Clevedon Walks

Clevedon’s rural, you’re about 45 minutes southeast of Auckland, right where the city finally gives way to farmland and spectacular coastal scenery. This is where East Auckland walks start feeling more remote and rewarding.

The main attractions here are Duder Regional Park (honestly one of the best coastal walks in greater Auckland) and Waitawa Regional Park (four different bush and coastal loops to choose from). You’ve got clifftop paths with massive views, working farmland, historic pā sites, and beaches. It’s the kind of place that surprises people, they don’t expect this level of scenery so close to the city.

The walks range from 30-minute climbs to 3-hour coastal circuits. Most have decent elevation gain, which means better views but a bit more effort. Nothing too strenuous though, just proper walking rather than flat strolls.

Waitawa Regional Park Walks

Waitawa’s got four loop tracks mixing native bush, farmland, and coastal walking. The park sits near Kawakawa Bay, about 10 minutes past Clevedon village. Trails range from an hour to a half-day adventure.

Kererū Loop Walk

The shortest loop at Waitawa, a nice 4km circuit through native forest and along ridgelines with farmland views stretching out on both sides. You’ll follow green markers starting from Mātaitai Bay, passing through regenerating bush before dropping down through the valley. The track crosses the main park road and goes behind the Hoiho Horse park area (there’s a toilet there). Named after the native wood pigeon you might spot if you’re lucky, this moderate loop takes about an hour and gives you a good taste of what the park offers without eating your whole day.

👉 Get the complete Kererū Loop guide

Pīwakawaka Loop Walk

This 2.5km bush loop takes you through regenerating native forest where fantails (pīwakawaka) will absolutely flit around you hunting for insects you disturb. You’ll follow blue markers on a well-formed track with some decent climbs through rimu, tawa, and tree ferns. The moderate walk takes 1-1.5 hours and gets properly muddy after rain, so boots with good grip aren’t negotiable. Brilliant for birdwatching, tūī, kererū, and grey warblers are all common throughout.

👉 Get the complete Pīwakawaka Loop guide

Pūweto Loop Walk

The big one at Waitawa, a proper 9km loop that circles almost the entire park with panoramic Hauraki Gulf views that’ll make you stop and stare. You’ll follow red markers through native bush, open farmland, and coastal sections, passing the historic Pāwhetau Pā site and quiet bays. This is a moderate-to-challenging walk taking 2.5-3 hours with several steep hills that’ll get your heart rate up. The coastal stretch delivers world-class views to Rangitoto and the Coromandel on clear days. Bring plenty of water and watch for slippery clay sections after rain – they turn into skating rinks.

👉 Get the complete Pūweto Loop guide

Kōtare Loop Walk

Note: The Kōtare Loop was renamed in 2025 – the walk still exists

A solid 6km coastal and bush loop following yellow markers from Mātaitai Bay. This moderate walk takes about 2 hours and mixes beach walking, farmland, and native forest sections. You’ll get brilliant coastal views and might spot kōtare (kingfishers) near the water if you’re lucky. The track involves some decent elevation gain and can be muddy in winter, same as the others.

👉 Get the complete Kōtare Loop guide

Duder Regional Park Walks

Duder Regional Park delivers some of Auckland’s best coastal walking, clifftop paths with massive views, working farmland, and beaches all rolled into one. Just know that dogs aren’t allowed anywhere in the park, which is strictly enforced.

Duder Coastal Loop

The star walk at Duder takes you along clifftops with spectacular Hauraki Gulf views, through farmland with grazing sheep (you’ll be opening and closing farm gates regularly), and down to beaches. You’ll climb about 150m elevation over 6km with 360-degree views from high points covering Rangitoto, the Coromandel, and the Hauraki Gulf spread out below. The well-formed track has some solid climbs and takes 2-2.5 hours. There’s beach access at Waimahanga Bay and historic pā sites along the way. Can get muddy after rain and it’s exposed to wind, bring a jacket even in summer.

👉 Get the complete Duder Coastal Loop guide

Duder Farm Loop & Historic Pā

The inland farm loop takes you through working farmland and past historic Māori pā sites where you can see the terracing and defensive earthworks clearly. This 4km moderate loop takes about 1-1.5 hours on farm tracks through open paddocks with rolling hill views. More sheltered than the coastal walk, which is brilliant on windy days when the clifftops would be brutal. Follow orange triangles and shut all gates behind you, this is working farmland.

👉 Get the complete Duder Farm Loop guide

Other Clevedon Walks

Clevedon Reserve (Stairway to Heaven)

A short but seriously steep climb up 200-300+ stairs through native bush to a summit lookout with excellent views across Clevedon Valley, the Hunua Ranges, and the Hauraki Gulf. This 1km walk takes 30-40 minutes return and your legs will absolutely know about it, there’s a reason locals call it “Stairway to Heaven.” Well-maintained stairs and boardwalks wind through kauri, kahikatea, and puriri forest. Start at the car park at the end of Thorps Quarry Road in Clevedon village. It’s a brilliant workout if you want to burn calories in half an hour.

