Walking in the Waitakeres
Covering over 16,000 hectares, it has around 250km of walking tracks, four main waterfalls, plus plenty of fishing, swimming and picnicking spots.
The Arataki Visitor Centre has full information on park features, amenities, ecological info and local preservation issues.
From Titirangi, drive 6km up Scenic Drive and on the left hand side you’ll see a wooden building with an 11m high Pou (guardian post) on the front. That’s the Arataki Visitor Centre.
If you’re keen on Kauri, check out the Montana Heritage Trail. It houses the largest stand of mature Kauri left in Auckland. Please, do be a little sensitive toward these natives. Their root base, which can be easily destabilised by constant foot traffic, has been taking a hammering lately.
There are six campervan sites and 12 standard camping areas in the Ranges. You’ll need to book in advance and pay a small fee to the Auckland Regional Council.
These campgrounds have very basic facilities such as pit or vault toilets, tap or stream water (which you may need to treat or boil). You’ll need to bring everything else including a tent, gas cooker and shower. Open fires are an absolute no-no and pets can’t stay with you at these campsites.
There are five reservoirs located in the Ranges. With a catchment of 4,997 hectares, they provide over a quarter of Auckland’s drinking water. These dams are managed by WaterCare Services, but general public can take a look around via the Dam Tram, a locomotive run by the Waitakere Tramline Society.