Whakanewha Regional Park on Waiheke’s southern coast is a hidden gem. This beautiful loop walk takes you through regenerating native forest, past cascading streams, along peaceful beaches, and through wetlands that are home to rare birds. It’s one of the best bush walks on Waiheke, and way quieter than the island’s more famous spots.
The park itself has a fascinating history – local activists saved it from developers in the 1990s, and the care and restoration work shows. You’ll walk through lush forest with giant tree ferns, nikau palms, and puriri trees, with the chance to spot kererū, tūī, fantails, and even the rare New Zealand dotterel.
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Where | Whakanewha Regional Park, Rocky Bay (Omiha), Waiheke Island |
| Start | Sculpture car park, Gordons Road |
| Distance | 4.9 km loop (with Cascades option) or 2.4 km shorter loop |
| Time | 2-2.5 hours (full loop) or 1 hour (shorter loop) |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| Dogs | Not allowed on main loop (protected dotterel nesting areas). Dog-friendly alternative loop available north of Gordons Road |
| Prams/Wheelchairs | No – bush tracks with steps and uneven terrain |
| Parking | Free at Sculpture car park, Gordons Road |
| Best for | Bush lovers, birdwatchers, families with older kids, peace and quiet |
Proper Native Bush: This is regenerating native forest with taraire, tawa, nikau palms, giant tree ferns, puriri trees, and supplejack vines. It feels wild and peaceful.
The Cascades: A beautiful detour takes you to swimming holes and picturesque cascade waterfalls through a cavernous puriri grove.
Rare Birds: This is one of the few places on Waiheke where you might see the rare New Zealand dotterel. You’ll definitely hear and see tūī and fantails, and maybe kererū (wood pigeons).
Beaches: The walk includes beautiful sheltered beaches perfect for a swim or picnic under magnificent Pohutukawa trees.
History: The park has visible pā sites, terraces, and kumara pits from Māori settlement, plus European boat-building and forestry history from the 1830s.
Well-Maintained Tracks: The paths are excellent – well-formed steps with distinctive orange Waiheke gravel making them easy going even on the steep bits.
Quiet: Unlike the northern beaches and wineries, Whakanewha stays relatively peaceful. You can actually have some solitude here.
Park at the Sculpture car park on Gordons Road in Whakanewha Regional Park. It’s free but can get busy on weekends.
Getting there by bus: Take the Rocky Bay bus (Route 502) to Omiha Memorial Hall, then follow signs from the end of Omiha Road along the shoreline into the park (adds about 20 minutes walking).
Before heading into the bush, cross the bridge from the car park and turn left to walk about 300m along the beach to a picnic area under magnificent Pohutukawa trees. Beautiful spot for a swim or early break.
Important: Don’t turn right along the beach from the bridge – that area protects rare NZ dotterel nesting sites.
1. Dotties Lane (Beach parallel track) From the car park, head west on Dotties Lane which runs parallel to the beach. At the first fork, veer right to continue onto Cathedral Track.
2. Cathedral Track (Bush climbing) This takes you up through the forest. The track is well-maintained with good steps. At the top, turn right into a shared driveway that leads down to the road.
3. Road Crossing Cross the junction of Gordons Road and Carsons Road, staying left on Carsons Road. Pick up the track parallel to the road through a gravel car park.
4. Tarata Track (Into the heart of the forest) Continue straight ahead to start Tarata Track. This is where you enter the really beautiful regenerating bush. Stay left where signposted toward Onetangi Sports Park.
At the junction with Central Track, take the right branch – this is worth the extra 10-15 minutes.
Five minutes along you’ll reach Central Track. Cross it and pick up Mamuku Track. Branching off this is the Cascades Track Loop – a magical 10-minute loop that descends through a cavernous puriri grove before ascending alongside a series of swimming holes and the picturesque cascade waterfalls.
After the Cascades, backtrack to the junction with Tarata Track to continue the main loop.
5. Kōwhai Track (Completing the loop) Turn sharp left onto Kōwhai Track. 50m further, stay left again on Kōwhai Track. When the trail finishes, continue downhill 500m along the quiet sealed road to return to the sculpture car park.
Dogs are NOT allowed on the main Whakanewha Loop to protect nesting New Zealand dotterels. But there’s a dog-friendly loop north of Gordons Road.
The signage can be confusing (some people have been told off even with dogs!), so stick to the areas clearly marked as dog-friendly. Check with Auckland Council or look for the specific “Whakanewha Dog Loop” signs.
The Cascades are the highlight – a series of small waterfalls and swimming holes in a beautiful forest setting. The water is crystal clear and there are spots to cool off on hot days.
Sheltered swimming beaches with beautiful Pohutukawa trees (spectacular with red flowers in December-January). The southern Waiheke coast has a different feel from the northern beaches – more rugged and peaceful.
