Ambury Regional Park
Auckland
Gardens and Parks
The 45 minute 'Foreshore Walk' is a pleasant walk across open pasture and offers sweeping views over Maunkau Harbour.
Ambury Regional Park is situated 15 kilometres south of Auckland city on the shore of Manukau Harbour.
The park is actually a working farm, making it a great park for families. Children will enjoy seeing sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, goats, and peacocks. Lanes between the animal enclosures allow visitors to get up close to the animals. A number of picnic tables and BBQ facilities are available in a grassy area close to the main entrance.
Birdwatchers will be kept busy with 86 species identified to date including knots, godwits, wrybills, little shags, and white-faced herons.
Sitting on ash-covered lava flows deposited by the eruption of Mangere Mountain18,000 years ago, the park provides visitors with views across to Manukau Heads and the Waitakere Ranges. The Maori originally had a large fortified pa on Mangere Mountain and used the area now known as Ambury Regional Park for gardening and an access point to seafood and launching canoes.
Walks to enjoy the park include:
'Foreshore Walk'. 2km / 45 minutes. The loop walk crosses open pasture to the foreshore and is a pleasant walk overlooking the water.
Lost Gardens Walk. 1km. 25 minutes. A one-way walk to see the remnants of Maori stone mounds.
Farm Animal Walk. 1km / 45 minutes. A walk-through between animal enclosures and a chance to get up close to the animals.
The park also features a campsite with toilets and drinking water. Campers need to obtain a permit first and can do so by calling 09 366 2000 or visit www.arc.govt.nz.