Huia

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Activities Bookable facilities Tracks Te Ara Moana 'the sea-going pathway' Orienteering Hillary trail Horse riding trails Camping pass and booking information Commercial activities on regional parkland Regional Parks Management Plan (RPMP) 2010 Auckland Botanic Gardens

Important notice

Track closures

The Upper Huia Dam track is closed from 14 October 2013 to 28 February 2014. This includes the Upper Huia track from Piha Road to the dam and the Huia Dam Road from Christies track to the Dam. Click here to see map for more details.
Nugget track is closed until further notice as a Kauri dieback prevention measure.

Help protect our Kauri from Kauri dieback

Read important information about Kauri protection. Also see information about Track closures in the Waitakere ranges.

About

Park facilities

Park activities

Tracks

History

About this park

Part of the Waitakere Ranges, Huia is a quiet settlement by the Manukau Harbour. It has tidal beaches, picnic spots, forest walks and campsites. It is a crucial water catchment area for the Auckland region.

Opening hours

Pedestrian access	Open 24 hours
Summer gate opening hours	8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Daylight savings)
Winter gate opening hours	8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Non daylight savings)

How to get to Huia

Take the north-western motorway to the Great North Road exit. Follow Great North Road onto Ash Street which leads onto Rata Street. Take Titirangi Road right through Titirangi Village to the roundabout. Take Huia Road, travel through Laingholm and Parau to Huia.

View larger map

Distance from Auckland CBD

45 km

Maps

Auckland Council GIS viewer

Get directions with Google Maps

Park facilities

Abseiling Karamatura Abseil Site

Bach Barr Cottage

Camping Barn Paddock Campground Karamatura Valley Campground

Lodge Huia Lodge Kiwanis Lodge

SCC campgrounds and designated parking areas Barn Paddock SCC parking area

Beaches

At Huia and Little Huia there is a beautiful tidal bay.

Interpretation

Limited mobility toilet

There is wheelchair access to toilet blocks.

Long drop / vault toilet

Mobility access (partial)

Huia is a crucial water catchment area for the Auckland region and the Lower Huia Reservoir is the most accessible of its five dams. Follow Huia Road through to Huia. Immediately after crossing the bridge to Little Huia, turn right and drive up the top of the dam to see the expansive views.

Native bush

Notice board

Parking

Includes Millbay carpark beside the muesum. Additional parking is available on the muesum paddock if ground conditions allow.

Ranger contact phone

Ranger office

Toilet block

Park activities

Abseiling

Huia has a 10 metre natural abseil from a mixed earth and timber platform. This is a 15min walk from the Karamatura carpark.

Bird watching

Boating

Camping - back country

Camping - vehicle based

Dog walking with restrictions

Dogs are allowed but must be on a lead.

Farm animals - viewing

Fishing

Remember that fishing on the west coast can be dangerous as waves are unpredictable. Always wear a lifejacket.

Lamb feeding (seasonal)

Orienteering

The course covers the farm and surrounding valley area at Karamatura. The course is of easy to medium difficulty and suitable for instructing.

Picnics

Sightseeing

Swimming

Huia is a safer spot for swimming compared to other beaches in the Waitakere Ranges.

Walks (1 hour or more)

For the more adventurous, try the Farley Track/Kakamutua Ridge/Parau Track circuit.

Walks (less than 1 hour)

There are a few short walks on offer to explore Huia. Head through the Karamatura Valley, up the hill on the Mt Donald McLean walk, or along the historic Manukau Timber Company heritage walk.

Wedding or civil union

Locations around the Huia foreshore and the Karamatura Valley provide stunning backdrops for ceremonies. There are also numerous accommodation options available for guests. A permit must be obtained prior to commencement. Some locations are very popular over the summer months and early booking is recommended. Please contact the Arataki Visitor Centre on 09 817 0077 to discuss your requirements.

Tracks

Huia Dam Road 1.25 hour - 6 km From the locked gate on top of the Lower Huia Dam, a gravel road initially meanders beside the reservoir before climbing steeply over a small hill. It then follows the Huia Valley, by-passing Smiths Road and Christies Track to the Upper Huia Dam.

