Te Henga Walkway

FIRST CLASS VIEWS OF THE TASMAN SEA

08 AUGUST 2022

Bella at O'Neill Bay

Te Henga Walkway section closure: Te Henga Walkway is open but can no longer be walked in its entirety. The section from Tirikohua Point south to Bethells Beach is closed and inaccessible as major sections of the cliffs have collapsed. For more info, click here

A Little Slice of Paradise

The Te Henga Walkway is a little slice of paradise in the Waitakere Ranges between Bethells Beach and Muriwai Beach and it's part of the Hillary Trail. The hills are covered in lush green bush and in some parts it felt like we were in Hawaii! The views from Raetahinga Point are breath taking and well worth any burning thighs getting up there!

We did the walk in autumn and it was the perfect temperature - not blistering hot and not freezing cold. It was also pretty dry so we didn't have to worry about slipping all over the place as there are some parts that are clay and we could imagine how much fun that would be in winter, slipping and sliding all over the place!

The track was an easy to moderate track. It wasn't that hard but there were a few parts that were steep and a thigh burner but they only lasted for a few meters.

We ended up doing over the 7.9kms to Raetahinga Point and back, because we took a wrong turn but we didn't mind because the views were just incredible!! The track was closed past the point, so you couldn't get to Muriwai but that suited us just fine as it would have been a huge walk otherwise.

The girls did incredible on this walk and didn't even want to be carried at the end when we offered. We thought they would want it after the 3.5 hours we had done but they were happy to keep going. I think the promise of an ice cold ice block at the end of the walk was keeping them going!

Bells checking out the sign at the start of the track

The bridge to get to the track

Bella looking at the view 5 minutes into the hike

A Very Diverse Hike

The start of the walk is an uphill climb but is easy and a mostly even path, surrounded by beautiful trees and bushes which creates a nice canopy - perfect in summer. At some point, the trees clear to show a beautiful view over the ocean and this is a great place to take a breather.

The Te Henga Walkway is sooo diverse which was really fun for the kids as they had so much to discover along the way. They weren't too happy about the first part being uphill, it made them think that the whole walk was like this but they were wrong. It was worse because there were some steep parts and sandy parts they had to power through muahahaha. But seriously, they loved it once we got to the first clearing and they were really excited to go to the beach at the end of our hike.

A forest tunnel (reminds us of the one at the Blacksmith's Walkway)

Sienna having fun climbing and exploring

Lath, Bella and Sienna making their way up the first part of the track

Viewpoint Over O'Neill Bay

Once we had hiked up the first part through the bush, we ended up in this amazing area! There was a beautiful view with a bench seat to sit and enjoy the view. If you aren't too keen on going all the way to Raetahinga Point, there are so many view points along the way that feel like an accomplishment.

The view looked over O'Neill Bay and it looks out to Raetahinga Point where we hiked to. You can sit here and watch the wild west coast in all its glory - watch the rough waves coming in, watch surfers, soak up the sun (unless it's raining, then good luck with that) and enjoy the incredible view in front of you. There is enough flat space to enjoy a picnic here too.

View back towards Bethells Beach

Sienna near the look out to O'Neill Bay

View over O'Neill Bay, looking out to Raetahinga Point

Thigh Burners

The next part of the track after the O'Neill Bay lookout becomes a bit more challenging, but only in certain parts. There were some steep sandy parts and some steep clay parts where it looked like over time the clay had washed away and been worn away from boots. There parts didn't last more than a few meters and were thigh burners but we just encouraged the kids and stopped straight after for a wee break.

We got to yet another amazing view to look out over O'Neill Bay. We could see Raetahinga Point getting closer and closer! We stopped here for a break to have some snacks and water. Then the fun began for the kids...

We got to some more undercover bush parts and it was really unique for the kids as there were tree branches low in places that make it look like huts inside which they loved exploring and also looking at the unique trees. They found sticks to play with and were trying to find fairy houses.

A steep sandy track

Beautiful view over O'Neill Bay

A natural 'hut' for the kids to explore

A deep clay track

A Movie Theatre in the Bush?!

One really awesome part of the track was under cover with these crazy trees with long skinny branches and some boulders. This was the girl's favourite part of the track! Bella said that the boulders looked like seats for a movie theatre and they really enjoyed role playing, pretending to be watching a movie. It felt like a magical place in there and we spent a lot of time sitting in there because we could see how much fun the girls were having.

We would have loved to have stayed longer because the kids were having so much fun, but we had to keep going. The next part was through low bush and a narrow path. We passed a few people on this point so we kind of had to step into the bush to let them past as it was so narrow but hey, that's adventuring for you!

