Medlands Beach

Medlands Beach is in Oruawharo Bay on the east coast of Great Barrier Island in the Auckland Region of New Zealand.[1] Auckland Council describes it as the most accessible beach on the island.[1] It is one of the island's main tourist areas but is little developed.[2] The small settlement of Medlands consists of permanent houses and holiday baches, some behind the dunes, sheltered from winds from the sea, and others elevated for a view.[1]

Medlands Beach, seen from the Sugar Loaf hill

Medlands Beach is directly south of Kaitoke Beach, with the Sugar Loaf hill and Pitokuku Island in-between. The beach is a "sweep of white sand"[2] 2.1 kilometres long that can be walked both ways in 90 minutes. Halfway along the beach is Memory Rock, also called Medlands Rock, with a short informal walking track to the summit, where there are views across the bay.[1]

At the northern end of the beach is an exposed beach surf break[3] that offers reliable surfing conditions during most of the year.[2] At the south-eastern end of the beach is Shark Alley, a sheltered spot for swimming and launching boats. It has a small stream with several pāteke (brown teal ducks)[1] and a Department of Conservation campsite.[4]

The settlement has Great Barrier Island's only traditional church building, St John's Community Church, which is used ecumenically.[5] Medlands has a number of accommodation providers, but no grocery stores or food retailers. It is a 4-kilometre drive from Great Barrier Aerodrome and Claris, which has a general store, a New Zealand Post shop, a petrol station and other facilities.[2]