Unearth the story of human occupation on Auckland’s regional parks. Explore a pocket sized park where cows grazed by the beach or a historic Victorian Couldrey homestead near the Puhoi River. Swim, picnic under shady trees, fossick on sandy beaches, paddle in rock pools and walk among regenerating forest listening to bird song.
For other trips and holiday inspiration check out Auckland Road Trips.
Visiting Auckland New Zealand for several days?
Make sure to go beyond urban Auckland. A short day trip and you are in one of many regional parks.
Scandrett Regional Park
Here’s a slice of kiwi history together with a sense of seclusion
Scandrett Regional Park is a wrapped heritage package with the bow tie being a stunning landscape. Visitors are entranced by the beautiful bay, the pioneering family story and the red timbered farm buildings nestled into the lush landscape. Do not forget to check out the rustic milking shed and listen to the audio commentary of the Scandrett family complete with the accompanying sound of cows.
Best time to visit Scandrett Regional Park
Year round, simply layer up and wonder about farming life in the nineteenth century in the remote area.
Scandrett Regional Park walks and tracks
There are several well signposted walking tracks clearly marked from the carpark. The spotless, wheelchair accessible toilets are beautifully landscaped to blend into the environment. Pohutukawa trees offer shade under picnic tables inviting visitors to explore the rocks.
Scandrett Regional Park water sports
Between mid to high tide for water sports such as kayaking around the bay, fishing from the rocks or swimming in the sheltered water.
Yes you can stay overnight in Scandrett Regional Park. To book a motorhome spot or bach enquire HERE.
TIP
Scandrett park is a very popular family and friends location resulting in the 1950’s baches often booked out months in advance.
There is plenty of interesting things to do for kids at Scandrett Regional Park.
- Exploring the beach for driftwood
- Being quiet and tiptoeing past the nesting NZ dotterel shore birds
- Peeping into the windows of the historic farmhouse
- Picnic food with their favourite treats
- Exploring rock pools
- Easy walking tracks
Scandrett Regional Park, historic cow milking shed, NZ
Scandrett historic homestead, Scandrett Regional Park Auckland, NZ
Where is Scandrett Regional Park located?
Scandrett Regional Park is located on Mahurangi East Peninsula, a mere 3km beyond Algies Bay and 20 minutes from the popular Snells Beach… read more Scandrett Regional Park things to do.
Shakespear Regional Park
An enormous sturdy fence is the first indication the native sanctuary takes its job very seriously
New Zealand flora and fauna heritage sanctuary is less than 50 minutes from downtown Auckland.
As well as Shakespear’s sheltered family-friendly beaches, it’s a great spot for fishing, kayaking and boating, and the walking tracks reward you with some amazing views. The park is an open sanctuary for threatened native wildlife, so it’s also one of the region’s best spots for bird watching.
The best time to visit Shakespear Regional Park is between spring to early autumn.
Yes, check travel pack section for brochure.
- For kids passionate about native flora and fauna it is a great place to visit
- Picnicing on a beach, under the shade of mature trees with the Auckland skyline in the background
Shakespear Regional Park walks and tracks
There are stunning views of the coastline with the glimmering Auckland skyline reminding visitors of how close to a major city the park’s location is.
Where is Shakespear Regional Park located?
Heritage homestead with exotic mature tree collection: Wenderholm Regional Park
Wenderholm was the first of Auckland’s regional parks. The park at the mouth of the Puhoi River has a great beach for swimming, picnic areas and campsite.
Couldrey House
Couldrey House is an historic homestead with Victorian/Edwardian era furnishings, paintings and family stories. The homestead reflects the life of significant politician and nineteenth businessman, Robert Graham. The entrance to Couldrey House passes mature trees from caucasian fir, bunya bunya pine, moreton bay fig, Holm oak, cork oak, magnolia, coral trees and others planted as long ago as the 1860s. Many of these were gifts to Robert Graham from Sir George Grey. Check travel pack information brochure for opening hours.
- Great place for family gathering and/or birthday party with BBQ, beaches and walks
- A boat ramp is located on the Puhoi River estuary side of the park. It is not recommended to launch and retrieve boats for 3 hours each side of low tide. Kayaking is popular on the Puhoi River estuary.
- Looking for life in the mangroves
- Picnic goodies in the parents hamper
… read more about Wenderholm Regional Park and things to do nearby
Wenderholm Regional Park, kayaking Puhoi River, NZ
Where is Wenderholm Regional Park located?
A heritage homestead is a mere 30 minutes from downtown Auckland: Long Bay Regional Park
While the beach is a perfect family safe day trip the fascinating sideshow is the heritage aspects of the pocket sized park. Long Bay Regional Park is an oasis of native reserves, coastal edges framed with mature pohutukawa trees and wetlands with a thriving wildlife. Together with the adjacent Okura Marine Reserve nature buffs have a variety of ecological habitats to explore on easy walking tracks. While the park’s open space and the beach are its major attractions, Long Bay is a beautiful setting with interesting natural features. The historic farm homestead has been restored and open to the public. Check opening hours before visiting to avoid disappointment. The Torbay Historical Society has restored the homestead. For military fans there is a World War II gun emplacement north of the beach. This was part of a defence network to protect the Waitemata harbour from Japanese. It is interesting looking at the views today and recreating the concerns that led to the gun emplacement.
Best time to visit Long Bay Regional Park
Year round.
Walks and tracks in Long Bay Regional Park
Are extensive, check travel pack information brochure for walking track details. The beach has mature pohutukawa trees offering shade as well as a glorious blaze of colour during spring.
Water Sports in Long Bay Regional Park
A favourite swimming and kayaking destination.
No camping however self-contained vehicles are permitted in designated areas. Check the travel pack information brochure for further requirements.
- Premier playground, wheelchair accessible
- Birthday party central with BBQ facilities
- Long beach is spectacular and a well known local favourite
Where is Long Bay Regional Park located?
Chelsea Heritage Park
Let’s get a sugar rush, at Chelsea Heritage Park
While not designated as a regional park it is a heritage gem. With an iconic factory still continuing to operate it is a great family destination for visitors and locals alike. The walking tracks encompass Waitemata Harbour views with Auckland skyline peeking over the background. Make sure you check out the impressive reimagined sculpture by Bill Hayes. The artwork is created from a ship grab, the mechanical jaws scooping up approximately 8.5 million tons of raw sugar.
Best time to visit Chelsea Heritage Park
Year round.
Walks and tracks in Chelsea Heritage Park
Walks commence at the Colonial Road entrance to the park (car parking is available). Paths are concrete with grassed areas. The path to the coastal Chelsea Bay is steep.
Chelsea Heritage Park is part of the Uruamo headland, with a significant Maori and a colonial history. It has great ecological value as part of the wildlife link for migrating birds. The estate consists of created lakes, wetlands, streams and pockets native bush. There is access to Chelsea Bay.
… Read more about Chelsea Heritage Park
- The Chelsea factory tour where sweet treats lurk
- The machinery and processes that create the sugar in Mum’s cupboard, complete with a pink people mover are interesting. Make sure you are part of the Chelsea factory tour. Lots of fun dressing up in safety gear which includes a pink hi-vis vest, hairnet, pink helmet and safety glasses.
- Kids interested in the environment with a variety of habitats to explore.
Where is Chelsea Heritage Park located?
Travel pack information
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