Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To reach the secluded Green Campsite, on the western shore of the harbour, follow
Old
Mill Track
, signposted at the junction. It's an easy 15-minute walk to the grassy meadow,
where the DOC camping ground offers a view of the harbour, a shelter, sinks, display panels
and toilets.
From the campsite, a rough track continues west, climbing steeply over two ridges to
reach the site of the
Kauri Timber Company sawmill
, the largest in the southern hemi-
sphere in 1910. Today, all that remains are the concrete foundations, some pilings, and an
old steam traction engine.
At low tide you can continue around the shore of a small bay for 30 minutes to the ruins
of an old
whaling station
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Hillary Trail
Duration
4 days
Distance
75km (46.6 miles)
Track Standard
Tramping track
Difficulty
Moderate to demanding
Start
Arataki Visitor Centre
End
Muriwai Beach
Nearest Town
Auckland (
Click here
)
Transport
Bus, train, private transport
Summary
Opened in 2010 in the name of NZ's most famous mountaineer, this trail tra-
verses the rugged Waitakere Ranges, offering a multiday wilderness tramp on the doorstep
of Auckland.
Bordering Auckland's wild west coast is the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, a largely
rugged and remote wilderness surprisingly close to NZ's largest city. The gateway to the
Waitakere Ranges, Arataki Visitor Centre, is only 25km from downtown Auckland.
Managed by the Auckland Council, the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park is one of the
most popular wilderness areas in the country. Each year it attracts more than one million
visitors to its rainforest, black-sand beaches and coastal settlements.