Entrance to the girl's favourite part of the track

Lath and the girls 'watching a movie'

Lath and Bella heading up through the bushy path

The Final Ascent

We could see how close we were to Raetahinga Point, once we got out into the open with no trees or bush around. The views were getting absolutely amazing and we were so excited to get to the top!

The final ascent to the point was right up on the cliff with amazing views, surrounded by farmland and orange clay that was breaking away from the land. it was a bit breezy so on a really windy day, it might not be so fun as it's really exposed up there.

They kids were getting a bit tired of climbing uphill by this point but luckily the final point was right in sight. The sun finally came out and we got to look down and see the incredible blue colour of the water.

The final ascent

Raetahinga Point

The view over the way we had come from

We finally made it!

Raetahinga Point

We were so glad to finally make it to our destination. We sat down for a well deserved break and soaked in the view and enjoyed our packed lunch. We were so proud of the girls for making it this far, they are such troopers! We have learnt that kids can do so much more than society has taught them they can and we love seeing this happening.

We didn't do much exploring up here just because it was on a cliff so we didn't want the kids going near the edge so we relaxed for about half an hour, looking over the beautiful blue Tasman Sea. It would have been a great place to whale and dolphin watch but sadly none appeared but that's all good in the hood because the view did not disappoint!

Lath looking down to O'Neill Bay

O'Neill Bay

O'Neill Bay

Heading down to O'Neill Bay

The best thing about the descent is that you get to see the view the whole way down, instead of looking at bush and cliffs. Every turn we took was a view of the same beach yet it was special and different in its own unique way and great to photograph.

We had O'Neill Bay in our sights, It was really nice looking down at the blue water and black sand and were excited to get down there so we could chill for a bit and splash in the water.

The path down to O'Neill Bay isn't part of the track, but it's an easy track to walk down to and back up and continue on the Te Henga Walkway.

Stunning view over O'Neill Bay

Sienna and Lath making their way down (town doo doo doo doo doo dooooo)

THOU SHALL NOT PASS!!

Definitely worth doing this track on a sunny day to enjoy the beautiful blue water

O'Neill Bay

What a beach! You have the rugged Raetahinga Point to the right and a cute little bay and islands to the left.

We wanted to check out the island to the left as we could see that every minute, the water would part and you could make your way across.... but you had to be quick!! I left the kids with Lath and went across myself because I wasn't sure how deep the water would be when it did come back over and whether it would knock them over as it met in the middle. I didn't spent too much time here but checked out the small caves, which was uneventful.

The water by the island was really calm and sheltered and it would have been an epic place to swim! The water was so clear and beautiful, that particular area looked like it belonged in Greece. We didn't end up swimming as it was pretty cold and we knew it was still a wee while to walk back.

Down at O'Neill Bay looking out to Raetahinga Point

A shallow and sheltered place to swim

Across the water on the island

View of Raetahinga Point

We Went The Wrong Way!

When you head down to O'Neill Bay from the Te Henga track, you're apparently meant to head back up that path so you can continue on to the track, buuuuut we made the mistake of walking up the dunes which wasn't part of the track and this took us to Bethells Beach. Soooo we ended up going the completely wrong way!!

Bethells Beach is a gorgeous beach which is full of swimmers and surfers, just like Muriwai which is just around the corner. We walked along the beach and up to the carpark to get a well-deserved ice cream!

The final walk back to the car was long. Once we left the carpark, we had to keep walking....and walking...and walking to our starting point. There was no footpath and loads of traffic so it seemed to take forever! It was also heating up as the clouds were disappearing so when we finally got back to our car, we felt so relieved!

We couldn't stop talking about the hike on the way home and how well the kids did and how epic the view was.

Sienna climbing up the dunes

O'Neill Bay

Bethells Beach

Bethells Beach

Know Before You Go

Make sure you follow the trail!
Take plenty of water and food
Wear good walking shoes
If it has been raining a lot, parts of the track may be slippery
Most of the track isn't sheltered so it can be super hot in summer
The hike return to Raetahinga Point is 7.9km and takes around 3 hours
The hike one way to Muriwai is 10.3km
No dogs allowed
Not suitable for wheelchairs or walking aids
Not suitable for prams
You will need to be able to deal with a few thigh burning parts

Mappy McMap Face

Getting There

Te Henga is about 45 mins west of Auckland CBD and is a beautiful drive through the Waitakere Ranges.

There is a small parking bay as shown on the map or if that's full, you can park at the Lake Wainamu carpark which is a bit further away.

Conclusion

We hiiiiiiighly recommend this track. Even if you are new to hiking, this is still a reasonably easy track to do, despite a few steep parts that don't last too long. The views along the coast are absolutely breath taking and it's all worth it when you reach Raetahinga Point.

It can be a morning or afternoon hike for the family with heaps of adventures to have on the way.