Hūnua Ranges Regional Park: Hūnua Falls, Tracks & Camping

Overview

Hūnua Ranges Regional Park is the big bush playground of south-east Auckland, covering roughly 178 square kilometres. It protects the largest native forest in the Auckland region: bush-clad ranges cut by streams, with waterfalls and four large water-supply reservoirs (Cosseys, Wairoa, Mangatāwhiri and Mangatangi).

Most day visitors come for Hūnua Falls, a short walk from the car park. Trampers, mountain bikers and horse riders can spend days exploring the backcountry. Parts of the park continue into the Waikato region.

Getting there and opening hours

• Main entrance: Falls Road, Hūnua, for Hūnua Falls. Other areas are reached via Moumoukai Road (Wairoa, Cosseys) and the Mangatāwhiri valley.
• Vehicle gates: 6am–9pm during daylight saving and 6am–7pm the rest of the year
• Roads: The access roads are unsealed. Mangatangi Hill Road is a working Watercare road, so drive with care.

Closures and notices

Closures change often, so check the official park page for the current status before you go.

• The Hūnua Traverse (northern section) is closed on weekdays from 14 September 2026 for forestry works. The closure covers everything reached from Otau Mountain and Moumoukai Hill roads through to the Waterline and Keeney roads intersection. Some sections open at weekends and on public holidays. See the Hūnua Traverse website for the closure map.
• Cossey Access Track has a detour around a large slip near the top. The track is open, but use the signed road route.
• Kauri dieback: Large sections of the ranges are closed to protect kauri. Clean your gear at every hygiene station.

Walks and tracks

All four dams can be reached with a pram from their car parks. Most other walks aren't suitable for prams. The lower Hūnua Falls lookout involves a few steps.

Things to do

Horse riders have designated trails through the lower Mangatāwhiri valley. You'll need a horse-riding pass and must clean your gear at the Watercare gate. Trout fishing is possible on the Wairoa River below the falls; check the rules with angling clubs. Drones are not allowed anywhere in the park.

Dogs in the Hūnua Ranges

Dog rules depend on where you are:

• On a leash: The south-western tracks, including Pukapuka, Mangatangi Trig, Cossey Gorge, Wairoa–Cossey, Massey, Suspension Bridge and Wairoa Loop. Also the Hūnua Falls Loop Walk, the Hūnua Traverse, car parks, and shared roads such as Waterline, Workman and Repeater.
• Prohibited: Around all reservoirs; the Kōkako Management Area, including Kohukohunui, Ernie's, Mangatangi Ridge, Rata Ridge and Mine Road tracks; all campgrounds; mountain-bike-only tracks; and farm paddocks during lambing (1 July to 30 November).

Camping and places to stay

Hūnua has five bookable campgrounds: Lower Mangatāwhiri, Upper Mangatāwhiri, Mangatangi Trig, Piggott's and Repeater. There's also overnight vehicle parking at Hūnua Falls and Upper Mangatāwhiri, including CSC areas. Kōkako Lodge, an outdoor education centre, takes group bookings through its own website.