The stunning Anawhata Beach is situated in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park (Te Wao Nui a Tiriwa, The Great Forest of Tiriwa), Auckland. The Waitakere’s are15.5 miles(25km) from North to South.  Anawhata Beach has a spectacular beach that can just be accessed by foot, making Anawhata Beach far fewer populated than the other more famous beaches in the Waitakere’s.

Keddle House, build in the 1930’s is located along the beach track to Anawhata Beach.  The placed gardens were grown on the sudden cliffs and garden flees by the original possessors where many of these plants can still be found there nowadays. The sand is coarse at Anawhata Beach, and the bizarre rock formations an intriguing sight for visitors. Just inland from the beach visitors can enjoy swimming in the nearby river, or cross the river and you will find yourself in Parera Bay, with its distinctive sand dune, in the shape of an ideal half circle, and a popular surfer’s spot.

Local iwi (tribe) Te Kawerau a Maki occupied this area for hundreds of years, and lots of settlements and fortifications were established. By 1870 Europeans had established farms and timber mills. A 14km tramway was built between Anawhata and Whatipu to move Kauri logs.