Wenderholm Regional Park, Auckland Overview

The first regional park in Auckland, located right between Puhoi and Waiwera rivers, is the Wenderholm Regional Park. A well set out park, this attraction is spread over 134 hectares of land. It features a 2-kilometre walking track called Maungatauhoro Te Hikoi, the Couldrey House homestead, and a carved Pouwhenua, a wooden post used by Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. This place is open throughout the year, but it is best to do a humidity check before planning a visit.

The Wenderholm Regional Park is sanctioned as an ecological restoration project, and people often visit here to see the range of birdlife and scenic views that this place offers. Around 60 hectares of this park are kept aside for ecological experimentation, which stops livestock from repopulating, allowing the native species to be reintroduced and preserved in their natural habitat. Adequate planning has led to this park is one of the well-maintained regional parks in New Zealand. Therefore, this place is a must-visit for those who want a picnic and a sightseeing experience.

Things to Do

Visitors can take hikes or treks, especially along the Maungatauhoro Te Hikoi walking track or till the hilltop that is around 156 mt for a better view of Waiwera and Wenderholm.
Wildlife in this are Fernbird, Kaka, Banded rail, North Island Robin, Bellbird, Long-tail cuckoo, Red-crowned Parakeet, Blue Reef Heron, variable oystercatcher, and many other native species.
Visit the Couldrey House, a homestay that is within the area of the park. It is where Sir Robert Graham protected a number of native trees from being cut for timber.
Adventure at Wenderholm Regional Park includes kayaking, swimming, fishing, camping and boating.
There are a few spots in this park that are perfect for barbeques with a provided grill.
This location is ideal for outdoor games such as frisbee, volleyball, etc.
Eat at restaurants around this park.
Another option is to just walk by the shore of the river, picnic or simply relax at a spot in this park.

Places to Eat

A few places to eat near Wenderholm Regional Park are:
Sugarloaf Waiwera Beach and restaurant, Walnut Cottage Cafe and Kippers UK Seafood are eateries that are within 5 kilometres from Wenderholm Regional Park.
Cheek and Chong, Vino Orewa, Puhoi Valley Cafe and Cheese Store, Puhoi Pub Hotel and Stables est 1879, Thai Orewa, Cafe Puff, Alley Katz Cafe7, Hayami Japanese Restaurant, Puhoi Cottage Tea Rooms, Bolliwood Indian Restaurant in Orewa, Faridas Cafe Bar Restaurant and Icecream, Seaside Grill and Charlie Coco’s are a few that are within 10 kilometres from the regional park.
Cherry Cafe, Cafe Hibiscus, Chocolate Brown Cafe, Manly Bar and Grill, Cafe Manly, Maison Thai Food and Ransom Wines are restaurants that are more than 10 kilometres away from the attraction.

History

Wenderholm Regional Park was established in 1965 with around 134 hectares of land to walk on. The history of this park can be retraced to around 1000 years, during the Maori civilisation. Sir Robert Graham, the Auckland based politician took the initiative of protecting a number of ancient native trees in the area from being cut for timber purpose. The place where these trees were preserved is now called the Couldrey House within the vicinity of the park. Many of these historic trees were given to Sir Robert Graham as gifts by George Grey.

Today, Wenderholm Regional Park is well-maintained by the Auckland Council and has a residential artist called Nic Moon who is responsible for creating works including a few masterpiece trees that are displayed on this site.

Facilities

There are clean toilets in the vicinity of this park
This park can be used as a venue for big parties and private events.
There is a bus that takes visitors to and from Wenderholm Regional Park
Drinking water is available at this park
The park has its own beach house near the Puhoi Basin.
There is a small camping area in the vicinity of this park but it is only open for small buses and motor homes.
There is designated car parking outside the premises of the park.
Dogs or any other pets are not allowed.

How To Reach Wenderholm Regional Park

This attraction is located just a few kilometres away from Orewa.
The closest airport to Wenderholm Regional Park is Auckland International Airport (AKL). The distance between the two is around 68 kilometres and it would take around 1 hour 17 minutes by car if State Highway 1 is taken.
Visitors can take a cab, taxi or a shuttle from the airport.
The distance between Orewa to Wenderholm Regional Park is around 7 kilometres and it would take around 10 minutes by car if the Hibiscus Coast Highway is taken.
Local buses are also available at different locations in Orewa that take visitors to and from Wenderholm Regional Park.