Last updated July 2026
Ambury Regional Park (also known as Te Ara i Tautahi / Ambury Farm) is a working farm and regional park on the Manukau Harbour foreshore in Māngere Bridge, approximately 15 kilometres south of Auckland’s CBD. Visitors can see and interact with farm animals including sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, goats and peacocks while enjoying short walks and coastal views. The park combines operational farmland with intertidal habitat that supports shorebirds, creating a distinctive experience among Auckland’s regional parks. Lamb feeding sessions for orphan lambs run seasonally in spring, and the site offers free entry with basic facilities for picnics and family visits.
Practical Information
| Location | End of Ambury Road, Māngere Bridge, Auckland |
| Entry | Free; open 24 hours for pedestrian access (gates may have daylight saving hours) |
| Size | 85 hectares |
| Animals | Sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, goats, peacocks (working farm) |
| Lamb Feeding | Early August to end of September (while orphan lambs available); typically 8am and 4pm weekdays, plus noon on weekends |
| Facilities | Toilets, picnic areas, bookable sites and room hire, BBQs (electric and wood), car parking |
| Walks | Family Farm Walk (approx. 1 km, sealed, pram-friendly); Foreshore Walk (approx. 45 min loop); Lost Gardens Walk (approx. 1 km) |
| Dogs | Allowed on-leash only on the designated Ambury Farm loop road; prohibited elsewhere including animal areas and foreshore |
| Swimming | Not available or recommended (tidal mudflats of Manukau Harbour) |
About Ambury Regional Park
Ambury Regional Park functions as both a public park and an operational farm on low-lying volcanic land along the upper Manukau Harbour. Auckland Council maintains the working farm character, with animals forming a core part of the visitor experience rather than a separate attraction. The park covers 85 hectares and features basalt lava flows along the coast, providing habitat for migratory shorebirds such as godwits, oystercatchers and stilts.
The site offers views across the harbour toward the Waitākere Ranges and Rangitoto Island. In 2026 the park received the Māori name Te Ara i Tautahi, referencing a celestial pathway used by Waiohua ancestors for seasonal planting guidance, reflecting its cultural and farming significance.
Facilities support day visits with toilets, picnic areas and bookable group sites. The park remains smoke-free and rubbish-free, requiring visitors to take all waste away. It serves families, walkers and those interested in farm life and coastal birdwatching.
Walking Tracks
Three main short walks cover the park’s key areas. The Family Farm Walk is a sealed 1-kilometre loop around animal enclosures, suitable for prams and wheelchairs. The Foreshore Walk forms a loop across pasture to the harbour edge, taking about 45 minutes with coastal views. The Lost Gardens Walk follows a rougher 1-kilometre path through overgrown sections and historic stone mounds, better suited to mountain buggies than standard prams.
Lamb Feeding
Orphan lamb feeding sessions occur from early August to the end of September while lambs are available. Typical times are 8am and 4pm on weekdays, with an additional noon session on weekends. Visitors should arrive early during busy periods such as school holidays, as sessions draw crowds. New lambs appear from mid-July, but entry into lamb paddocks is not permitted.
Swimming at Ambury Regional Park
Swimming is not available or recommended at Ambury Regional Park. The foreshore consists of tidal mudflats typical of the upper Manukau Harbour, with no designated safe swimming beaches or facilities. Visitors seeking water activities should consider other Auckland locations with suitable conditions and water quality monitoring.
What Visitors Often Say
Families enjoy the free access to a genuine working farm with animals close to enclosures and the chance to watch seasonal lamb feeding. The short walks provide harbour views and birdwatching opportunities without requiring long hikes.
Reviewers describe it as an underrated spot combining real farm animals in paddocks with coastal scenery and shorebirds, noting the relaxed atmosphere and suitability for children.
Where to Learn More
Auckland Council – Te Ara i Tautahi / Ambury Regional Park: Official page with current facilities, maps, booking details and seasonal updates.
Wikipedia – Ambury Regional Park: Overview of geography, history and biodiversity with references to primary sources.
Auckland NZ – Ambury Regional Park: Visitor information on activities and access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ambury Regional Park free?
Yes, entry is free with no booking required for general visits. Some picnic sites and the felt room can be booked in advance.
When is lamb feeding at Ambury Regional Park?
Sessions run early August to end of September while orphan lambs are available, typically at 8am and 4pm weekdays plus noon on weekends. Check the Auckland Council page for current status.
Are dogs allowed at Ambury Regional Park?
Dogs are permitted on-leash only on the designated Ambury Farm loop road. They are prohibited in animal areas, on the foreshore and in most other parts of the park.
How do I get to Ambury Regional Park?
Drive via SH20 and Coronation Road or Ambury Road to the end in Māngere Bridge, about 15 km and 20–25 minutes from central Auckland. Parking is available on site.
Can I swim at Ambury Regional Park?
No. The Manukau Harbour foreshore features tidal mudflats unsuitable for swimming. No beaches or water access points are designated for this activity.
What is the new Māori name for the park?
The park is now also known as Te Ara i Tautahi / Ambury Regional Park, gifted in 2026 to reflect its farming and cultural heritage.
Are there wheelchair-accessible paths?
The Family Farm Walk is sealed and suitable for wheelchairs and prams. Other tracks have varying surfaces and may not be fully accessible.
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