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Park Activities

Swimming
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Swimming

You can swim at Cascade Falls

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Wildlife
Horse Riding
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Horse Riding

Horse riding is available at Pae O Te Rangi Farm

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Farm animals
Dogs
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Dogs

Dogs are allowed on a lead. Dogs are not allowed at Lake Wainamu and surrounding areas.

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Walks (1 hour or more)
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Walks (1 hour or more)

If you're looking for a longer walk take the Waitakere Dam Circuit or the iconic Montana Heritage trail.

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Walks (Less than 1 hour)
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Walks (Less than 1 hour)

The Auckland City walk is a good walk for the family, take in the native trees and check out the Cascade Falls.

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Tracks

Auckland City Walk
60 minutes / 1 km
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Auckland City Walk

Walk
Time: 60 minutes
Distance: 1 km

This walk is a favourite for Auckland families. It provides a good introduction to the area and is one of the most beautiful walking loops in the Waitakere Ranges. Marvel at the huge kauri, one with a girth of 6.5m, and the large totara which were once used to make magnificent waka (canoes). A short side track leads up the Cascade Falls, set amongst towering rocky bluffs. Information signs along the way explain interesting features of this forest.

Pram friendly: No

Waitakere Dam Circuit
180 minutes / 8 km
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Waitakere Dam Circuit

Walk
Time: 180 minutes
Distance: 8 km

A lovely nature and history walk starting from the Cascade Kauri car park. Take the Auckland City Walk, Anderson, west Tunnel Mouth and Waitakere Tramline Tracks that lead to the Waitakere Dam. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way and return via Fenceline Track through some mature kauri forest.

Pram friendly: No

Montana Heritage Trail
240 minutes / 8 km
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Montana Heritage Trail

Walk
Time: 240 minutes
Distance: 8 km

This trail is for the more adventurous. This tramp includes a number of different tracks that pass through the magnificent kauri forest and the scenic Waitakere Dam.

Pram friendly: No

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Cascades

Cascade Kauri, Lake Wainamu and Fairy Falls are located in the northern part of the Waitakere Ranges and offer great places to explore. See giant Kauri trees, huge sand dunes and spectacular waterfalls. Walk through ancient forests and along picturesque streams.

In the Cascade Kauri area you will discover excellent examples of large kauri, many over a hundred years old surrounding the Waitakere stream. Adjacent to this are pleasant and expansive picnic areas and a golf course.

You can walk the Montana Heritage Trail - an 8km track that provides access to the largest remaining stand of mature kauri in the Auckland region. A partnership between Montana Wines Limited and the ARC has lead to a loop trail that is fast becoming an iconic Waitakere Ranges walk.  You can learn more about the Montana Heritage trail here.

Park facilities

Picnics sites
There are some great casual picnic sites in the area such as Falls Rd at Cascades, Lake Wainamu, Pae O Te Rangi Farm and Pukematekeo
Camping
You can camp at Opanuku Campground or Pae o te Rangi, a working farm. more...
Campervan access
Self contained campervans can stay up to 2 nights in the Cascades Falls car park. more...
Picture of Cascades
Enjoy the large kauri trees along the walkways.

Park opening hours:

Opens:
7:30am
Closes:
7pm (winter)
9pm (summer)

How to get there

Head along Scenic Drive.

Fairy Falls are located on eastern slopes of the Waitakere Ranges about 5 km north of the Arataki Visitor Centre.

Cascade/Kauri and Lake Wainamu on the Bethells Road. Take Falls Road to Cascade/Kauri.

Distance from Auckland:
50 minutes
  
Get directions with Google Maps


Ark in the Park

The Waitakere Branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society in partnership with the Auckland Regional Council is working to create an Open Sanctuary in the Cascade Kauri Park, Waitakere Ranges - to restore the natural glory of this important forest area by controlling predators and reintroducing species of birds, plants insects etc that once thrived there.

Learn more about Ark in the Park here.