Auckland's Ultimate Outdoor Adventure, Day Trip to Hunua Ranges Regional Park

Auckland’s Ultimate Outdoor Adventure, Day Trip to Hunua Ranges Regional Park

looking for places to explore close to New Zealand’s largest city Auckland, the Hunua Ranges Regional Park has it all, secluded forest walks, lake fishing, camping and mountain biking all in one area.

The Hunua Ranges Regional Park is just a hop away from Auckland City and with an area over 400 square Kilometers there is plenty of room for outdoor pursuits.

Walking Trails

The most popular activity within the Hunua Ranges Regional Park has to be hiking the many trails dotted through out the regional park, there are also many cycling trails in the park and a popular place for mountain biking.

As with many of the walking tracks around the country and in Auckland many are closed due to Kauri Dieback so please check on the Department Of Conservation Website for track closures in the area you are visiting.

Hunua Falls

Hunua Ranges Regional Park boosts a stunning waterfall, the waterfall is is around 30 meters high and accessible from the Hunua Falls carpark, The access track climbs up from the Wairoa River through beautiful and lush native forest.

Then follows along a small stream before arriving at Hunua Falls lookout platform, also remember to bring your camera with you as this is great spot for photos.

Hunua Suspension Bridge

One of the most popular walks through the Hunua Ranges Regional Park is the Hunua Suspension Bridge Track, this walk starts at the car park on the Wairoa Reservoir Access Road.

This walk is fairly easy and takes you through some stunning native bush and up to a viewing platform high above the Wairoa Reservoir, to get back to the carpark continue on the track to a junction with the Wairoa Cossey Track. Turn right and follow the track back down to the road and carpark.

Mountain Biking

There are a few cycle trails available to mountain bikers in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park, one of the popular cycle trails is the Mangatawhiri Challenge Track, this trail is a challenging one at around 14 km long.

The Mangatawhiri Challenge Track starts at the Upper Mangatāwhiri Campground and loops back to the starting point this is a shared trail so you need to look out for people walking the track while cycling.

Upper Mangatāwhiri Campground

For campers the Upper Mangatāwhiri Campground is the place to stay close to many of the parks walks and activities this is a great place to camp within the Hunua Ranges Regional Park.

The Upper Mangatāwhiri Campground requires advanced booking 6 months, to use the camp ground you cannot just turn up and expect a place to stay, there are toilets, water and power available within the camping area, to book a camping site you need to contact the Regional Park office.