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Arataki Visitor Centre
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Park activities

Art in the parks
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Art in the parks

The pou (post) stands as a guardian to Arataki, inside you will find whakairo (carvings).

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Dog walking with restrictions
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Dog walking with restrictions

Dogs are allowed on a lead but not permitted inside the visitor centre.

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Picnics
Pram walks
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Pram walks

The Arataki Nature Trail has a metal surface making it accessible for prams.

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Sightseeing
Walks (1 hour or more)
Walks (less than 1 hour)
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Walks (less than 1 hour)

The Arataki nature trail is accessible from the Visitor Centre and provides a great introduction to the flora of the Waitakere Ranges including a beautiful Kauri grove.

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Wedding / civil union
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Wedding / civil union

Weddings have been held at the Arataki look out and on the back decks of the Visitor Centre. These areas can be popular over summer and require a permit so please ring the Visitor Centre on 09 817 0077 to discuss booking your event.

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Tracks

Arataki Nature Trail
< ¼ hour / 1.6 km
Clark Bush Track
1 ¼ hours / 1.8 km
Exhibition Drive
 ¾ hour / 3.2 km
Incline Track
1 hour / 3.2 km
Parker Track
< ¼ hour / 0.14 km
Rangemore Track
1 hour / 1.8 km
Slip Track
 ½ hour / 0.9 km
Upper Nihotupu Walk
 ¾ hour / 2.6 km
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Arataki Visitor Centre

Arataki Visitor Centre is the gateway to the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
  • Want to know where to go and what to do in the Waitakere Ranges? Arataki Visitor Centre is your gateway to all that the park has to offer
  • Talk to the expert park staff and get their recommendations on track conditions, weather or tides
  • Pick up an information brochure or track map to help you find your way around the park
  • Book a campsite or lodge accommodation
  • Find out how you can become a volunteer and have fun while you help to protect and enhance the Waitakere Ranges
  • Pick up information on any of Auckland's 26 regional parks managed by the ARC
  • Phone the Arataki Visitor Centre on 09 817 0077.

Hillary Trail

The Hillary Trail is a four day, three night tramp through the Waitakere Ranges. Find out more about the Hillary Trail.

History

The Waitakere Ranges are rich in history. Te Kawerau a Maki occupied land from Whatipu to Muriwai, and have close ties with the land today. Ngati Whatua occupied land at Muriwai and also have close ties today.

The arrival of Europeans from the 1830s onwards meant huge changes. Thousands of native trees were logged and land was cleared for farming.

Several books outlining the history of the Waitakere Ranges are available at the Arataki Visitor Centre.

Carvings

Carvings created by local Iwi (tribe) Te Kawerau a Maki are a main feature of Arataki.

An 11m high Pou (guardian post) at the entrance, represents ancestors of Te Kawerau a Maki and is one of the largest of its kind in New Zealand. Inside are five other ancestral guardian carvings. For more information about the carvings the booklet titled 'Nga Tohu a Nga Tupuna' is available at Arataki.

Picture of Arataki Visitor Centre
Discover stories and secrets of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park with a stop at the Arataki Visitor Centre.

Park opening hours:

Summer:
9:00am - 5:00pm
Winter:
10:00am - 4:00pm

Weekend opening hours:

Summer:
9:00am - 5:00pm
Winter:
9:00am - 5:00pm

Public holiday opening hours:

Summer:
9:00am - 5:00pm
Winter:
10:00am - 4:00pm

How to get to Arataki Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is on Scenic Drive, 6km from Titirangi. From Auckland City, take State Highway 16 (north western motorway) and head west. Take Exit 2 onto Great North Road and follow signs to Titirangi. Drive through Titirangi Village and at the roundabout, take Scenic Drive. Continue 6km and the visitor centre is on the left.

Distance from Auckland CBD: 25 km

  
Get directions with Google Maps

Limited mobility access

The Waitakere Ranges are renowned for their natural beauty.  A fact sheet below highlights key aspects of the ranges that can by enjoyed by visitors with limited mobility including:

  • Arataki Visitor Centre
  • Rose Hellaby House at Waiatarua
  • Pukematakeo Lookout
  • Rainforest Express train ride
  • Lower Huia Reservoir
  • Glen Esk - Piha

Limited mobililty access at Waitakere Ranges Regional Park (77.0 KB PDF)

Batwalks 2010

Discover the mysteries of these reclusive creatures as we search the sky at dusk. Luck is the name of the game with this and good eyes a must for their quick flying antics can sometimes make them a challenge to spot.

After dark we head off along a bush track and the search begins for the other secretive creatures that inhabit the forest and streams of this unique area.

Dates:              January 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
Meet:                Cascade/Kauri carpark, end of Falls Rd.
Time:                8.15pm (depending on date booked)
Bring:               a detailed list will be sent upon booking
Duration:          2hrs approx
Cost:                Adults $5.00, Children $2.00
                        Family (2 adults and 2 children) $12.00

Bookings essential: Contact Arataki Visitor Centre ph 8170089  

Friends of Arataki

The Friends of Arataki is a friendly group of people who share a love of the Waitakere Ranges. They are involved in fundraising, promotion and volunteer projects. For more information and to become a member phone Yvonne Pivac on 09 827 3803.