Recommendations for a quiet beach within 3 hours ride of North Shore

**Phreak** · 3rd November 2010, 22:31

Maraetai Beach! Nice open beachfront, out in the countryside, not that far for you to go. Just search it in Google Maps (or look up Maraetai Coast Road). It's just north of Clevedon, out from Papakura...

In any case, hope the family is doing okay mate. Never a good time when someone close passes away. My condolences to you and your loved ones.

**Scouse** · 3rd November 2010, 23:54

Originally Posted by p.dath

I have the ominous task of helping my partner scatter the ashes of her grandmother this coming weekend. She would like to do it on a quiet beach this weekend (as in, a beach not likely to have other people on it).

Does anyone have any recommendations for a quiet beach (deserted preferably), that is reachable by road, within about 3 hours ride of the North Shore of Auckland?

If you could let me know the name of the road it is accessible by that would be great, so I can find it on Google maps.

Mission Bay

**p.dath** · 4th November 2010, 08:13

Thanks for your all great tips. I'll be sitting down with Google Maps for a while now with my partner to pick a spot.

**Patrick** · 4th November 2010, 10:09

Whananaki and somewhere on Tawharanui, in that order, would be my choices too....

Whananaki might be more than 3 hrs, but only just...

Tawharanui is out the back of Warkworth.... if you didn't know...

**Mully** · 4th November 2010, 11:07

Don't forget to ask local Iwi for permission.

**scissorhands** · 4th November 2010, 11:26

Originally Posted by Mully

Don't forget to ask local Iwi for permission.

Some places were the sites of massacres......the watchman in Karekare was used to march the local tribe Kawarau off the edge.... to their death.....the carpark area was where they were eaten..... by Ngapuhi

Whites Beach is a 25 min walk from Piha north end car park. Usually no one there

**Crisis management** · 5th November 2010, 09:32

Be carefull about disposal as some Maori may take offence.

http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/fms/ma...%20article.pdf

Having said that, I have been involved with disposing of ashes in the Gulf (off a boat) and althought it was a well publicised event no-one complained.

Tawharunui is a lovely spot with plenty of isolated bays / beaches but it is DOC and you may find that asking permission first is required.

Pakiri would be my choice, isolated with tons of space and only an hour or so north.

Enjoy the ceremony, it is a very special moment.

**Juzz976** · 5th November 2010, 09:37

May find somewhere around St Heliers cliffs that may be quiet.
Sat be quiter than sunday this weekend too as weather is a bit gloomy

**Spazman727** · 5th November 2010, 09:52

there is a beach out west which is really nice and quiet. Accessible via a gravel road (but if I remember correctly its well maintained and rarely used) there is a bit of a walk down to the beach but this makes it more likely that it will be deserted. I can't remember the name of it right now (I know that's not much use, but I will ask my girlfriend when she has her break at work).
I'm sorry for your loss and hope that you find a good location.

**Bald Eagle** · 5th November 2010, 09:55

I think you're talking about Karekare Beach it is a lovely spot.

Google maps info

**Spazman727** · 5th November 2010, 10:34

Originally Posted by Bald Eagle

I think you're talking about Karekare Beach it is a lovely spot.

Google maps info

Yeah mate, that's the one. I'm terrible with the names of places. My memory isn't what it once was, also, my memory isn't what it once was.

**spacemonkey** · 5th November 2010, 10:45

Yeah Karekare's a wonderful spot I used to do surf rescue there for many years (still on the patrol list as a reserve lol)

If you go there when you get to the water turn left and go around the point past the island and walk as far as you like, beach keeps going until Whatipu/Manukau harbour heads...... far less people than Karekare.

**Bald Eagle** · 5th November 2010, 10:56

Originally Posted by spacemonkey

Yeah Karekare's a wonderful spot I used to do surf rescue there for many years (still on the patrol list as a reserve lol)

If you go there when you get to the water turn left and go around the point past the island and walk as far as you like, beach keeps going until Whatipu/Manukau harbour heads...... far less people than Karekare.

Geez it's a small world isn't it. Used to go fishing there back in the days when I was a westie.

**scissorhands** · 5th November 2010, 11:42

Originally Posted by Spazman727

there is a beach out west which is really nice and quiet. Accessible via a gravel road (but if I remember correctly its well maintained and rarely used) there is a bit of a walk down to the beach but this makes it more likely that it will be deserted. I can't remember the name of it right now (I know that's not much use, but I will ask my girlfriend when she has her break at work).
I'm sorry for your loss and hope that you find a good location.

I think its Anawhata Beach your on about.

Personally I wouldnt choose the Auckland West Coast, has much bad luck and difficult relationships amongst the locals. Maori dont spend much time there....

**Spazman727** · 5th November 2010, 13:47

Originally Posted by scissorhands

I think its Anawhata Beach your on about.

Personally I wouldnt choose the Auckland West Coast, has much bad luck and difficult relationships amongst the locals. Maori dont spend much time there....

Oh man, that sounds familiar too. Now I'm not sure which it is.