Mostly gravel and dirt tracks with well-formed steps. The distinctive orange Waiheke gravel on the steps makes them easy to navigate.
Can get muddy after rain – especially on some of the bush sections. Decent walking shoes or boots recommended.
Some steep sections but nothing too brutal, and the steps make it manageable. Gently graded overall.
Tree roots – watch your footing in places where roots cross the path.
Well-maintained – the care that’s gone into this park really shows. The tracks are in excellent condition.
Best seasons:
Best times of day:
Avoid:
At the car park:
Along the walk:
Nearby:
Poukaraka Flats is Waiheke’s only campground, set back from a sheltered swimming beach right in Whakanewha Regional Park. You’ll need to book ahead through Auckland Council. It’s a beautiful spot if you want to spend more time exploring the park.
Whakanewha means “to shade the eyes from the setting sun” in Te Reo Māori – referring to the epic sunsets you can catch here on the southern coast.
The park has deep significance to local iwi, with visible pā sites, terraces, and kumara pits showing centuries of Māori occupation and cultivation. The headland was fortified and used as a strategic site.
In the 1830s, European settlers used the area for boat-building and forestry, taking advantage of the sheltered bays and timber resources.
In the 1990s, local activists fought hard to save this forest and wetland from developers. Their success means we can now enjoy this beautiful regenerating bush. The restoration work continues, and the park is in excellent condition thanks to ongoing care.
Perfect for:
Not ideal for:
Fitness level needed: Moderate. You need to be comfortable with 2+ hours of walking including some hill climbs and steps, but nothing crazy steep.
Generally very safe walk, but keep these in mind:
Both the beaches in the park and the Cascades swimming holes are beautiful on a hot day. The beaches are sheltered and safe for swimming.
The picnic area under the Pohutukawa trees near the car park is perfect for a post-walk lunch.
The small community of Rocky Bay (Omiha) is nearby. It’s quiet and local – not much there but nice to see a different side of Waiheke.
About 15 minutes drive to Oneroa, Waiheke’s main town, where you’ll find heaps of cafes and restaurants. Good options for lunch or dinner after your walk.
The park has several other walking options if you want to explore more:
Pā Loop Track – 30 minutes easy walk to the pā site and beautiful beaches
Rua Loop Track – 30 minutes easy walk
Nikau Track – 2.5 hours through nikau palm forest
Park Walk – 2.5 hours (this is the main loop I’ve described above)
Whakanewha Dog Loop – For those with dogs (north of Gordons Road)
You can mix and match these to create longer or shorter walks depending on your time and energy.
If you enjoyed Whakanewha, here are my other Waiheke walks:
Onetangi Beach to Man O’ War Bay – Epic 14.3 km walk to Waiheke’s remote eastern end
Stony Batter Walkway – WWII tunnels and boulder fields
Church Bay Circuit – Pretty coastal circuit
Te Toki Reserve Loop – Native bush walk
Park Point Headland Loop – Clifftop views
Matiatia Owhanake Coastal Loop – Starts at the ferry terminal
See all my Waiheke Island walks
By Ferry from Auckland: Catch the Fullers360 ferry from downtown Auckland to Waiheke (40 minutes). Regular services throughout the day.
From Matiatia Ferry Terminal to Whakanewha: About 10 km. You can drive (15 minutes), take a taxi, or catch the Rocky Bay bus (Route 502).
By Car on Waiheke: Follow signs to Rocky Bay/Omiha. The Sculpture car park is on Gordons Road in Whakanewha Regional Park. Free parking.
By Bus: Rocky Bay bus (Route 502) from the ferry terminal. Get off at Omiha Memorial Hall and walk into the park (adds about 20 minutes).
Whakanewha is my favorite bush walk on Waiheke. While everyone else is hitting the wineries and northern beaches, you can have this beautiful forest pretty much to yourself, especially on weekdays.
The Cascades are gorgeous – definitely do that detour. The swimming holes are perfect on a hot day, and the puriri grove is stunning.
What I love most is how well the park has been looked after. The activists who saved it in the ’90s should be proud – the restoration work is impressive, and the tracks are in brilliant condition.
The bird life is a real highlight. If you’re patient and quiet, you’ll see heaps. I’ve spotted kererū several times, and the tūī are everywhere.
The only downside is if you have a dog – they’re not allowed on the main loop because of the dotterel protection, which is fair enough. There’s an alternative dog loop, but it’s not as good.
If you want a proper bush walk on Waiheke without the crowds, this is it. Way better than the touristy spots, and you’ll feel like you’ve actually escaped the city.
Done this walk? I’d love to hear what you thought – any good bird sightings? Did you do the Cascades?
Want more Waiheke walks? Check out all my Waiheke Island walks
Get mobile and visit multiple tracks without booking accommodation everywhere
