Last updated November 2026
You can’t drive into Te Muri Regional Park. This Auckland Council park sits at the entrance to Mahurangi Harbour, between Mahurangi West Regional Park across Te Muri Stream to the north and Wenderholm Regional Park across the Puhoi River to the south, and you reach it on foot or by boat.
Walkers come in from Mahurangi West on the Cudlip Point Loop Track and a farm track, then wade Te Muri Estuary, which the council says to cross only within two hours either side of low tide.
Beyond it lie coastal forest fragments, farmland and Te Muri Beach, with a tent-only campground and a bookable cottage looking up the Puhoi Estuary. The park was created after the Auckland Regional Council bought the Schischka family farm in 2010.
Practical Information
- Address
- 192 Ngarewa Drive, Mahurangi West (access through Mahurangi West Regional Park)
- Distance from the city
- About 37 km north of central Auckland in a straight line
- Managed by
- Auckland Council
- Opening hours
- Main gates 6am to 9pm during daylight saving, 6am to 7pm otherwise
- Walking times
- About 1.6 km, 15 to 25 min, from Sullivans Bay car park to the campground; about 2 km, 20 to 30 min, from the estuary to Puhoi Cottage
- Tides
- Cross Te Muri Estuary only within two hours either side of low tide
- Dogs
- Not allowed at the campground or Puhoi Cottage; elsewhere follow the dog rules on the council’s park page
- Facilities
- Te Muri Beach campground (tents only, toilets, treated bore water, no power); Puhoi Cottage (bookable bach for up to 6)
- Status
- Auckland Council: Te Muri Regional Park page
About Te Muri Regional Park
The council sums the park up as coastal forest fragments, coastline and farmland. It fills the stretch of coast between two other regional parks, Mahurangi West and Wenderholm.
The beach came first. In a 2010 statement announcing the farm purchase, the Auckland Regional Council said it had bought the Te Muri beachfront, a 1 km sandy beach, from the Schischka family in 1973, at a time when it could only be reached by walking through the estuary at low tide.
The family had farmed in the district since 1885. In September 2010 the regional council bought 407 hectares from the estate of Peter Schischka, its largest park purchase since Tāwharanui in 1973, and named the new park Te Muri. It described old landmark pūriri trees and views of the estuary and Wenderholm.
The forest here is part of the council’s Wenderholm and Te Muri Coastal Forest biodiversity focus area. Pōhutukawa dominate the forest along the Puhoi River side of Te Muri, and canopy trees across the area include taraire, pūriri, nīkau, kānuka, karaka, kōwhai and wharangi.
Kererū, kākā, tūī, riroriro and pīwakawaka live in the forest, kororā (little penguins) may nest along the coast, and banded kōkopu swim in the streams. The council runs animal pest control at Te Muri.
Getting There on Foot or by Boat
The council’s park page sends walkers to the top car park at Mahurangi West, onto the Cudlip Point Loop Track with its red markers, and then south down a farm track to Te Muri Estuary. Its campground and cottage pages start the same walk at Sullivans Bay car park.
Time the walk around the tide: the estuary should only be crossed within two hours either side of low tide.
Past the estuary, the council describes two ways on to the Puhoi River end of the park: overland via Te Muri Beach and the Purple Track, or along the coast around Te Muri Point. Both are about 2 km, or 20 to 30 minutes, and the coastal route also needs the low-tide window. The other way in is by boat.
Camping and Puhoi Cottage
Te Muri Beach campground
The campground is a grassed site on the Te Muri Track next to Te Muri Beach, just south of the estuary. It is for tents only, with no vehicle access, and takes up to 80 people, with a smaller limit in winter.
The council lists drinking water from a treated bore with taps around the site, two waterless toilet blocks and no power. Camping on the foreshore is not allowed, fires are banned and dogs are not permitted. Sites are booked through Auckland Council.
Puhoi Cottage
Puhoi Cottage is a three-bedroom bach with an open-plan kitchen and living area, a covered deck overlooking the Puhoi Estuary. It sleeps up to six. There is no mains power: solar batteries run the fridge, the gas cooker ignition and a few dim lights, and there is no heating, so the council asks guests to bring warm bedding, linen, towels and a torch.
Water comes from a treated bore. Dogs and fires are not allowed, and there are no bins, so take all rubbish out with you.
Where to Learn More
Auckland Council: Te Muri Regional Park: walking and boat access, tide advice, dog and park rules.
Auckland Council: Puhoi Cottage: the bach at Te Muri, how to walk in, what to bring, fees and bookings.
Auckland Council (Tiaki Tāmaki Makaurau): Wenderholm and Te Muri Coastal Forest: the forest types, birds and pest control in the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Te Muri Regional Park?
On foot from Mahurangi West Regional Park, following the Cudlip Point Loop Track and a farm track to Te Muri Estuary, or by boat. There is no vehicle access.
When can I cross Te Muri Estuary?
Only within two hours either side of low tide, according to the council. Check tide times before you set out.
Can I camp at Te Muri?
Yes, at the Te Muri Beach campground, which is tent only and booked through Auckland Council. Camping on the foreshore is not allowed.
Are dogs allowed?
Not at the campground or Puhoi Cottage. For the rest of the park, check the dog rules on the council’s park page.
What are the gate hours?
The main gates are open from 6am to 9pm during daylight saving and 6am to 7pm the rest of the year.
What is Puhoi Cottage?
A three-bedroom council bach in the park that sleeps up to six, with solar power, bore water and views up the Puhoi Estuary.
When did Te Muri become a regional park?
The Auckland Regional Council bought the Schischka family farm in 2010 and named the new park Te Muri. It had owned Te Muri Beach since 1973.
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