Beautiful coastal paths and walkways stretch from Maraetai to Beachlands. With a couple of hours to spare you can walk the entire trail from Sunkist Bay or Shelly Bay in Beachlands through to Maraetai Beach; alternatively take it in smaller bites via the various access points. More info on the path is available on the Auckland Council Parks and Recreation website.

A good starting point is near the Maraetai Beach Boat Club, with ample parking available. The start of the track isn’t well sign-posted but if you venture past the Boat Club, you’ll discover a pathway leading around the cliff. There’s a small, almost-hidden, sandy beach at low tide, shade and pōhutukawa trees, photographic opportunities in every direction, rock pools, fishing spots, picnic spots, children’s playground, shelly beaches and beautiful homes perched on the hillside. The beaches of Te Pene and Maraetai are safe for swimming and cooling off on hot summer’s days and evenings.

The track continues through to the Ōmana Regional Park and Te Puru Park with farmland, a campground, picnic areas, barbecues, parking, views to Waiheke Island and Rangitoto Island. A beautiful bush walk - the Perimeter Walk - is an alternative short track through a remnant of coastal native forest.

Experience a Maori pā site with its defensive trenches and prime position overlooking cliffs.

A beautiful coastal path follows the shoreline from Sunkist Bay in Beachlands and veers uphill through trees and bushes (a secret path) to civilisation at Cherrie Road.