Activities
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Check out the town with all it’s great businesses and activities here
Tourist Attractions in and around Waiuku
Within 15 minutes
Waiuku Museum
Situated on the Tamakae Reserve, open Sat, Sun 1.30-3.30, Wed 10-12. Also colonial buildings including Hartmann House Handcrafts, Pollock Cottage, Lock Up, Creamery, Maioro School and Anglican Vestry.
Hartmann House
Colonial cottage open for local handmade gifts and imported treasures, on Waiuku Estuary. Open Thursday – Sunday.
Estuary walkways
On Tamakae Reserve, opposite the information centre, follow the path to Owens Rd, cross the bridge and continue on to Edgewater Parade and Riverside Drive. Take the path up to View Rd School. Continue to View Rd.
Kevan Lawrence Park
Attractive grassed area, children’s playground, civic centre and library in King St.
Sandspit beach
Safe sandy beach, tial, playground, water slide, toilets, yacht club, picnic tables, BBQ. Take King St to Sandspit Rd, drive to the end of the road. Walkway through to Elsie Drive, Bayview Drive and McCall Drive.
Karioitahi beach
West coast surf beach, lifeguard patrols in summer, swim with caution. Used by walkers, horse riders, motorcyclists, hang gliders, long-line fishers. Surf lifesaving club, toilets, Agave restaurant. Take Constable Rdto Karioitahi Rd, drive to the end of the road.
Leafy Hollow
Garden, gallery and lavender nursery. Open Friday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm. September – April. Duff Rd, off Whiriwhiri Rd.
Waitangi falls
Spectacular waterfall and stream, secluded beach and picnic area. Take Glenbrook Rd to Waitangi Falls Rd on left, drive to the end of the road.
Within 30 minutes
Te Toro beach
Safe sandy tidal beach, all-tide boat ramp, toilets, children’s playground. TAke King St and Awhitu Rd, turn right at Te Toro Rd, follow signs to the beach.
Pollock settlement
Old settlement of Pollock, historic buildings including the church and school. Views of harbour and coast. Visit Pollock Co-op for arts, crafts and coffee in attractive surroundings. Just follow Awhitu Rd to Pollock.
Matakawau village and beach
Village amenities including store, hall, petrol, school. Turn right at school for Matakawau beach. Holiday homes, picnic tables, all-tide boat ramp, walks, safe swimming, tidal.
Awhitu ARC park
Well worth a visit, camping sites, great views, walks, wetlands, sandy beach, historic buildings, picnic tables and wood barbecues, toilets, adjacent to golf course. Take Awhitu Rd and turn right at Brook Rd.
Waiuku Forest
Drive through forestry to Waikato River. Beaches and views of the river mouth and Port Waikato, picnic areas. Fishing from rocks and netting in river. Horse and bike riding need a permit, enquire at information centre. Drive to Otaua and follow direction signs. Hoods landing on the Waikato river is also worth a visit. Popular boat launch for fishers, whitebaiters and duck shooters.
Glenbrook beach
Take the Glenbrook Rd and turn off at the steel mill sign. Continue on to the beach settlement. Boat ramp and beach hall, as well as a sandy beach with safe swimming. Tidal. Picnic tables and playground on beach front.
Clarks beach and Waiau Pa
Take the Glenbrook Rd to the Kingseat crossroads (roundabout) and then left again onto the Waiau Pa Rd. Equine country and orchards. Waiau beach has a wharf and boat ramp and the settlement has a school, hall, shops and garage. Drive on through to Clarks beach to the golf course, yacht club, playgrounds, stores and restaurants.
St Brides church
St Brides church at Mauku was built in 1861 and during the Land Wars was fortified and loopholed for rifles. Take the Waiuku Rd to Pukekohe Rd and turn left at Titi Rd. Turn left again at Union Rd and the church is on yoru left just over the bridge.
Wrights Water Gardens
With its waterfall and lotus ponds set in an old quarry, this attraction is a short drive from here. Travel towards Patumahoe and watch out for the sign. Open throughout the summer season. Restaurant and gift shop as well as a plant nursery. The annual lotus festival is a major drawcard.
Within 45 minutes
Awhitu central
Just before entering Matakawau village, make a left turn into Kemp Rd and drive to the historic settlement of Awhitu central. Old school, church and graveyard. Views from harbour to coast.
Manukau heads lighthouse
Take Awhitu Rd all the way to the historical lighthouse. Overlooking Manukau harbour entrance and Tasman sea. You will looks across to Whatipu and the infamous bar where the ship Orpheus foundered 150 years ago. Climb the lighthouse to the viewing paltform for the best view. Take the path to the signal station to learn more about this area.
Orua bay
A few kms from the lighthouse, take the left hand turn into Boiler Gully Rd and this will bring you to Orua Bay Rd. Turn left and drive to this historic beach. Swimming, rock fishing, boating and walking are all popular pastimes here. Toilets, playground and an ice cream store.
Wattle bay
From Orua bay, continue on to this quiet, secluded spot with beach walks and long line fishing. Picnic tables and toilets.
Big bay
Another popular holiday hideaway. Takeaway food available at the camp store. Long sandy beach and stream. Drive to the Orua bay turnoff and follow signs to Big Bay.
Grahams beach and Hudsons beach
Two more harbour beaches with distinctive styles. Plenty of picnic areas and safe boating and swimming. Follow the signs from the Awhitu Rd.