Karamatura Loop Walk 1 hour - 2.4 km A great way to spend an hour in the valley, the Karamatura Loop Walk is a suitable walk for families during most seasons. It is recommended that this circular walk be done in an anti-clockwise direction.

Manukau Bar View Walk 0.16 hour - 0.2 km This is a short, level walk along a gravel track from Whatipu Road to the view of the Manukau Harbour entrance and bar.

Manukau Timber Company Heritage Trail ½ hour - 0.9 km The Manukau Timber Company Heritage Trail starts at the carpark beside Huia Settlers Museum and follows the fenceline to the foreshore.

Mt Donald McLean Walk ½ hour - 0.5 km This easy graded, gravel walk ascends from the parking area and circles to the summit. Viewing platforms give panoramic views of Auckland City, the southern Waitakere Ranges, and Manukau Harbour.

Bob Gordon Track ¾ hour - 1.4 km A loop from Donald McLean Track descends a ridge to sites of the Old Kauri Dam and Bushman’s camp on tributary of Whatipu Stream. The track then climbs back up the ridge on the opposite side of the stream to join Donald McLean Track.

Christies Track 1.25 hour - 1.8 km Christies Trach drops steadily beside the gully from Summit Track near the western end of Upper Nihotupu Dam. There are some muddy patches. The track crosses Huia Stream just before a final short climb to Huia Dam Road.

Crusher Pipe Track 0.3 hour - 0.8 km Crusher Pipe Track branches off Huia Dam Road crossing a stream to the right of water pipes, then climbs and widens to Smiths Road.

Donald McLean Track ¾ hour - 2.2 km From Mt Donald McLean parking area, this is a gravel track following undulating ridge to the Karamatura Forks.

Farley Track 1.75 hour - 3.2 km From Parau Track near the Huia Stream swing bridge, Farley Track passes over gently undulating ground with several bridge crossings over the stream to a small waterfall; from here, a graded track climbs to Kakamatua Ridge (45 minutes).

Fletcher Track 1.5 hour - 3.1 km From Karamatura Loop Walk, Fletcher Track ascends a long steep spur with a short, steep climb to the main ridge where you can enjoy views over Huia. The track then continues along an undulating ridge to Donald McLean Track.

Goat Hill Track ½ hour - 0.2 km From ‘Tom Thumb’ Kauri on Twin Peaks Track, Goat Hill Track ascends steeply to the top of Goat Hill.

Hamilton Track 1.5 hour - 2.8 km Hamilton Track climbs gently from Crusher Pipe Track to cross Summit Track (35 minutes). Enjoy the great views and large kauri trees as you continue down into the Nihotupu catchment to Nihotupu Dam Road end.

Kakamatua Ridge Track ½ hour - 1.2 km Kakamatua Ridge Track climbs undulating ridge from Farley Track to Parau Track.

Karamatura Track 1 hour - 2 km The Karamatura Track climbs steeply over a short distance before descending to White Stream (branch to Karamatura Falls). It then ascends a steep, zig-zag section to spur which climbs easily to Donald McLean Track.

Nihotupu Ridge Track 2.25 hour - 4.2 km From the east end of Parau Track, the Nihotupu Track follows along an undulating ridge between the Kakamatua and Nihotupu watersheds, then descends steeply to the west end of the Parau Track.

Nugget Track 1 hour - 2 km Nugget Track climbs from the Upper Huia Dam through tall stands of kauri and podocarp forest to meet Huia Ridge Track. Some steep and slippery sections.

Panto Track 1.25 hour - 3.1 km From the north side of Huia Road, 200m east of the Cornwallis Road turnoff; Panto track climbs to a clearing amongst pines, then forks right and narrows. The track follows the ridge to Parau Track.

Parau Track 3.75 hour - 6.2 km From the grass area at the foot of the Lower Nihotupu Dam, the Parau Track ascends to the water tank on the flat-topped ridge, then follows a bulldozed track for 50m.