👉 Get the complete Clevedon Reserve guide

Pukekiwiriki Pā Historic Reserve

A short but steep climb to an important historic pā site with panoramic views that make the effort worthwhile. Only 1.5km return taking 30-40 minutes, but the climb’s reasonably steep so don’t underestimate it. Once you’re up top you can see for miles, across to the Hunua Ranges, out to the Hauraki Gulf, over the farmland. The pā earthworks are really well preserved with clear terraces and ditches, plus interpretation panels explaining what you’re looking at and how the site was defended.

👉 Get the complete Pukekiwiriki Pā guide

Tawhitokino Beach Track

A tide-dependent walk to a secluded white sand beach on the Hauraki Gulf, proper hidden gem territory. The 2.5km track takes 30+ minutes one way and includes rock scrambling around Papanui Point (only passable at low tide, so timing matters) plus approximately 200 wooden steps over the point. You must do this walk within 1-2 hours of low tide or you’re not getting through. Beautiful pōhutukawa-lined track with views of Ponui Island and the Firth of Thames. Swimming at the beach is brilliant and dogs are allowed off-leash, which makes it popular with dog owners.

👉 Get the complete Tawhitokino Beach guide

Getting to Clevedon

By car: From Auckland CBD take State Highway 1 south, exit at Whitford-Clevedon Road OR take Clevedon-Kawakawa Road from Papakura. About 45-50 minutes drive depending on traffic. All walks have free parking.

By bus: No direct bus service to Clevedon, which makes it a bit of a mission without a car. Nearest stops are Whitford or Papakura, then you’ll need a car or Uber to actually get to the walks.

Parking Locations

• Waitawa Regional Park – main entrance off Clevedon-Kawakawa Road
• Duder Regional Park – Whakakaiwhara Road entrance
• Clevedon Reserve – end of Thorps Quarry Road in Clevedon village
• Tawhitokino Beach – Waiti Bay via Kawakawa Bay Coast Road

All parking is free. Duder and Waitawa car parks fill up fast on sunny weekends, arrive before 10am or go mid-week if you want guaranteed parking.

When to Walk

Autumn (March-May) is my pick, still warm, less crowded, the light’s beautiful for photos, and it’s just about perfect walking weather.

Summer (December-February) gets hot and busy. The coastal walks are exposed with zero shade, so start early (7am) or go late afternoon to avoid the heat. Swimming at the beaches is brilliant though.

Winter (June-August) can be muddy and the coastal wind is brutal, but you’ll have the tracks to yourself. Clear winter days are spectacular with that crisp air and dramatic light.

Spring (September-November) brings wildflowers, lambs in the paddocks, and warming weather. Can still be muddy in September but it’s drying out by November.

What to Bring

• Plenty of water (no taps on tracks, bring more than you think you’ll need)
• Sturdy walking shoes with good grip, tracks get muddy and slippery
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), these coastal walks are brutal in summer
• Windproof jacket even in summer, that coastal wind can be fierce
• Snacks or lunch
• Camera for the views
• First aid kit (tracks are remote)

Dogs

Duder Regional Park: Dogs NOT allowed at any time
Waitawa Regional Park: Dogs prohibited July 1 – December 1 (lambing season). On-leash only at other times.
Other walks: Check individual walk guides

Walk Comparison

Walk	Distance	Time	Difficulty	Best For
Kererū Loop (Waitawa)	4km	1hr	Moderate	Quick bush walk
Pīwakawaka Loop (Waitawa)	2.5km	1-1.5hrs	Moderate	Birdwatching
Pūweto Loop (Waitawa)	9km	2.5-3hrs	Moderate-Hard	Coastal views, full experience
Kōtare Loop (Waitawa)	6km	2hrs	Moderate	Coastal & bush mix
Duder Coastal Loop	~6km	2-2.5hrs	Moderate	Best coastal views
Duder Farm Loop	~4km	1-1.5hrs	Moderate	History, sheltered walk
Clevedon Reserve	~1km	30-40min	Hard	Workout, quick views
Pukekiwiriki Pā	~1.5km	30-40min	Moderate	History, views
Tawhitokino Beach	~2.5km	30min+	Moderate	Secluded beach

Facilities

Toilets:

• Waitawa Regional Park – at main entrance and Mātaitai Bay
• Duder Regional Park – basic drop toilet at entrance (manage expectations)
• Clevedon Reserve – at car park
• Tawhitokino – at Waiti Bay and composting toilet at beach

Food & drink:

• Clevedon village has cafés and a general store
• Nothing at any of the parks – bring everything you need
• No water taps on tracks anywhere

Tips for Clevedon Walks

• Clockwise on Duder coastal loop gives you the best views
• Start early at Duder or Waitawa on weekends to actually get parking – car parks fill by 10am
• Bring way more water than you think you need – you can’t refill anywhere
• Check the wind forecast before coastal walks – postpone if it’s really blowing
• The mud is real after rain – proper boots with ankle support aren’t optional
• Check tide times before Tawhitokino Beach or you won’t get through
• Close all farm gates at Duder Park – seriously important, it’s working farmland
• Most walks are exposed to sun – bring protection even in winter

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