Auckland has a range of parks and reserves open to the public, each unique in their own way. This is a guide to some of Auckland's most recognised parks and reserves, which you can leisurely enjoy seven days a week, all year round. Many parks offer camping facilities in remote locations which must be booked in advance.

Ambury Regional Park

Ambury is a working farm, education centre and birdwatchers paradise located on the shores of the Manukau Harbour. The Park sits atop ash-covered lava flows, and stone mounds mark pre-European gardening sites.  Walk through the grassy lanes and check out the farmyard animals and the remants of the Ambury Milk Company, of which the park is named after.

Awhitu Regional Park

A pleasant country drive through the township of Waiuku and 33 kilometres beyond leads to peaceful Awhitu on the southwest shores of the Manukau Harbour. Wander freely over parkland pastures, explore the wetlands, enjoy the safe, sandy beaches and sheltered picnic/barbecue areas.

Auckland Domain

Officially Auckland's oldest park, the Auckland Domain is a large and spacious park situated in central Auckland. The park covers 75 hectares and like the majority of Auckland's parks and reserves, it is positioned on the site of an extinct volcano. The park has walking paths and hosts a range of sporting facilities. The Winter Gardens comprises two pavilions of native and exotic plants. The Domain is also home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Duck ponds, natural springs and century-old trees make the Domain a popular picnic spot.

Duder Regional Park

This park is located on the pohutukawa tree-fringed Whakakaiwhara Peninsula, which juts out into the Tamaki Strait. Visitors may feel like they are on their own island as they enjoy the 360 degree views extending to the Maraetai hills, the Hunua Ranges, and Hauraki Gulf islands. The Park is perfect for walking, horse riding (by permit only), mountain biking, orienteering, fishing and swimming.

Goat Island Marine Reserve

Goat Island - New Zealand’s first marine reserve - is a great place to spend a day in the outdoors with friends and family. At Goat Island you will discover an abundance of New Zealand marine life and enjoy the experience of being surrounded by schools of playful fish as you swim, snorkel or dive.

Huia, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park

Huia is a quiet bush-clad settlement by the Manukau Harbour with tidal beaches, picnic spots, forest walks and campsites. A steep drive on an unsealed road leads to Whatipu, an untamed west coast surf beach on the northern side of the notorious entrance to the harbour (see below).

Hunua Ranges Regional Park

These bush-clad ranges with streams, waterfalls and magnificent vistas offer a natural playground less than an hour's drive from Auckland. The park is the largest native forest in the Auckland region, and is perfect for tramping and mountain biking.  The Ranges are home to a wide range of native species, and is home to Auckland's only mainland population of the rare kokako, and a refuge for the native Hochstetter's frog.

Long Bay Regional Park

Long Bay, Auckland’s busiest seaside park, protects the most northern of the east coast Bays and lies adjacent to the Long Bay Okura Marine Reserve. Visit the environment centre near the beach to learn more about the reserve. This park is a popular setting for group events, and offers safe swimming.

Mahurangi Regional Park

The park protects three peninsulas at the mouth of the historic and picturesque Mahurangi Harbour in the north of the Auckland region. Mahurangi West lies across the Puhoi River, north of Wenderholm, and extends along Te Muri Beach to Sullivan's Bay and Mita Bay. It features pasture, wetlands and bush-clad headlands.

Scandrett Regional Park

Perched on the north east tip of the Mahurangi Peninsula, Scandrett Regional Park encompasses Mullet Point and includes regenerating coastal forest, rocky headlands that protrude into Kawau Bay, an attractive beach and a precinct of historic farm buildings.

Shakespear Open Sanctuary

From 1 July until approximately mid December most of Shakespear Regional Park will be closed to the public while a pest eradication programme is carried out behind the pest proof fence; to create an open and accessible wildlife sanctuary integrated with recreation and farming, similar to Tawharanui Regional Park.  This programme will include three aerial applications of poison bait, brodifacoum, in pellet form, within the open sanctuary.  The duration of the park closure is operationally weather dependent and details of a proposed reopening date will be posted on the Auckland Council event calendar and website closer to the reopening. The parkland west of the fence, between Okoromai and Army Bays will remain open except on the operational flying days. If you would like further information about this programme please refer to the council website www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/regionalparks> or email opensanctuary@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Tawharanui Regional Park

An open sanctuary or 'mainland island' protected by a predator-proof fence, Tawharanui straddles the Takatu Peninsula east of Warkworth. Pastures fall away to rugged cliffs, shingled bays and white sand beaches. On the northern coast is an offshore marine protected area.

Waitakere Ranges Regional Park

Waitakere Ranges Regional Park covers more than 16,000 hectares of native forest and coastline. The park includes 250 kilometres of walking and tramping tracks, beaches, breathtaking vistas, spectacular rocky outcrops, waterfalls and cliffs overlooking the wild west coast.

Wenderholm Regional Park

At the picturesque mouth of the Puhoi River, surrounded by forested headlands, is Wenderholm. Auckland's first regional park, Wenderholm contains one of Auckland's best examples of mainland coastal forest. There is a safe swimming beach and you can picnic under the magnificent Pohutukawa trees.

Whatipu, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park

The Whatipu area is a scientific reserve. It is a spectacular area of coastal dunes and wetlands. It is also the breeding ground for endangered species such as the New Zealand Dotterel.