Historic places

Auckland's 26 regional parks are great places to learn about the past. Historic buildings on the parks are living examples of how the first settlers in the region used to live, while information panels at significant Maori heritage sites on the parks give an insight into Maori traditions and culture.

Many of the heritage buildings in the parks are used for visitor purposes or community uses, and access to most of the historic places is unrestricted. Some heritage buildings can be booked for overnight accommodation.

Heritage places you can visit include:

Couldrey House - originally named Wenderholm ('Winter Home'), the earliest part of Couldrey House is thought to have been built in about 1857, by Robert Graham, one of Auckland's best known entrepreneurs and politicians. It was extensively renovated by the last private owners, the Couldrey family, after whom it is now named.

Ōmana Pā - Māori began to build pā (earthwork fortifications) as conflict between iwi (tribal groups) increased. Most pā were built close to kainga (villages) and maintained as refuges that could be occupied during times of threat. Ō-Manawatere pā was built to take advantage of the coastal cliff as a natural form of defence on one side.

Pou whenua - Pou whenua are carved posts placed strategically on the land to acknowledge and represent the relationship between tangata whenua (the people of the land), their ancestors and their turangawaewae (place of standing).

Scott Homestead - located at Scott Point on the Mahurangi Harbour, the homestead is a two-storied Georgian style building built by Thomas Scott (junior) in 1877, and extended four years later. It operated as a private hotel and boarding house at a time when the Mahurangi was a hub of shipbuilding and timber milling activity.

Shakespear WWII defences - the heritage trail at Shakespear Regional Park is adjacent to one of New Zealand's key World War II heritage sites. Visit a "pillbox" and anti-tank ditch built to defend Auckland against the threat of Japanese invasion.

Maungatauhoro Te Hikoi heritage trail - begins at Couldrey House gardens and follows a circular route around the tableland between Wenderholm and Waiwera. On-site panels provide information about the cultural and natural history of the area.

Vaughan Homestead - was originally constructed as a farm cottage in 1863 by George Vaughan, and was occupied by the Vaughan family for over 100 years. Today, the homestead has been restored to its 1890 appearance and is available as a venue for weddings, seminars, small functions and general community use.

Montana Heritage Trail - learn about the cultural and natural history of the Waitakere Ranges as you take one of the walks along this trail.

Heritage places you can stay at:

Whatipu Lodge - nestled against the steep hills at the back of the Whatipu beach flats, has provided accommodation for sightseers for nearly a century. The oldest part of the lodge was built in about 1867 during the days of timber milling, by mill manager Nicholas Gibbons. Today the Lodge remains a significant part of the cultural history of the Waitakere Ranges.

Vine House - designed as the ideal farmhouse in an avante garde architectural style, the Vine farmhouse (1952) is a reminder of the time when the Mahurangi was once frequented by Auckland by Auckland's creative community of writers and artists. Boat access only.

Scandrett baches - Real kiwi baches are almost a thing of the past: stay in one of three 1950s baches on the waterfront at Scandrett Regional Park.

Heritage places you can stay at (groups and schools):

Huia School (Huia Lodge) - an outdoor recreation camp and residential facility with accommodation for 24 persons. Located at Huia Bay, it is an ideal facility for schools, family groups and corporate teams wanting to get away from it all. The lodge is based around the historic Huia schoolhouse, built in 1893.

Kiwanis Huia Camp - adjacent to Huia heritage trail and Huia Settlers Museum, the camp incorporates Hinge House, an 1890s mill manager's house.

Shakespear Lodge (YMCA) - a historic homestead based around the original Shakespear farmhouse built in 1910. It has 84 beds with full catering kitchen facilities and services.

Please enjoy your visit, but respect private property rights (where applicable) and do not disturb, damage or remove any part of the site.