Ātiu Creek Regional Park
414 Run Road, Tapora

Horse riding trails closed

Horse riding trails at the park are now closed due to the wet ground.

The trails will reopen on 1 October 2025, depending on ground conditions.

Te Ārai trails remain open all year if you want an alternative location.

About Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Ātiu Creek Regional Park – Pou kaitiaki standing guardian over all who visit the park.

Ātiu Creek Farm was gifted to Auckland Regional Council by Jackie and Pierre Chatelanat who wanted to ensure that all New Zealanders could enjoy access to the Kaipara Harbour. They wanted to ensure the cultural and heritage values of the area would be protected.

Book accommodation at Atiu Creek Regional Park

You need to know

Animals

Dogs, other animals and pets are prohibited at all Auckland Council regional parks' bookable sites and accommodation. The exception is registered aid dogs. You will need to advise our staff at time of booking if you have a registered aid dog for an exemption.
Dogs are allowed in regional parks only as stated in the dog walking section. All other animals are prohibited at all times, unless you have a permit issued by Auckland Council.

Alcohol

Visible and excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
We may ask you and your group to leave the park and terminate your permit.

Smokefree regional parks

Our regional parks are smoke-free.
Please observe this while staying on or using our regional parks.

Waste

All our regional parks are rubbish free. Take all rubbish and recycling with you when you leave.

Outdoor fires

It is illegal to light a fire outside in all public areas in the Auckland region.

Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Ātiu Regional Park

PDF download3.36MB

Dog walking at Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Our tip

Always follow the rules on where you can walk your dog on our website even if the information on park signs does not match. Call us on 09 301 0101 if you need help.
Read more about the dog access rules in Policy on dogs.

Campground
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
Estuary
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
This covers all adjoining water ways from the Oruawharo river and estuary to the park.
This includes dogs inside vehicles.
Park and foreshore areas
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
This covers all areas of parkland and adjoining foreshore.
This includes dogs inside vehicles.

Campground
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Estuary
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Park and foreshore areas
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Dog access rules for other public places

See the Auckland region dog access rules that cover other public areas.

Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Ātiu Regional Park

PDF download3.36MB

Facilities at Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Music

No amplified music is allowed. This includes bluetooth speakers and amplifiers.

Limited mobility toilet block

Unisex toilet block in the main car park with a wheelchair friendly path, and one in the campground. Some assistance may be needed to reach these toilets.

Mobile phone coverage

Some areas on the park have coverage and some do not.

Gate access summer

6am to 9pm (Daylight saving)

Clearfell Track

45 minutes, 1.8 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Clearfell Track is open.

Notice board

Located on the eastern side of the main car park. It has a map, visitor operations information, codes and bylaws. It also includes a tide chart, brochures, and the park ranger contact phone.

Mobility parking

No designated mobility parking and the surface of the car park is loose gravel. You can park on the wide grassed areas on the perimeter of the car park if you can push a wheelchair over the grass.

Unsealed access road

Main roads leading to the park are sealed. The 1.3 km of road from the park entrance to the main car park is unsealed. A further 3 km of unsealed road leads from the main car park to the campground.

Oruawhero River Trail

3 hours, 7.8 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Oruawhero River Trail is open.

Ranger contact number

Located at the main notice board at the eastern side of the main car park.

Native bush

Mature and regenerating native and exotic tree species cover more than a third of this park. There are large kauri, tōtara, pūriri and pōhutukawa on the ridges and coastal reaches. These provide a nice contrast to cypress, cedar, Norfolk pine and redwood.

Toilet block

Two cubicle unisex toilet block located 60 meters to the west of the main car park. One toilet block with 3 unisex cubicles located half way down the eastern side of the campground and is shared with day visitors.

Ti Tree Point Trail

15 minutes, 1 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Ti Tree Point Trail is open.

Mobility access (partial)

This farm park is accessible using all-terrain mobility equipment. Some paths are suitable for the more powerful models of mobility scooter. For special access provisions contact us on 09 301 0101.

Jetty

Jetties at Takahe Creek and the main reservoir.

Pram access

Access for prams is possible around most of the park if you follow the formed roads.

Parking

Parking for up to 25 cars at the end of the park entrance road, 1.2kms from the main park entrance gate. Overflow grass parking to the west of the main car park is available if weather permits. Be considerate to traffic flow and other users.

Boat ramp

There isn't a boat ramp at this park. The nearest available ramp is at Stables Landing and is Auckland Council owned. It is approximately 10 minutes drive back toward Wellsford.

Reservoir Walk

2 hours, 5 km
Mountain buggy access but not suitable for wheelchairs or prams. Check if Reservoir Walk is open.

Picnic tables

There is one standard picnic table at the car park and one at Solomon’s Bay. A picnic table at the top of the airstrip paddock has can accommodate a wheelchair at the end. You may need help to get a wheelchair to the table.

Water supply

Drinking water is from a treated dam supply and is safe to drink. Taps are at the Ātiu Creek campground.

Gate access winter

6am to 7pm (Non-daylight saving)

Interpretation boards

Interpretation boards have history, photographs and show key land marks. These are at the car park, along the Oruawharo River Trail and at the woolshed. Solomon's Bay has a canvas flip book of an artist's interpretation of park and wildlife.

Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Ātiu Regional Park

PDF download3.36MB

Activities at Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Diving

We do not recommend scuba diving around the park as the currents are very strong, and the area is very muddy and tidal. Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) regulations apply.

Orienteering

There are 40 markers located around the park, including an example marker by the noticeboard. Check Orienteering to get the maps, also available from the noticeboard.

Walking

Access for off-road prams is possible around most of the park if you follow the formed roads. Some sections of the road are steep. Most gateways have ramps but you will need to lift your pram over the gates without ramps.

Weddings

You may need to apply for a permit to have an event or wedding in a regional park. For more information call 09 301 0101 and ask to speak to a sector office.

Kayaking

We do not recommend undertaking water activities on this coastline. It is difficult to access, very tidal and is mostly mudflats and wetlands.

Mountain biking

There are a number of biking tracks available. Check Mountain biking for the types and length of the tracks available.

Bird watching

There is plenty here for the bird enthusiasts. See bird watching for information about what you can see and where.

Drones

Check Flying drones or unmanned aerial vehicles for current rules and guidelines for flying in our parks.

Walking

Experience the magnificent vistas of the Kaipara and get up close to native forest and bush. Download the map showing the variety of walking tracks.

Farm animals viewing

Ātiu Creek is a working farm so you may meet cattle, calves, sheep and lambs during your visit. Feel free to wander through the paddocks containing farm animals. Avoid walking between young stock and their mums. You must follow all safety signs and respect restricted areas. Please leave gates as you find them.

Boating

The coastline is difficult to access, and currents are strong and dangerous. Extreme care is advised and we do not recommend accessing the park by watercraft.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted at Atiu Creek. Read more about the best spots for fishing and what to look out for.

Picnics

Atiu Creek is a great place for a picnic and it is easy to find a picturesque spot of your own. Check picnics for information about large groups and conditions.

Horse riding

There are extensive trails over mixed terrain, farmland and through native and exotic forests. Read more about horse riding.

Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Ātiu Regional Park

PDF download3.36MB

Ātiu Creek Regional Park414 Run Road, Tapora

Horse riding trails closed

About Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Book accommodation at Atiu Creek Regional Park

Animals

Alcohol

Smokefree regional parks

Waste

Outdoor fires

Ātiu Creek Regional Park

Ātiu Regional Park

Ātiu Creek Regional Park
414 Run Road, Tapora