- Walk the 3 km Omana Regional Park perimeter loop, then follow the coastal path from Omana Beach to Maraetai Beach and back for a 5 km round trip.
- Mostly level gravel and sealed paths, with a few short steep bits on the Omana loop, sturdy footwear recommended.
- Farmland, bush, coastline and boats, plus views back across the Hauraki Gulf to Auckland City.
- Dogs are allowed on the Omana perimeter walk only, not elsewhere in the park, with extra restrictions from 1 July to 30 November.
- Suitable for most ages and fitness levels, the shared Beachlands to Maraetai path is good for family cycling too.
Part of the Beachlands walks collection.
| Distance | 5 km round trip (Omana perimeter loop is 3 km on its own) |
| Time | Allow around 1.5 hours at an easy pace, longer if you stop at the beaches |
| Difficulty | Medium, suitable for most ages and fitness levels |
| Track surface | Gravel and sealed paths, mostly level with a few short steep sections |
| Start/Finish | Either end works, Omana Beach Road car park or Maraetai Beach |
| Dogs | Allowed on the Omana perimeter walk only, extra lambing season rules apply 1 July to 30 November, check Auckland Council’s current dog rules |
| Cost | Free |
| Toilets | Check the current park rules for facility locations and hours |
Getting there
You can start this walk from either end. Park at the Omana Regional Park entrance off Omana Beach Road, Maraetai, or start from Maraetai Beach itself at the southern end of the Beachlands to Maraetai walkway and cycleway. Both give you easy access to the loop and the coastal path.
The walk
The Omana perimeter loop is the shorter, quieter part of this walk. It circles the regional park through farmland and bush, and it is honestly a bit uninteresting on its own, apart from the view looking back to Auckland City from the high points. Where this walk earns its keep is the stretch along the coastline from Omana Beach to Maraetai Beach. That section is much more interesting, with the path tracking close to the water most of the way.
The shared pathway and cycleway between Maraetai and Beachlands is sealed and scenic, and it is well used by families on bikes as well as walkers. If you do both, the Omana loop plus the Maraetai return, you are looking at about 5 km all up.
What you’ll see
Expect a genuine mix on this one, farmland, bush, coast, boats and village. Omana Beach itself has clear blue water and grassy shore shaded by pohutukawa trees, a popular spot for swimming and picnicking. Along the coastal path you get boats moored offshore, and on a clear day the view back across the water to Auckland City is worth the walk on its own.
Who it’s for
This is an easy family walk, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind for the coastal section, though sturdy footwear is a good idea for the Omana loop itself. It suits most ages and fitness and mobility levels. The shared cycleway makes it a good option for family bike rides too, not just walking.
When to go
Any time of year works, but a high tide day makes Omana Beach look its best, the water sits right up to the grassy shore under the pohutukawa. If you are walking with a dog, avoid the lambing season restrictions between 1 July and 30 November, or plan to stick to the perimeter walk only during that period.
Important stuff
- Dogs are prohibited in Omana Regional Park except on the perimeter walk. From 1 July to 30 November, additional lambing season restrictions apply to the park entrance area, the Beachlands-Maraetai walkway and cycleway, and the perimeter walk and foreshore.
- Track conditions can change, check the current track status with Auckland Council before you go, particularly for the Perimeter Walk and the Omana Farm Walk.
- Sturdy footwear is recommended for the Omana loop, the coastal path to Maraetai is easier going in normal shoes.
- Swimming conditions depend on the tide, a high or king tide brings the water right up to the beach at Omana.
Common questions
Can I take my dog on the Maraetai and Omana Loop Walk?
Dogs are only allowed on the Omana perimeter walk, not in the rest of the regional park. From 1 July to 30 November extra lambing season restrictions apply across the park entrance area, the Beachlands-Maraetai walkway and cycleway, and the perimeter walk and foreshore. Check Auckland Council’s current dog rules before you head out.
Where do I start the walk?
Start from either end, the Omana Regional Park entrance off Omana Beach Road, or Maraetai Beach at the southern end of the Beachlands-Maraetai walkway.
How long is the walk?
The Omana perimeter loop on its own is 3 km. Add the coastal walk to Maraetai Beach and back and you are looking at about 5 km in total.
Is Omana Beach good for swimming?
Yes, it has clear blue water and a grassy shore shaded by pohutukawa trees, best at high tide.
Is the walk suitable for cycling?
The shared pathway between Maraetai and Beachlands is sealed and suits family cycling, though the Omana perimeter loop itself is a walking track.
My honest take
This was our first time doing the full loop around Omana Regional Park. The perimeter walk itself was pretty uninteresting apart from the view looking back to Auckland City, but the walk along the coastline from Omana Beach to Maraetai Beach was much more interesting. The weather was brilliant the day we went, and it was fabulous to see so many people out enjoying themselves in and on the beautiful blue clear water, as well as picnicking on the grassy shore in the shade of the pohutukawa trees. The tide was high, actually a king tide, which added to the beauty of it. Combined, Maraetai and Omana lived up to our expectations of a genuinely diverse walk, farmland, bush, coast, boats and village all in one outing.
