Exploring Te Henga
Te Henga / Bethells Beach on the west coast of the Waitākere Ranges in Auckland is known for its large sea cave at the south end of the beach, below Raeakiaki Point. However, there are other sea cave formations along the coast, accessible from Te Henga, in Waitākare Bay and O’Neill Bay. Take time out to discover and explore these interesting natural formations.
Geology of the Auckland West Coast
The coastline of the Waitākere Ranges is characterised by rock formations composed primarily of volcanic rock, formed by ancient eruptions from the Waitākere Volcano around 15–25 million years ago. Over time, tectonic uplift raised the volcanic seafloor, and relentless erosion by wind, rain, and the pounding Tasman Sea sculpted the landscape into towering cliffs, sea stacks, and caves. The sea caves in particular have formed where softer layers of rock are eroded more quickly than the harder basalt and andesite, allowing the ocean to carve deep into the cliff faces.
These sea caves, tunnels and arches carved by the ocean provide intriguing spaces to explore.
Discovery and Exploration
Te Henga Cave
From the main access to Te Henga / Bethells Beach, walk south along the beach to Raeakiakai Point to discover the well-known and largest of the caves around the area. This cave is still being carved out by the sea, with waves driving into the cave entrance at high tide. At low tide, access is easy and safe.
Waitākere Bay Natural Tunnels
Walking north across the Waitakere River as it flows over the beach takes you past Ihumoana Island and into narrow Waitākere Bay, with Kotau Pointto your front. This point separates the small bay from O’Neill Bay.
Approach the cliff to the west of the sand dune as the tide retreats, and you can discover a lesser-known natural tunnel entrance. This is an intriguing formation, with 4 separate entrances. Access is safe at low tide, but be aware that one of the entrances remains exposed to wave action and may have a deep pool. However, you can walk through from the bay to the other two entrances. One takes you onto the hillside, from where you can scramble onto teh top of the point. The other takes you to a small cove and a rock platform.
O’Neill Bay Cave
From there, walk over the dune to O’Neill Bay, then head south down the beach. There is a large, prominent rocky formation on the beach back from the tide line. This formation has a medium-sized cave with a large entrance and a narrow, but negotiable exit at its far end. Unlike the other caves, it is dry, with the buildup of sand on the beach long separating it from wave action.
How to Get There
To reach Te Henga, take the western motorway from Downtown Auckland to the Lincoln Road off-ramp. Turn south onto Lincoln Road, then continue to the turnoff west onto Universal Drive. Follow this road, which becomes Swanson Road, then Scenic Drive. After 2.5km, you will see the turnoff onto Te Henga Road; follow this, then Bethells Road to the beach car park. The drive takes 41 minutes and is 36 km.
Other places to visit on the way to Te Henga include Cascade Kauri, with options for short walks or a 4-hour ancient kauri loop walk, and Lake Wainamu.
