The carpark to the lake is quite small but you can park closer to Bethells beach as there are more spaces there. To get to the lake you need to go through the gain dunes first. We opted to climb the dunes at the start so that we could walk around it at the end of the walk. After walking up the dunes, just keep walking in that general direction and you should eventually arrive at the lake. The lake is quite large and does look quite nice. There were quite a few people swimming in it but be wary that the shore of the lake drops quite suddenly. There isn't much cover on the lake so it would be wise to bring some sort of shade to protect you from the sun if you're planning to stay long. After arriving at the lake we went to the trail that goes around the lake. It was quite scenic with nice views of the lake as well as the dunes. There is a larger area on the other side of the lake which heads to the waterfalls. The falls are multilayered and you are able to hop into the pools to cool down a bit. You can either back track or keep going along the lake and you eventually reach the pier for the lake. Instead of heading back up we just went around the dunes, back to the carpark. It was about a 2 hour walk to get around the lake. It seemed that most people just stopped at the lake shore and stayed around there. It was an enjoyable walk and it was fairly easy, the hardest part being walking up the giant dunes.

this lake will take about 15-20 mins if you have kids with you, going through the sand dunes.. We came here around 4pm and it rained that all our stuff got wet 😂 but my son had so much fun.. the downside is that there is no showers available..

So worth the drive and I understand why it is such a popular spot! I arrived at 7am and small parking area was already full. I parked 900m away at Bethells Beach and walked. You start by walking through a stream to the sanddunes, which are spectacular. I spend a lot of time there. The loop walk is easy and halfway you have a waterfall, definitely take a dip there. Had a swim in the lake at the end as well. Although parking was busy, I hardly saw loads of people. Great walk and swimming spot.

Absolutely wonderful little microcosm of what New Zealand has to offer: stream to walk in, lake, waterfall, sand dunes and bird life. We had a thoroughly enjoyable walk on the lovely track around Lake Wainamu.

The lake has been my favourite place since i was young.. sledding down the dunes on some cardboard, walking up the river, jumping into the lake.

Beautiful warm water 🏞and the track via the stream is absolutely pleasantly. Extremely big DUNES. Many relaxing places under the trees 🌳 Waterfall and pool 💧

Beautiful place to swim and smoke some cones.. Great walk just annoying when people leave there rubbish.

A great place to enjoy an evening with friends. Nice place for drinks and have a calm swim. You can either walk through the stream or walk through the sand dunes. Sand dunes are great for sand surfing.

From the carpark to the lake, it takes about 30 minutes not because of the length but of the difficulty of walking there. The sand hills are great! How much enjoyable we walk on the soft sand and climb and run. The combination of sand and lake is so fantastic. We have never seen this kind of view before. Some kids play sand skiing there too.

Beautiful just watch out for the sandflies, they bite.

Tracking for about 40 minutes but faster way over the dunes, perfect place to spent all day.allow to swimming everywhere and the water is not much cold

Walk from the carpark on the windy little path or in the little river all the way up to where the black aand dunes greet you. follow the river around the sand dunes u till you find the beginning of the lake. ot take a more challenging route up the sandunes for a beautiful view from above. Take a boagieboard and go down the sanddune landing right in the lake . great for families. Loved it so much

Amazing landscapes in one. Giant desert like black sand dunes, big fresh water lake surrounded lush bushes and hills all around makes a great place to relax and chill. Walking back on the warm river stream is so relaxing :)

Not a lot of directions on the path ... either follow the stream (will have to take your shoes off) or climb the dunes (keep to your right). It’s very peaceful and the lake was not breathtaking, just average.

Great out of the way spot to visit. Lake was very cold so will try again in summer!

Great place

Very special place but hard to find car park

Such a pretty outing for the day

Dont steal this spot from me. Its my fave summer spot. Find your own. Please

If you're doing the walk. Follow the stream! It takes you to the other side of the sand dunes by the lake where the proper bush trail starts. Come early as the parking is very limited. Overall the trail is a nice, varied 2-3 hour easy walk. Cut across the sand dunes at the end of the bush walk section to avoid having to backtrack.

Beautiful and so close to the city, worth a visit

The place was quite hard to find car park, but very nice place to go and friendly for children and family on holidays! Very nice to walk and good for exercises.

