Magic Talk host Roman Travers has exposed one of Auckland's best-kept secrets - a stunning freshwater lake with sand dunes very few people know about.
The lake is on the way out to the west coast's Bethells Beach. But Travers says many people "hurtle past" it, not realising it's there.
"Yesterday with my younger brother and sister we headed out to Lake Wainamu," he said on his show.
"You get to this point in the road where there's a single lane bridge and there's a whole lot of cars parked everywhere. Often on the road. And you kind of think 'what's happening there?'"
It's actually a parking area. And Travers says if you stop then walk up a creek for an hour at the most, you come across a large sand dune.
"It's like a scene from Star Wars. There's this big sand dune and it kinds of hurtles downhill into a freshwater lake," he says.
"Now that's got to be a first. I challenge you to tell me otherwise. Do you know of a freshwater lake anywhere else in New Zealand that has a sand dune running into it?"
Travers calls the lake and the dunes "seriously good fun".
"Lots of people take boogie boards out there and they hurtle down the sand dunes straight into the water. There's a fun activity for the family," he says.
It appears others have the same idea as Travers. The lake has 72 reviews on Google and a 4.7 rating.
"The sandhills 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," one person wrote.
"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," another said.
