The ARC Network: Auckland Regional Transport Authority | Auckland Regional Holdings | Auckland Botanic Gardens | AucklandPlus
Complete Network
Go to Auckland Regional Council home page
Home / Contact us / Jobs / Sitemap / Search
Our parks
Parks in the region
Stay in a park
Bookable sites
Arts and culture
Before you go
Arataki Visitor Centre
View parks A - Z

Park activities

Bird watching
Camping - backpack
Camping - vehicle based
close

Camping - vehicle based

You may park and camp at the Whatipu Lodge campground. This campground is managed privately. For more information please contact: Telephone: 09 811 8860 Email: whatipulodge@xtra.co.nz

Find other parks with camping - vehicle based

Dog walking with restrictions
close

Dog walking with restrictions

Dogs are not permitted in the scientific reserve but can go on tracks (Omanawanui, Gibbons, Muir) but are not permitted on the track to the caves or on the beach.

Find other parks with dog walking with restrictions

Fishing
Picnics
Sightseeing
Surfing
Walks (1 hour or more)
close

Walks (1 hour or more)

Take the Kura Track which follows the Whatipu Stream past the Gibbons timber mill.

10 out of 10

Find other parks with walks (1 hour or more)

Walks (less than 1 hour)
close

Walks (less than 1 hour)

Take a short walk to the Whatipu Caves, where dance parties were held in the 1920s.

9 out of 10

Find other parks with walks (less than 1 hour)

Wedding / civil union
close

Wedding / civil union

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.

Find other parks with wedding / civil union

Search for activities

Tracks

Destruction Gully Track
 ¾ hour / 1.2 km
Kura Track
1 ¾ hours / 3.6 km
Manukau Bar View Walk
< ¼ hour / 0.2 km
Omanawanui Track
2 ¼ hours / 3 km
Signal House Track
< ¼ hour / 0.4 km
Whatipu Coast Walk
< ¼ hour / km
Print view

Whatipu

The Whatipu area is a Scientific Reserve owned by the Department of Conservation and managed on behalf by the Auckland Regional Council.

It is a spectacular area of coastal dunes and wetlands. It is also the breeding ground for endangered species such as the New Zealand Dotterel. Due to its status as a scientific reserve no dogs are permitted at Whatipu.

Swimming is not recommended at Whatipu beach as the surf and tidal conditions are extremely dangerous.

Park facilities

Lodge - view details
Beaches
Historic homesteads
Interpretation
Long drop / vault toilet
Native bush
Notice board
Parking
Overflow parking at both campground and turners paddock (150)
Toilet block
Unsealed access road
Picture of Whatipu
Whatipu is the breeding ground for endangered species such as the New Zealand Dotterel.

Park opening hours:

Summer:
7:30am - 9:00pm
Winter:
7:30am - 7:00pm

Weekend opening hours:

Summer:
7:30am - 9:00pm
Winter:
7:30am - 7:00pm

Public holiday opening hours:

Summer:
7:30am - 9:00pm
Winter:
7:30am - 7:00pm

How to get to Whatipu

Take the North-Western Motorway to the Great North Rd Exit. Follow Great North Rd onto Ash St which leads onto Rata St. Take Titirangi Rd right through Titirangi Village to the roundabout, take Huia Rd through to Huia. Continue on to Whatipu Rd for access to Whatipu at end of Whatipu Rd.

Distance from Auckland CBD: 30 km

  
Get directions with Google Maps

Friends of Whatipu

The Friends of Whatipu is a friendly group of people who have resolved to act as guardians of the area. They are involved in fundraising, protection and volunteer projects such as beach clean-ups and tree planting. For more information and to become a member phone Bruce Harvey on 09 817 3651.