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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

Keep Kauri standing

Kauri dieback is a deadly disease, killing Kauri trees throughout the Auckland region. The Kauri in Awhitu regional park are currently healthy, please help us keep it that way. Click here for more information. Also see information about track closures in the Hunua ranges .

About

Park facilities

Park activities

Tracks

History

About Awhitu

A pleasant country drive through Waiuku and 33km beyond, leads to peaceful Awhitu on the southwest shores of the Manukau Harbour. Wander freely over parkland pastures, explore the wetlands, enjoy the safe, sandy beaches and sheltered picnic and barbecue areas.

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. - 7:00 p.m. (Non daylight savings)
Distance from CBD:	90 km
Park map:	Click here to download a park map
Physical address:	Brook Road, Waiuku
Casual group size:	75

Dog walking is prohibited

Dogs are prohibited from the park and adjoining beaches but are allowed under control on a leash on the Esplanade Reserve at the end of Brook Road.

Click here for information about which regional parks prohibit dog walking

How to get to Awhitu

Take State Highway 1 south, turn off at Drury and follow the signs to Waiuku. From Waiuku drive up the Awhitu Peninsula through Matakawau. About 2km past Matakawau turn right down Brook Rd into the park.

View larger map

Maps

Download park map

Auckland Council GIS viewer

Get directions with Google Maps

Park facilities

Bach Awhitu House

Bookable site Awhitu Bookable Site

Camping Brook Homestead Campground Peninsula Campground

Lodge Awhitu Education Camp

SCC campgrounds and designated parking areas Awhitu SCC parking area

BBQ

There are five wood-burning BBQs (you must provide your own wood). One BBQ is a bookable site just off from the carpark, near the toilets and drinking fountain. Large groups require a permit. Two of the BBQs are in the campsites.

Beaches

There are two beaches: Brook Beach and Kauritutahi Beach. We recommend footwear at all times due to sharp oyster shells along the beach.

Boat ramp

There is a boat ramp at the end of Featon Avenue in the north of the park. There is access to the water for two hours either side of high tide only.

Historic homesteads

Interpretation

Limited mobility toilet

The main carpark has wheelchair accessible toilets.

Mobility access (partial)

Roads and paths are metal and access is dependant on ground conditions.

Native bush

Notice board

Parking

There are an additional 425 parks available on the golf course paddocks and 144 on the access road paddock.

Picnic tables

Potable water

There is a drinking fountain by the toilets at the carpark.

Pram access

Awhitu is largely pram-friendly. Walks may be challenging in places and are dependent on conditions.

Ranger contact phone

Ranger office

Toilet block

Wharf / jetty

Park activities

Bird watching

Boating

Camping - vehicle based

Dog walking prohibited

Dogs are prohibited from the park and adjoining beaches but are allowed under control on a leash on the Esplanade Reserve at the end of Brook Road.

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.

Farm animals - viewing

Sheep and cattle are farmed at Awhitu.

Fishing

Horse riding

Designated trails over gentle rolling farmland.

Click here for more information about horse riding and how to get a horse riding pass

Mountain biking

Settlers Farm Track

Picnics

Although there are no designated picnic sites, feel free to find your own favourite spot to picnic.

Sightseeing

Swimming

Safe swimming is available at both beaches. Watch out for the sharp oyster shells on the beach and in the water.

Volunteering

Please contact (09) 536 7012 if you are interested in volunteering in our southern parks.

Walks (1 hour or more)

Settlers Valley Walk

Walks (less than 1 hour)

Wedding or civil union

The wedding site at Awhitu can accomodate up to 100 people. A permit is required; contact the Senior Ranger Recreation on (09) 261 8001.

Tracks

Settlers Farm Track 1 hour - 3 km Follow the yellow waymakers and you will get to explore most of the park. Watch out for no go areas through regenerating bush.

Brook Homestead Walk ¾ hour - 1.5 km From the car park follow the red waymarkers along the foreshore, past the historic Brook jetty and up onto the headland where the Brook Homestead sits amid a glade of trees. The homestead has recently been repainted in its original colour scheme.

Settlers Valley Walk 1.5 hour - 3 km Follow the yellow waymarkers and you will get to explore most of the park. This walk takes in the wetlands, the two white sandy beaches and climbs up to the viewpoint to take in stunning views of the Manukau Harbour.

History

The Ngāti Te Ata and Ngāti Kahukoka people originally occupied the Äwhitu Peninsula. Their descendents still maintain strong links to this land, with marae located in and around Waiuku.

The large waka Toki-a-Tāpiri, which now rests at the Auckland Museum, came from this area.

Evidence from middens on the park indicates Māori used the local area extensively for fishing and resource gathering.

English immigrants John and Sarah Brook built the Brook Homestead, originally called Brook Haven, in 1878. It remains a central feature of the park. The family added the bach in front of the homestead in 1907.

The old jetty, which remains at Kauritūtahi Bay, was also built by the Brook family. It was a lifeline to the outside world when this far-flung place had no roads. Basic supplies and visitors came in across these boards and kauri posts and farm products went out.

In 1971, John Brook’s grandson Fred sold his land to the Auckland Regional Council (ARC). Āwhitu Regional Park was officially opened in 1975 and continues to operate as a working farm.

To mark the park’s 25th anniversary, a carving (pouwhenua) depicting the fern bird (mātātā) was erected overlooking the wetlands in November 2000. It was carved from a Kauri planted by the Brook family.