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New Zealand >
National Parks > Waitakere
Ranges Regional Park
These ranges were formed by a chain of volcanoes which had their active
life over 20 million years ago. These ranges have since been eroded to sheer
cliffs and deep valleys. You will find over 250km of short walking tracks
and lengthy tramping trails, with the area covering more than 16,000
hectares of native forest and coastline and a
rich variety of native trees and other plants.
The Arataki Visitor Centre
Provides a great 360° view, and is the ideal
place to to find help to plan your walks and learn about the environment,
heritage, and what to see and do in the Waitakere Ranges. The centre is full
of interesting displays, video presentations, interactive maps of the area
which will educate and inspire visitors. From
Auckland City, take State Highway 16 (north western motorway) and head
west. Take Exit 2 onto Great North Road and follow signs to Titirangi. Drive
through Titirangi Village and at the roundabout, take the Scenic Drive. and
the visitor centre is 5km along on the left.
Website
Walks:
One of the
main entrances into the Waitakere Ranges is at the end of Glen Esk
Road, inland from the Piha Domain.
Piha Valley Track
Follows the Piha
Stream into the ranges, linking up with other tracks. - Arataki – Maori for ‘Pathway of
Learning’
This is a walk serves as an introduction to New
Zealand native bush. The trail is divided into 11
sections or ‘learning areas’. These include
‘Birth of a Forest’, ‘Emerging
Patterns’, ‘Life from Death’, and
‘Adaptation’. There are brochures available
with more detail and hints for making the most of the
trail.
- Rangemore
Track
Leads to a stand of Kauri trees,
and great views over the Waitamata Harbour.
Spragg
Bush Walk
Takes you to a huge Kauri tree.
- Fairy Falls
A beautiful waterfall set deep within the bush. It is excellent for photo opportunities.
- Cascade Kauri Park
Considered the best Kauri forest in Auckland with an abundance of birdlife.
- Kitekite Track
Leads to the impressive three-tiered Kitekite Falls
- Piha Valley Track
Follows the Piha Stream
high into the ranges, linking up with other tracks.
- Byers Track
Takes you through old bush with tall trees festooned with supplejacks.
There are picnic areas off this track.
- Mercer Bay Loop Track
Starts at the end of Te Ahuahu Road at the top of Piha Hill
and takes you along the edge of high cliffs.
The rugged
coastline of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park has
magnificent beaches, and very interesting rock
formations. Piha and
Karekare on the west coast are two beaches which
offer dramatic sea and landscapes.
If you like to
fish, Whatipu is a popular place to go on the outer
reaches of Manukau Harbour. There are interesting
caves which you can reach from the beach, and black
sand created by volcanic activity.
If you’re
looking for historical sites, Cornwallis, on the
northern side of Manukau Harbour has some nice, easy
walks past a number of sites of interest. The beach
here is safe for swimming and a good spot for
barbeques or picnics.
Other Parks:
Further from the Ranges,
Muriwai
beach has a coastal
walk to a mainland Gannet colony which has
information about the birds, and there are thousands
of birds living here.
-
Wenderholm
is on the east coast, described by some as
the most beautiful regional park. It has a
number of forest walks with unequalled views
of the Hauraki Gulf. It has loads of great
picnic spots, and safe swimming. There is a
museum here, which gives a unique peek at the
history of the area.
-
Waharau
Park, also on the east coast, but south of
Auckland has a very dramatic landscape, with
farmland and forest or Podocarp and Beech
trees, and a rugged coastline. Very
beautiful.
-
Hunua
Falls is a pleasant stop if you are heading
south from Auckland. These falls are 2km east
of Hunua, and has a picnic area, and short
walks. There are alot of walks and trails
available in the Hunua Ranges.
-
Auckland Domain is in the city only a few
minutes from the heart of the city. It is a slice of paradise in
a busy bustling city, and can provide some relief from traffic
noise and pollution. There are lots of trees and a stream, ample
parking and nice green grass with picnic spots, or room for a
game of sport. It is not very wild, but has native bush, a
winter garden, fernery and formal gardens. Not far from here is
the home to a spectacular collection of wild fowl, in very
picturesque grounds in Western Springs.
As you can see,
Auckland has a lot to offer outside of the busy
bustle of city life! More
National Parks -
Tramping.
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