Whakanewha Regional Park
75 Gordons Road, Omiha

Check for open and closed tracks and help protect our kauri

We have closed large sections of our parks to prevent the spread of kauri dieback.

When you visit our parks, you need to clean your footwear and equipment to avoid transferring disease from one area to another.

Find open and closed tracks and read about protecting our kauri.

About Whakanewha Regional Park

Whakanewha Regional Park - View of the Shell Spit Wildlife Area.

Escape overseas and visit Whakanewha Regional Park on the southern coast of Waiheke Island. It offers sheltered swimming on a long, sweeping beach with a bush clad backdrop. You can also enjoy camping and picnic sites on the foreshore.

Book accommodation at Whakanewha Regional Park

Book a picnic site at Whakanewha Regional Park

Site 1

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.

How to access Whakanewha Regional Park

Pedestrian access ‑ Open 24 hours
Gate access winter ‑ 6am to 7pm (Non-daylight saving)
Gate access summer ‑ 6am to 8.30pm (Daylight saving)
Mobility access (partial) ‑ For special access provisions contact us on 09 301 0101.
Unsealed access road ‑ The access road into this reserve is not sealed.
Vehicle access ‑ No access after closing hours.
Parking ‑ There are 100 parking spaces available, and includes the north eastern beach overflow area.

What to see and do at Whakanewha Regional Park

Picnic sites ‑ Picnic sites are available on a casual basis.

Whakanewha Regional Park

Map of Whakanewha Regional Park

PDF download

Dog walking at Whakanewha 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.

Landward side of Gordons Road and western tracks
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
On-leash
All times - under control
Applies to:
- areas on the landward side of Gordons Road (including the Carsons Road car park, Tarata Track, Fenceline Bridal Track, Nikau Track, Central Track, Mamaku Track and Cascades Loop Track)
- the following western-most tracks between Upland and Carsons roads to provide walking access from Omiha settlement (Rocky Bay) to the on-leash areas on the landward side of Gordons Road. Includes:
All other park, beach and foreshore areas
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
ProhibitedAll times
Applies to all other areas of the park and associated beach and foreshore areas on the seaward side of Gordons Road including:
- the Sculpture car park
- Poukaraka Flats campground
- Upland Road Track
- Dotties Lane Track
- Rua Loop Track and
- Pa Loop Track.

Landward side of Gordons Road and western tracks
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	On-leash All times - under control

All other park, beach 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.

Whakanewha Regional Park

Map of Whakanewha Regional Park

PDF download

Facilities at Whakanewha Regional Park

Pedestrian access

Open 24 hours

Gate access winter

6am to 7pm (Non-daylight saving)

Gate access summer

6am to 8.30pm (Daylight saving)

Mobility access (partial)

For special access provisions contact us on 09 301 0101.

Unsealed access road

The access road into this reserve is not sealed.

Pa Loop Track

30 minutes, 500 m
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Pa Loop Track is open.

Park Walk

150 minutes, 5 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Park Walk is open.

Ranger office

There is a ranger office at the park.

Vehicle access

No access after closing hours.

Picnic sites

Picnic sites are available on a casual basis.

Limited mobility toilet

There is one male and one female wheelchair accessible toilet.

Nikau Track

150 minutes, 4 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Nikau Track is open.

Parking

There are 100 parking spaces available, and includes the north eastern beach overflow area.

Rua Loop Track

30 minutes, 0 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Rua Loop Track is open.

Beach

Whakanewha Bay (Rocky Bay).

Toilets

There are toilets available at this park.

Whakanewha Regional Park

Map of Whakanewha Regional Park

PDF download

Activities at Whakanewha Regional Park

Picnics

Picnic sites are available on a casual basis.

Mountain biking

Please read signage at the park. Find out more about where you can mountain bike at this park.

Volunteering

Please contact 09 536 7012 if you are interested in volunteering in our southern parks.

Swimming

Enjoy the safe, shallow swimming at Whakanewha Bay.

Walking

Less than one hour: take the Pa Loop Track up to the headland for great views of downtown Auckland. More than one hour: take a longer walk up to cascading waterfalls on the Nikau Track.

Bird watching

You will see many common native birds, and may see shining cuckoo, harriers, morepork, red crowned parakeet, banded rail and spotless crake. Along the coastal area you may see water birds, and nesting oyster catchers and New Zealand dotterel.

Weddings

You may need a permit to hold a wedding or civil union ceremony at this regional park. See Apply for a permit to have an event or wedding in a regional park for more information, or call 09 301 0101 and ask to speak to a Senior Park Ranger.

Boating

Small boat access at high tide, anchorage available at nearby Rocky Bay.

Kayaking

Waiheke Island's many inlets and little bays make it a kayaker's paradise.

Horse riding

Access available to ride on the beach at Rocky Bay either by the large pōhutukawa tree or off the Cathedral Track, avoiding breeding dotterel. Find out more.

Drones

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

Whakanewha Regional Park

Map of Whakanewha Regional Park

PDF download

Whakanewha Regional Park75 Gordons Road, Omiha

Check for open and closed tracks and help protect our kauri

About Whakanewha Regional Park

Book accommodation at Whakanewha Regional Park

Book a picnic site at Whakanewha Regional Park

Animals

Alcohol

Smokefree regional parks

Waste

Outdoor fires

How to access Whakanewha Regional Park

What to see and do at Whakanewha Regional Park

Whakanewha Regional Park

Map of Whakanewha Regional Park

Whakanewha Regional Park
75 Gordons Road, Omiha