Reviews of Arataki Visitor Centre. (Travel Agency) in Auckland (Auckland).

Arataki Visitor Centre

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396 Comments

Travel Agency

Tourist information center

300 Scenic Drive, Oratia, Waitakere 0604, New Zealand

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Description

Information of Arataki Visitor Centre, Travel Agency in Auckland (Auckland)

Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.

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Map

Open hours of Arataki Visitor Centre

Sunday

9am–5pm

Monday

9am–5pm

Tuesday

9am–5pm

Wednesday

9am–5pm

Thursday

9am–5pm

Friday

9am–5pm

Saturday

9am–5pm

Popular times

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Reviews of Arataki Visitor Centre

Take the kids up here regularly. We walk up from Parker road. The tracks are very well maintained and the center is a big hit with the little ones the views are just amazing and we saw a young man ask for her hand in marriage on the back observation deck one time. Toilets are standard and where ok when we went. There's an ice cream guy to the left of the center and we always get one then sit on the grass and eat them. The guides are knowledgeable and were looking forward to doing the pipeline track soon.. a must see for sure..

Beveridge Track was a great 1 hour walk. Downhill is easy but on the way back it gets a bit tough with uphill climb. However the walk is entirely covered with trees and bushes and so weren't that tired.

The Beveridge track (photos attached) can be accessed via the Arataki centre. Area is really well maintained, plenty of parking space and good facilities.

The staff here are super friendly and the views are amazing. There are several trails here to do from 30 minutes to an hour. There is also a small lookout boardwalk at the centre.

Arataki's breathtaking scenic view of whole of Auckland and amazing walk-through trail

The walk is nice, however, there is no clear direction signage on trails; and City Council maps don't show walking trails either. I was told that the Visitor Centre should have a better map for pick up, but we were there at 8 am while the Centre was open from 9 am. It would be cool, if there was a box with maps available outside working hours of the Visitor Centre. The trail down the gravel road was quite steep and slippery. You should be very careful not to injure yourselves, especially when it's wet.

A beautiful view, in a beautiful frame.🏞️ What more could you want? Oh yeah the Danish Delight right next to this view! 🍦

Great small day out. Enjoyable walks with school age children. Info center and shop, toilets on site. Ice cream shop also ($8 waffle with 2 scoops, cream and sauce). Spent about 2 hours all up here.

Beautiful, stunning, green, nature scenery 😍😍😍. Fun activities for the kids in the centre, great tracks. Loved it, awesome view.

A great place to be outdoors. Heaps of well groomed interconnecting trails with views and a bit of vertical challenge if you want it.

Absolutely beautiful. Native Bush everywhere. Gave her a 5 because of the view and if you're lucky enough to have you own guide is a plus. Take the family, they will love it.

Popped in here after 1 pm. Car park was full but inside the centre was very quiet. Observatory deck outside has a picturesque view. Small but clean public bathroom. interesting and informative stuffs are on display. Cozy resting area with a fantastic view from inside as well. