Whatipu

Whatipu is a mostly deserted beach on the coast to the west of Auckland, New Zealand.

The road to the beach is unpaved and the path to the beach from the end of the street badly signposted. Whatipu has no lifeguards, and as to all the beaches in the West Auckland swimming environment by currents.

About 20 minutes from the car park on the beautiful caves, but which can not be reached via the beach.

Before the colonization of New Zealand by Europeans, the caves were used as a traveler shelter. Beginning of the 20th century was used as a dance hall, the largest of the caves, but since sand was washed into the cave by now and 5 m high filled with sand.

In the south of Whatipu is the port of Manukau, in the north Karekare.

1863 HMS Orpheus ran aground shortly after they passed the entrance to the Manukau Harbour. Here, 189 people died.

1867 a sawmill was built to zufördern the Kaurihandel. There was in 1870 a tram that leads 3 km north to a second sawmill. The tram was then extended to Piha and Anawhata. In 1886, the plants were closed, when trade stopped with Kauri due to lack of wood. Since the 40s of the 20th century, the beach was continuously changed by the constant movement of the sand. Since then, over 4 km ² of land were recovered by washed up on the beach sand.