Pipeline Track ½ hour - 0.9 km Pipeline Track is a wide track that branches off Pipeline Road to the junction of Slip Track. The track then narrows and continues over undulating ground, crossing a wooden bridge above the Nihotupu Stream just before reaching Nihotupu Dam Road.

Puriri Ridge Track ¾ hour - 2 km Starting 20m from the carpark along Donald McLean Track, Puriri Ridge track circuits the valley basin then follows an undulating ridge where you can enjoy good views, down to Whatipu Road.

Summit Track 1.75 hour - 2.6 km Summit Track follows a sharp ridge from the western end of the Upper Nihotupu Dam to cross Hamilton Track (40 minutes). The track then climbs steeply at first, then steadily to Nihotupu Ridge Track.

Tom Thumb By-Pass Track ¼ hour - 0.6 km Between Tom Thumb Track and Twin Peaks Track, the Tom Thumb by-pass track by-passes the ‘Tom Thumb’ Kauri and steep section of the Twin Peaks Track.

Tom Thumb Track ¾ hour - 1.6 km Tom Thumb Track crosses Karamatura Stream then ascends steeply to lead around bluffs with views of the Manukau Harbour. Track continues over fairly even ground then climbs to meet Twin Peaks Track beside ‘Tom Thumb’ Kauri.

Twin Peaks Track 2.5 hour - 3 km From the Lower Huia Dam Road, Twin Peaks Track ascends very steeply (with good views) to ‘Tom Thumb’ Kauri, then traverses Twin Peaks and Te Toiokawharu (highest point in the Waitakere Ranges – no view) and along undulating ridge to the Huia Ridge Track.

Upper Huia Dam Track 1.5 hour - 4 km From the carpark on Piha Road, the Upper Huia Dam Track (narrow and rocky in places) follows the line of the old dam construction tramline. There are several small stream crossings and views of the first reservoir not far from the dam.

Walker Ridge Track 1.5 hour - 2.8 km From Huia Ridge Track, Walker Ridge Track follows undulating ridge to the junction of Gibbons Track and Muir Track. There are several steep sections.

Con Bryan Track 0.3 hour - 0.3 km Fifty metres along from Huia Lookout Road, the steep Con Bryan track descends to a secluded, sandy beach.

Lower Nihotupu Dam Road ½ hour - 1.3 km This is a section of private Watercare Services road open to pedestrian public. It runs from the Pipeline Track to the Hamilton Track.

Pipeline Road ½ hour - 2 km Near the Huia Road and Exhibition Drive intersection, a pedestrian access road leads to the start of the Pipeline Track. Note: No access permitted along this road beyond this point.

Smiths Road ½ hour - 1.4 km Smiths Road forks right of Huia Dam Road, crosses the bridge over the headwaters of the Lower Huia Dam then climbs steadily to Crusher Pipe Track (20 minutes). The road then continues to the pipe tunnel (no exit).

Zig-Zag Track ½ hour - 1.2 km From the parking area on Park Road, this gravel track descends the valley to Titirangi Beach Road.

History

For 800 years Māori favoured this part of the Waitäkere Ranges because of its birds, berries and rich seafood resources, including shark. Many archaeological sites in the area reflect this long and intensive period of use.

Cornwallis was intended to be one of the first major settlements in Auckland but isolation defeated it, and it failed. Instead, in the twentieth century, it became a thriving beach community until it was acquired as a regional park, and the beachfront cleared of baches. The entire coast was exploited for kauri and a number of mills were set up. The Gibbons family pioneered the industry. One of their mills was situated at Whātipu and after milling ended, they established an accommodation house, with a post office, and held dances in one of the large coastal caves. The Gibbons’ homestead is part of the lodge still operating today.

In 1863 New Zealand’s greatest maritime disaster occurred at the mouth of the Manukau Harbour. The HMS Orpheus was wrecked and 189 lives were lost. Three of the sailors’ graves can be found just off Cornwallis Road on the Orpheus Graves Walk. The region has an important role as a water catchment area.

The Upper Huia Dam was built in 1929 on the site of an 19th century kauri log dam. In 1945 the Lower Nihotupu Dam was built followed by the Lower Huia Dam, which was completed in the early 1970s.