Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For bach and camping ground availability and bookings, contact either the Arataki Visitor
Centre or Auckland Council.
There are also plenty of private accommodation options along the way including lodges,
holiday parks, backpackers and B&Bs. These are listed on the Auckland Council website, or
enquire at the Arataki Visitor Centre.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The gateway to Waitakere Ranges Regional Park is 6km east of Titirangi, at the
Arataki Vis-
building, it features Maori carvings, interpretive displays, a theatre screening a video on the
Waitakere Ranges, and a shop that sells books and maps. Outside is a series of short nature
walks. Visitor centre staff can provide advice on tracks and planning your trail. Trail inform-
ation and bookings are also available in downtown Auckland at
Auckland Council
(
09-301 0101;
www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz;
off Aotea Sq;
7.30am-5pm Mon-Fri)
.
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Getting to/from the Tramp
The trail officially starts at the Arataki Visitor Centre on Scenic Dr. If you are catching pub-
lic transport to Titirangi, you can walk 6.6km from there to Arataki via Exhibition Dr and
the Beveridge Track. The trail can be started and finished at a number of points along the
way including Cascade Kauri and the Swanson Railway Station.
Titirangi and Swanson are well serviced by public transport, for which you should contact
an excellent trip-planning feature.
The Tramp
Day 1: Arataki Car Park to Karamatura Campground
4-5 HOURS, 11.5KM, 374M ASCENT, 570M DESCENT
Drop in to the Arataki Visitor Centre first to check on weather and track conditions, then
head for the big Hillary Trail information board next to the car park. From there, set out
along
Slip Track
, climbing through bush up a small hill to a clearing at the top. Detour a
minute or so to the lookout that has great views of the southern Waitakere Ranges and the
Manukau Harbour.
