Snells Beach offers two distinct perspectives on a stay: the coast, with its views of Kawau Bay, and the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, with contemporary art in bush and pasture. At the beach, sunrise and low tide are important reference points; on the trail, the focus is on the changing artworks and the distance covered. You can then decide which experiences you want to define your stay.

Outdoor Art on the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail

The Brick Bay Sculpture Trail is a two-kilometre-long path through native bush and open pasture. There are more than 50 contemporary artworks along the route. The trail is an ever-changing outdoor exhibition, with large-scale works by contemporary New Zealand artists changing over time. The exhibition therefore does not remain the same, but features changing works in a landscape that varies between bush and open pasture.

The path is considered suitable for most age groups and people with different abilities, but requires a reasonable level of physical fitness. This is an important consideration when planning: the trail offers a specific focus on art and landscape, but should not simply be thought of as an effortless stroll.

Coastal Views, Tides, and Walking Paths

The east-facing beach at Snells Beach offers sweeping views of distant Kawau Bay at sunrise. At low tide, warm, shallow pools form where you can splash around. These two experiences depend on different timings: sunrise is key for the view, while low tide is best for splashing around.

The Snells Beach Waterfront Walk is an easy, flat walking path along the beach with several access points. It is a clearly defined option for anyone looking for an easy coastal stroll. By comparison, the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail requires a reasonable level of physical fitness. The differences between the two paths can therefore be weighed up by considering their respective difficulty levels and experiences.

Another waterfront route starts at Te Whau Esplanade Reserve: from there, a path runs north along the shore and connects with Goodall Reserve. Its route differs from the Snells Beach Waterfront Walk, which runs along the beach at Snells Beach. Anyone interested in a waterfront path will find a second named option here, with a specific destination.

From the Beach Path to Brick Bay

From Snells Beach, you can walk north along the beach to Whisper Cove and then head uphill via Arabella Lane to Brick Bay. The transition from the beach to the uphill section is an important part of this route description and distinguishes it from the flat Waterfront Walk. When planning, you can choose between a walk along the beach and a route that continues uphill after Whisper Cove.

The Glass House Restaurant is located in Brick Bay, Snells Beach. It serves contemporary New Zealand cuisine with fresh, vibrant dishes. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, with a ramp at the entrance and two accessible parking spaces. These specific details about the cuisine and access add to the options Snells Beach offers for a stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Devonport, Onetangi, Port Waikato, Orewa, Epsom, Clarks Beach, Waimauku, Half Moon Bay

For the main travel overview: Auckland.