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Remember to be a tidy Kiwi!

All our regional parks are rubbish free. Whether you call it rubbish, trash or garbage, please bag it all up and recycle it or throw it away when you return home.

Important notice

Track Closures

Following the decision by the Environment and Community Committee to close a number of tracks and implement a further programme of high and medium risk track closures, staff and rangers have been working hard to identify more tracks for closure.

A rāhui has been placed over the Waitākere Ranges by iwi Te Kawerau a Maki. This cultural restriction by the mana whenua of the area urges people to stay away from the ranges to allow the forest to heal. The council supports the principles of the rāhui and recommends alternative walking and tramping tracks across the Auckland region.

The list below includes additional tracks identified since the committee meeting on 5 December.

Long-term closures are in place for the following tracks:

Sharp Bush Track - Opanuku
Ferndown Track - Opanuku
Peripatus Track – Off Scenic Drive
East Tunnel Mouth Track - Off Scenic Dv
Filter Track – Off Scenic Dv
Goodfellow Track – Part of Fairy Falls Loop
Clark Bush Track - Titirangi
Manchester Unity Block – Parau- Laingholm

The following tracks, which have been temporarily closed for more than five years, are now permanently closed and will be decommissioned.

Walker Kauri Track – Waiatarua
Taumata Track – Waiatarua
Nihotupu Ridge Track – Parau

If visiting open areas of the ranges, or any kauri forest:

Clean all soil off your footwear and other gear every time you enter or leave a forest area with native trees and at every cleaning station
Use disinfectant after you have removed all the soil
Stay on track and off kauri roots.

For more information about kauri dieback disease click here.

About

Park facilities

Park activities

Tracks

About Arataki Visitor Centre

The Arataki Visitor Centre is the gateway to the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, with more than 16,000 hectares of native rainforest and coastline. It's 250km of walking and tramping tracks provide access to beaches, breathtaking views, and spectacular rocky outcrops, including the Hillary Trail, black sand beaches, waterfalls and giant kauri trees.

The Park Rangers here will help you make the most of your visit. They know the latest track and weather conditions and the directions to the best places in the Park. If you are staying in the Park overnight, ask for the best camping & campervan sites.

Please remember:

Keep to the tracks and clean your footwear at every trackside cleaning station to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease
Don’t remove plants. Even leaf litter is home to forest creatures.
Take your rubbish home with you
No solid fuel fires
No roadside (freedom) camping

Arataki Visitor Centre opening hours

1st May - 31 Aug	10 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Monday - Friday
	9 a.m. - 5 p.m.	Saturday and Sunday
1st Sept - 30 April	9 a.m. - 5 p.m.	Everyday, except Christmas day
	9 a.m. - 5 p.m.	Saturday and Sunday

Park information

Pedestrian access:	Open 24 hours
Summer gate opening hours:	6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Daylight savings)
Winter gate opening hours:	6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Non daylight savings)
Distance from CBD:	25 km
Park map:	Click here to download a park map
Physical address:	300 Scenic Drive, Titirangi

Dog walking restrictions

Dogs are allowed on a lead but not permitted inside the visitor centre.

Click here for information about which regional parks allow restricted dog walking

How to get to Arataki Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is at 300 Scenic Drive, 6km from Titirangi. 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 exit. Continue for 6km and the visitor centre is on the left.

View larger map

Maps

Download park map

Auckland Council GIS viewer

Get directions with Google Maps

Park facilities

Building Arataki Lecture Room

SCC campgrounds and designated parking areas Arataki SCC parking area

Cellphone coverage

Free WiFi

Free WiFi available at Arataki Visitor Centre.

Interpretation

Mobility access (partial)

The Waitakere Ranges are renowned for their natural beauty. There is limited mobililty access at Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

Native bush

Notice board

Parking

There are 40 spaces available in the main car park, 18 in the depot and 9 in the Parkinsons Road area.

Picnic tables

Potable water

Ranger contact phone

Sealed access road

Security gates

Security surveillance

Shelter

Toilet block

Visitor centre

Arataki Visitor Centre

Park activities

Art in the parks

The pou (post) stands as a guardian to Arataki, inside you will find whakairo (carvings).

Dog walking with restrictions

Dogs are allowed on a lead but not permitted inside the visitor centre.

Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Click here to obatin rules and guidelines for flying UAVs and drones. In particular pay attention to the code of conduct.

Education

Each year schoolchildren embark on Arataki's 'pathway to learning' where they participate in hands on environmental education programmes.

Picnics

Sightseeing

Volunteering

For Volunteering at 'Ark in the Park', see www.arkinthepark.org.nz or contact us on (09) 810 7014.

Walks (1 hour or more)

Walks (less than 1 hour)

The Arataki nature trail is accessible from the Visitor Centre and provides a great introduction to the flora of the Waitakere Ranges, including a beautiful Kauri grove. Click links below for track information: