Arataki

Auckland Region

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As well as providing information on the 250km of trails within Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, this impressive centre features Māori carvings and spectacular views. The carvings at the entrance depict the ancestors of the Kawerau iwi. A 1.6km nature trail opposite the centre leads visitors past labelled native species, including mature kauri. On the ground floor, the 12-minute Dawn to Dusk video offers an informative overview.

Book here for several basic campsites (adult/child $8/4) within the park.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • One Tree Hill monument in Auckland, New Zealand.

    One Tree Hill

    10.27 MILES

    Maungakiekie was the largest and most spiritually significant Māori pā (fortified village) prior to British arrival. At the top of this volcanic cone (at…

  • Aerial of the Mount Eden volcano in Auckland, New Zealand.

    Mt Eden

    9.91 MILES

    From the top of Auckland’s highest volcanic cone (196m), the entire isthmus and both harbours are laid bare. The symmetrical crater (50m deep) is known as…

  • Auckland War Memorial Museum.

    Auckland Museum

    11.17 MILES

    This imposing neoclassical temple (1929), capped with an impressive copper-and-glass dome (2007), dominates the Auckland Domain and is a prominent part of…

  • The entrance of the Auckland Art Gallery (or Toi o Tāmaki in Māori), located below Albert Park in the city centre.

    Auckland Art Gallery

    11 MILES

    Auckland's premier art repository has a striking glass-and-wood atrium grafted onto its 1887 French chateau frame. It showcases the best of NZ art, along…

  • The Arts House Trust

    The Arts House Trust

    8.93 MILES

    Housed in a gorgeous 1879 mansion with views to One Tree Hill and the Manukau Harbour, this arts centre is endowed with contemporary NZ art from an…

  • A large lizard in its enclosure at the Auckland Zoo, New Zealand.

    Auckland Zoo

    8.45 MILES

    At this modern, spacious zoo, the big foreigners tend to steal the attention from the timid natives, but if you can wrestle the kids away from the tigers…

  • Historic cannon on North Head Reserve overlooking Auckland.

    North Head

    14.03 MILES

    North Head was a Māori pā and is still a fortress of sorts, with the navy maintaining a presence. It's riddled with tunnels, started at the end of the…

  • Civic Theatre in Auckland.

    Civic Theatre

    10.93 MILES

    The 'mighty Civic' (1929) is one of only seven ‘atmospheric theatres’ remaining in the world and a fine survivor from cinema’s Golden Age. The auditorium…

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