Pakiri’s Pristine Proffer

Autumn may technically begin tomorrow, but based on Auckland weather, summer has yet to actually go away. So before it starts to rain and chill, one beach natives and tourists should make time to head out to is the one in Pakiri.

Unspoiled, Pakiri is the Auckland Regional Council‘s 25th regional park that has yet to undergo development.

It’s a fabulous 52-hectare piece of coastal land with sprawling white sand beach and stands of mature pohutukawa trees along the dunes. About 90 kilometres away from Auckland CBD, the drive would take around an hour and half.

Although the ARC still has years to build a full range of park facilities, Pakiri Beach can be freely accessed and enjoyed for a picnic or swim. The waves can be a bit rough, but there are lifeguards from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

For picnics, visitors put up their own gazebos, picnic tables, chairs, and mats. No BBQ grills available, so people usually bring their own portable gas ranges or grills; or cooked food ready for eating and sharing.

Beside the ARC property is the Holiday Beach Pakiri Park, a privately owned camping ground located at 261 Pakiri River Road, Wellsford. The park  offers tent sites as low as $15 per person to cabins at $80-100 a night to cottages and lodges up to $300 per night; along with BBQ and kitchen facilities, store, playground, TV room, games room, and showers.  For booking or enquiries, call Colin or Teresa Foster at 422 6199 or email // <![CDATA[// pakiri@khh.co.nz.

Photo credit: My friend, Cherry Thelmo-Fernandez, who took this photo of her kids, nieces, and nephews frolicking at Pakiri Beach