The Hunua Ranges Regional Park is Auckland’s largest and least-visited regional park — a 25,000-hectare expanse of native forest and regenerating bush about one hour south-east of the city centre. Most Aucklanders know Hunua Falls as a swimming spot, but the park has a full network of walking and mountain biking tracks through dense kauri and mixed podocarp forest that sees far fewer visitors than the Waitakeres. It’s a solid day out for anyone wanting bush walking, a waterfall swim or mountain biking within easy reach of Auckland.
Practical Information
| Distance from Auckland CBD | Approximately 1 hour by car (via SH1 south then Hunua Road) |
| Main attraction | Hunua Falls — 30-metre waterfall with swimming hole |
| Falls walk time | 20 minutes return from carpark |
| Longer walks | Cossey-Massey Loop (5 hrs), Hunua Suspension Bridge Track |
| Mountain biking | 5 dedicated MTB tracks |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Kauri dieback | Biosecurity stations at trailheads — cleaning footwear mandatory |
| Managed by | Auckland Council |
Hunua Falls
Hunua Falls is a 30-metre waterfall on the Wairoa River and is the park’s most popular attraction. A short 20-minute return walk from the Hunua Falls carpark leads to the base of the falls, where a swimming hole sits at the foot of the cascade. The water is cold year-round — refreshing on a summer day but bracingly cold the rest of the year. The falls are surrounded by dense bush including large kahikatea and tawa, and the track is well formed and suitable for most ages.
Longer Walking Tracks
The Cossey-Massey Loop is a full-day circuit through the heart of the ranges, taking approximately 5 hours and passing through regenerating kauri forest, past the Cossey Reservoir, and along ridgelines with views across the Manukau lowlands. The Hunua Suspension Bridge Track is a shorter option that crosses a swing bridge over the Wairoa River gorge — a good choice for half a day.
The ranges contain some of the oldest kauri trees surviving in the Auckland region. Kauri dieback disease (Phytophthora agathidicida) is present in the park — biosecurity cleaning stations are at all major trailheads and footwear cleaning is mandatory to prevent spreading the disease between areas.
Mountain Biking
The Hunua Ranges have 5 purpose-built mountain biking tracks ranging from beginner to intermediate. The trails run through native bush and offer a different experience to the more crowded MTB networks closer to Auckland. Parking is available at the Hunua Falls carpark and at the dedicated MTB carpark on Hunua Road.
What Visitors Say
“Hunua Falls is beautiful and the swimming hole is deep and clear. The walk is easy enough that we took the kids. Much less crowded than Karekare or Piha — one of Auckland’s underrated spots.”
— TripAdvisor review, Hunua Falls
“Did the Cossey-Massey loop on a weekday — saw almost no one for 5 hours. The kauri are huge in parts and the forest is dense and quiet. Completely different feel to the Waitakeres.”
— Google review
Where to Learn More
Auckland Council — Hunua Ranges Regional Park
Official park page with track maps, facilities, mountain biking and kauri dieback information.
Auckland NZ — Hunua Ranges Regional Park
Overview of the park from the official Auckland tourism site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are the Hunua Ranges from Auckland?
Approximately 1 hour by car from the Auckland CBD, heading south on SH1 then east via Papakura and Hunua Road.
Can I swim at Hunua Falls?
Yes — there’s a swimming hole at the base of the falls. The water is cold but clean. The short walk from the carpark takes about 20 minutes return.
What is the best walk in the Hunua Ranges?
The Cossey-Massey Loop is the most rewarding full-day walk (about 5 hours). For a shorter option, the Hunua Suspension Bridge Track gives a good taste of the forest in 2–3 hours.
Is kauri dieback a concern in the Hunua Ranges?
Yes — kauri dieback is present in the park. Clean footwear at all biosecurity stations before and after walking on any tracks near kauri trees.
Is there mountain biking in the Hunua Ranges?
Yes — 5 purpose-built MTB tracks ranging from beginner to intermediate. The trails are through native bush and tend to be less crowded than Auckland’s other MTB parks.
Is entry to the Hunua Ranges free?
Yes — entry to the park and all walking tracks is free.
Hunua Ranges is one of Auckland’s best Day Trips. Also south of Auckland: Awhitu Peninsula and Goat Island Marine Reserve.
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