Places ► Waitakere Ranges Regional Park ►

Places to stay

Waitakere Ranges Regional Park

Hut • Shelter (PVT).

A large, octagonal picnic shelter in the Pararaha Valley, Waitakere Ranges. Camping is available around the shelter (40 people max), by permit from Auckland Regional Council.

Ngaro Te Kotare Hut

Hut • Club hut (Auckland Tramping Club). Capacity: 24.Bookings required.

A large hut in the Waitakere Ranges. The hut was opened 17 March 1929 by the Auckland Tramping Club. Cookware and dinnerware are available at the hut. The hut has road access.

Ōngāruanuku Hut

Hut • Club hut (Auckland University Tramping Club). Capacity: 12.Bookings required.

Ōngāruanuku or "O'nuku" as it's known is maintained by the Auckland University Tramping Club. It was once an abandoned timber milling camp cookhouse called Simla Hut. The club took ownership of the...

Opanuku Pipeline Campground

Campsite • Basic Campsite (Private). 10 spaces.

Small campsite in the Waitakere Ranges. The campsite has two grassy spaces amongst pretty forest on the banks of the Opanuku Stream. The short Opanuku Pipeline Track also starts here.

Pararaha Valley Campground

Campsite • Backcountry Campsite (Private). 40 spaces.

Basic campsite located in the beautiful Pararaha Valley just back from the blacksand beach. Managed by Auckland Council. Bookings required.

Karamatura Valley Campground

Campsite • Backcountry Campsite (Private). 40 spaces.

Basic campsite located in the Karamatura Valley behind Huia Bay. Managed by Auckland Council. Bookings required.

Whatipu Caves Campground

Campsite • Backcountry Campsite (Private). 20 spaces.

Basic campsite located by the Whatipu Caves, Whatipu. Managed by Auckland Council. Bookings required. Water must be carried in from the car park.

Barn Paddock Campground

Campsite • Informal campsite (Private). 60 spaces.

Basic campsite located on Karamatura Farm in Huia. Managed by Auckland Council. Bookings required. Water should be boiled.

Craw Campground

Campsite • Backcountry Campsite (Private). 40 spaces.

A new campsite built for the Hillary Trail. Located on the old Craw Homestead site on Anawhata Road.

Whatipu Lodge Campground

Campsite • Informal campsite (Private). 80 spaces.

Campground attached to the historic Whatipu Lodge. Managed by Auckland Council.

McCreadies Paddock Campground

Campsite • Informal campsite (Private). 20 spaces.

Basic campsite near Karekare. Managed by Auckland Council. Bookings required. Water from stream.

Tunnel Point Campground

Campsite • Backcountry Campsite (Private). 20 spaces.

Basic campsite located by an old logging tramway tunnel south of Karekare. Managed by Auckland Council. Bookings required.

Odlins 2 Campground

Campsite • Backcountry Campsite (Private). 20 spaces.

Small campsite on the Odlin Timber Track. Bookings required. Stream water.

Hut categories

Great Walks Hut: Well appointed DOC hut on one of the nine Great Walks. Great Walks pass required, bookings may be required. Facilities typically include toilets, heating, water, and bunks with mattresses. Some huts will have lighting, gas cooking, and a DOC ranger.
Serviced Hut: Larger, high standard hut. Many serviced huts have a booking system and must be booked in advance. Other huts require a back country hut pass or 3 hut tickets. Mostly owned by DOC. Facilities typically include a toilet, open fire or wood burner, water supply, and bunks with mattresses.
Serviced Alpine Hut: Alpine hut owned by DOC or clubs such as NZAC. Generally no heating. Payment varies. Facilities typically include a toilet, water supply, and bunks with mattresses.
Standard Hut: Typical DOC hut. Back country hut pass / 1 hut ticket required, no bookings. Facilities typically include a toilet, open fire or wood burner, and bunks with mattresses.
Basic Hut/Bivvy: Small DOC huts of 2-6 bunks. No fees or bookings. Facilities typically include a toilet and bunks with mattresses.

In general, food and cooking equipment is not available at huts. See DOC and NZAC websites for details of pricing and booking.

Campsite categories

Great Walks Campsite: Campsites are available on most Great Walks, usually next to huts. Great Walks pass required, bookings may be required. Toilets, water supply. No use of hut facilities not available.
Serviced, Scenic, or Standard Campsite: Accessible by car or boat, and offering a range of facilities.
Basic Campsite: Accessible by car or boat, but with minimal facilities. No fees or bookings. Toilet, water may be from stream.
Backcountry Campsite: Walk-in access. Fees vary. No bookings. Toilet, water may be from stream.