Beautiful walk, lakes and native bush! Just a bit of a clumsy walk if you carry things for the day.

What a beautiful spot so close to Auckland

Paradise 😍

Such an awesome walk

Great place to swim and walk around the lake.

30 mins walk to Lake depending. Great views Hot sand dunes Hard to find parking depending on capacity.

Surreal landscape of giant sand dunes flowing towards a black fresh water lake make this a must stop for a short one hour walk (there and back) if you're out this way near Te Henga beach..... 👍🏖️

Beautiful dunes before the lake. The path gets a bit tricky and slippery half way through the loop around the lake. Flat sneakers won't help. Need to step into the water at some points (depending on the steam level throughout the year). The car park had very limited places. Had to go further to reach the beach car park and walk back about 10 minutes to get to the track entrance.

Pretty fun spot but bloody hard to get gear into

Pleasant easy walk 2hrs around the lake. Can walk in a shallow stream which is nice. Massive sand dunes for sand boarding. Nice little waterfall and swimming hole halfway around the lake. Good spot for lunch.

Great spot for a walk all year round and a swim in the summer. The kids will love playing on the sand dunes and in the stream

good

Beautiful lake with a great walk around it.

Solid beauty of a landscape! Walking over the dunes and boarding of the edge is only the tip, the real beauty is discovering the waterfalls past the lake and taking it all in!

About 1 hour tramping track. Some places are slashy. There are beautiful waterfalls in the middle of the route. Not so hilly, suitable for children. Going through the Giant Dune. An enjoyable experience.

An amazing place!

Walking in the stream is really relaxing

Best hike yet, sand dunes, lake, streams and waterfalls. Beautiful green scenery, peaceful.

Beautiful place to visit with a beautiful small walk around it. you can walk though water or from side ways experience sand dunes near beathells beach.

Gorgeous I am a local and still love going there myself and also taking international friends to this spot

So peaceful and great walk and sand

So peaceful

Nice long walk. I loved the lake and the sand dunes. However, the waterfall was a small tiny dribble only two metres high and very underwhelming. No shade by the the lake so bring a hat, sunblock and a pop-up beach shelter. There is only one disgusting toilet out there and I would advise that you do not use it unless absolutely necessary.

Has become super crowded over the summer. Parking is very limited and hard to find on a busy day. I've seen people get towed for parking on the yellow lines. Also a lot of car thieves operating between the lake car park and the beach car park. Don't leave any valuables in your car! Saw a used nappy left on the track today. Please take your rubbish home with you!

One of the best place in Auckland for hiking. We enjoyed here with my family.

Nice little walk around the lake and sand dunes.

brilliant

It will take 30 minutes to get to the lake from the car park. You can walk along the stream or go over the dunes to get there.

One of the best places to hike around the area. Go for a swim and run down the dunes. Really kid friendly and a nice spot. Really enjoyed it.

This is an awesome place to go!! When I went it was crowded but still plenty of swimming room for everyone. The lake goes deep fast so be careful with kids. It's a nice walk to the lake but the Sand is pretty hot so we walked though the stream. Definently going to visit this beautiful place again. Make sure you wear sandles if you go

(Translated by Google) I have been to Bethells Beach before, but I have ignored the signs on the roadside. I didn’t expect to walk more than 20 minutes after the stream dune landscape trail Hiding such a freshwater lake with a perfect summer Will come with family and friends in the future. (Original) 之前虽然来过Bethells Beach，却忽略了路边的指示牌 没想到步行二十多分钟的溪流沙丘景观步道后 藏着这么一块和夏日绝配的淡水湖 以后还会和家人朋友来的

Awesome place

Easy to find on maps

Must visit if you are visiting Bethells beach

Fantastic quiet spot only an hour outside of the city. The sand dunes can both as scenery or to ride down, the trail around the lake is beautiful and the waterfall you go past along the way is a must visit. The lake itself is stunning and great for swimming. There are also a number of trees and wharfs yhat you can jump into the water from around the lake if you are that way inclined. Possibly my favourite spot on Aucklands west coast. A must visit!

Beautiful scenery

Its a long distance walk but fun and very nice and unusual place with all these sand dunes in the middle of green bushes. Dont take lots of things though cos its very long walk .