri dieback.

When you visit our parks, you need to clean your footwear and equipment to avoid transferring disease from one area to another.

Find open and closed tracks and read about protecting our kauri.

About Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Te Henga (Bethells Beach), Waitākere Ranges Regional Park - Aerial view of privately owned Ihumoana Island (not accessible to the public).

This wild black sand beach in the Waitākere Ranges is well worth a visit. Here you will find, behind the sand dunes, Lake Wainamu - a popular swimming alternative to the rough west coast surf.

This small area has limited vehicle access and parking.

Note: there is no mobile phone coverage at Bethells Beach.

To check for live information on water quality and safe swimming conditions at Auckland beaches, see the Safeswim website.

You need to know

Animals

Dogs, other animals and pets are prohibited at all Auckland Council regional parks' bookable sites and accommodation. The exception is registered aid dogs. You will need to advise our staff at time of booking if you have a registered aid dog for an exemption.
Dogs are allowed in regional parks only as stated in the dog walking section. All other animals are prohibited at all times, unless you have a permit issued by Auckland Council.

Alcohol

Visible and excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
We may ask you and your group to leave the park and terminate your permit.

Smokefree regional parks

Our regional parks are smoke-free.
Please observe this while staying on or using our regional parks.

Waste

All our regional parks are rubbish free. Take all rubbish and recycling with you when you leave.

Outdoor fires

It is illegal to light a fire outside in all public areas in the Auckland region.

Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Map of Te Henga/Bethells, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

PDF download1.22MB

Dog walking at Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Our tip

Always follow the rules shown on our website for where you can walk your dog, even if the information on park signs does not match. Call us on 09 301 0101 if you need help.
Read more about dog access rules in Policy on dogs.

Beach - Bethells Beach
Image of dog sign WinterWinter SummerSummer
On-leash
Sunset to sunrise
On-leash
All times
Off-leash
Sunrise to sunset
This covers the main beach from the surf club, along the lagoon and to the marker pole 200 metres south of the surf watch tower.
Beach - Bethells Beach (south end)
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
On-leash
All times
This covers from the marker pole 200 metres south of the surf watch tower to the southern headland.
Beach - Bethells Beach (south of headland)
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
This covers the area south of the small headland at the southern end of the beach.
Beach access area
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
On-leash
All times
This covers the car park area, café area, and the beach area from the entrance at the surf club and along the track leading to the lagoon and beach.
Walking track areas
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
This includes all areas on the Te Henga walkway, Lake Wainamu Track, streambed, lake, lake margining and surrounding dunes.
Beach - O'Neills Bay
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
This covers all areas of O'Neills Bay.
Beach - Waitakere Bay
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
On-leash
Sunset to sunrise
Off-leash
Sunrise to sunset
This covers the Waitakere Bay beach area north of the river mouth.

Beach - Bethells Beach
Image of dog sign	WinterWinter	SummerSummer
	On-leash Sunset to sunrise	On-leash All times
	Off-leash Sunrise to sunset

Beach - Bethells Beach (south end)
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	On-leash All times

Beach - Bethells Beach (south of headland)
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Beach access area
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	On-leash All times

Walking track areas
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Beach - O'Neills Bay
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Beach - Waitakere Bay
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	On-leash Sunset to sunrise
	Off-leash Sunrise to sunset

Dog access rules for other public places

Visit Rules for dogs in public places to check the rules for walking your dog in other public places.

Visit Find a park or beach to check dog-walking rules for other parks and beaches.

Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Map of Te Henga/Bethells, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

PDF download1.22MB

Facilities at Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Pedestrian access

Open 24 hours

Car park

Access the main car park from Bethells Road. Gate open 7am to 9.30pm in summer and 7am to 7pm in winter.

Parking

There are 20 car parks at Lake Wainamu. Additional parks are available at Te Henga walkway trail head.

Toilets

Located west of the car park and south of the Surf Life Saving Club. Open 7am to 9.30pm in summer and 7am to 7pm in winter.

Drinking fountain

Located by the toilets.

Picnic tables

Scattered throughout the park.

Mobile phone coverage

No coverage at Bethells Beach.

Beach

You can surf at Bethells Beach and Oneils.

Waitoru Reserve Track

45 minutes, 1 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Waitoru Reserve Track is open.

Wainamu Bush Track

120 minutes, 2 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Wainamu Bush Track is open.

Te Henga Walkway

4 hours, 8 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Te Henga Walkway is open.

Mokoroa Falls Track

30 minutes, 1.4 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Mokoroa Falls Track is open.

Goldie Bush Walkway

60 minutes, 4.5 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Goldie Bush Walkway is open.

Houghton Track

60 minutes, 2.1 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Houghton Track is open.

Lake Wainamu Track

75 minutes, 4 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Lake Wainamu Track is open.

Mokoroa Stream Track

60 minutes, 2.3 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Mokoroa Stream Track is open.

Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Map of Te Henga/Bethells, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

PDF download1.22MB

Activities at Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Weddings

You may need a permit to hold a wedding or civil union ceremony at this regional park. See Apply for a permit to have an event or wedding in a regional park for more information, or call 09 301 0101 and ask to speak to a Senior Park Ranger.

Drones

See Flying drones and unmanned aerial vehicles to find rules, guidelines and our code of conduct for flying UAVs and drones.

Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional ParkAlso known as Bethells Beach

Check for open and closed tracks and help protect our kauri

About Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Map of Te Henga/Bethells, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park

Te Henga, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
Also known as Bethells Beach