If you’re looking for peace and quiet to recharge your flagging energy or a quiet retreat, you’ve found it. We are a haven of waterfront serenity.
If you want to:
Recover from jet lag (you’re only 45 minutes from the airport)
Rest in a peaceful setting before boarding an international flight
Relax in quiet accommodation while working or visiting in the region
Escape from the noisy city (only 56 km away, but it feels like hundreds!)
Romance your loved one with a special treat
Find a tranquil place while attending a family function – weddings, birthdays and more
Accommodate your visitor overflow if you’re a Clarks Beach resident
Explore the Franklin area
Play at the top-rated Clarks Beach golf course
Go paragliding off the Kariotahi cliffs. (Check the photo of Thomas and; Lisa repacking their tandem paragliding gear after a magical flight of 50 km along the coastline.)
Enjoy more space and a beautiful location instead of a noisy town motel
Find peace to write, read, or just recharge
.... Robyn's Waterfront Retreat is for you.
About the Local Area
In the Clarks Beach Waiau Pa community you’re never far from water.
Walk, stroll, picnic, play, or fish in our local Clarks Beach district. Bring your water toys—there are multiple launching points. No boat? Join the locals at the nearby jetty on Wharf Rd, a few minutes’ walk away.
Our Clarks Beach & Waiau Pa district is a friendly and vibrant semi-rural community. Enjoy the country vibe, yet you’re in easy driving distance of Auckland with its city sophistication. Learn more about us at https://www.clarksbeachwaiaupa.co.nz/
Golf: Clarks Beach Golf Course, voted one of the Top 10 Country Golf Courses, is 4 minutes’ drive away. Visiting players and social visitors most welcome. They have frequent special events and the cafe serves excellent meals. https://www.clarksbeachgolfclub.co.nz/
Bringing the kids? They’ll love our stunning new playground on Stevenson Rd, with not only a great selection of swings and slides for younger children, but also a top-level skatepark and a 3/4- size basketball court. Under the shade you’ll find BBQs for general use.
Paintball: check out Asylum Paintball at 833 Kingseat Road, 6 minutes away. http://asylumpaintball.co.nz/ On the same site, for those who like spine-chilling terror, is Spookers live horror entertainment.
Across the water you see the Awhitu Peninsula. It's a little-known region and well worth exploring. https://www.loveyourlocation.co.nz/about/awhitu-peninsula Āwhitu Regional Park is only 45 minutes’ drive away, while numerous white sandy beaches wait for discovery about 15 minutes further, tucked away at the end of the Peninsula. While you’re exploring, be sure to check out the Pollok Artists Co-op at 2141 Awhitu Road, Pollok. I’ve never yet walked away from there empty-handed!
At the northern tip is the Manukau Heads lighthouse, with displays telling the story of the wreck of the Orpheus in 1863, New Zealand's worst maritime disaster. [Temporarily closed due to road access problems.]
Quaint Waiuku township has a good range of services. It’s home to the Kentish Hotel, which has the longest continuous liquor license in New Zealand. The Waiuku Museum is also worth a visit. https://waiukumuseum.wordpress.com/opening-hours/
Kariotahi Beach, a few minutes’ west of Waiuku, is a popular black sand surf beach. You’ll usually see surfers taking on the wild surf, often see para gliders launching off the high cliffs, and sometimes land yachts (often called blow karts) are speeding down the beach. Do not drive on the beach unless you have a permit. https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/licences-
Up the hill from Kariotahi Beach is Castaways Restaurant and Bersanti Day Spa, which provides luxury pampering. https://www.castaways.co.nz/
If you time it right, you might be able to take a cruise on the historic M.V. RATAHI, a classic vessel that takes charter groups out to discover the delights of the little-known Manukau Harbour. https://manukaucharters.co.nz/ or ring them on 0210 298 7855.
15 minutes from home, the Glenbrook Vintage Rail is a popular weekend activity for all ages. https://www.gvr.org.nz/
On the other side of the Southern Motorway you've got the Hunua Ranges for great hiking and cycling. Recently opened is the Hunua Traverse, https://www.alltrails.com It's a 44.5-km two-way ride with a total elevation gain of 1,100m. https://www.hunuatraverse.co.nz/
While you’re over that way, check out the picturesque and historic Clevedon Village, with their crowd-pulling Sunday Market https://www.clevedon.co.nz/ . From there it’s a short drive to the East Coast.
Pukekohe and Papakura, larger towns with many services and supermarkets, are only 25 minutes away.
Auckland Botanic Gardens https://www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/ is an outstanding free public resource and boasts an excellent café. About 35 minutes’ drive from here.
Trains: If you want to go into the city without traffic and parking hassles, take the train. Check the Southern Line timetables at https://at.govt.nz/ —it runs regularly. Board at Pukekohe, Paerata (soon) or Papakura.
Auckland: Outside of peak traffic, we’re about an hour away. I'm guessing, if you’re still reading this website, the idea of significant time in the rush and bustle of the Big Smoke is probably not high on your agenda! However, a day out can be a nice variation if you're with me for a few days.
If you do travel into Auckland, getting on the water is almost mandatory! Auckland is famously known as the City of Sails. Ferries run constantly to Waitemata harbour-side destinations as well as a number of islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Particularly popular for a day trip is Waiheke Island with its many cafes, vineyards and restaurants. https://at.govt.nz/bus- train-ferry/ferry-services/
Dining:
Clarks Beach & Waiau Pa
Clarks Beach Takeaways, Seaway Road
Chinwags - a la carte European and Indian, Seaway Road
Vintage Cafe, Waiau Pa Village
Clarks Beach Golf Course, cafe and bar, Stevenson Road
The Pop-Up cafe next to the Fire Brigade, Waiau Pa Village. 5am - 8pm. Serves simple meals as well as coffee.
Patamahoe (10 minutes away)
Mr Henry for relaxed dining and bar https://www.mrhenry.nz/gallery Open Wed-Sunday.
Village Bar and Kitchen, https://www.thevillagebar.co.nz/ Open 11am-late every day.
Butcher's Shop Cafe https://www.thebutchersshopcafe.co.nz/
As well as the options above, we’re well-served with a big range of eateries at Karaka, Papakura, Takanini, Pukekohe and Waiuku —all within 25-30 minutes.
Get in touch
Clarks Beach, Auckland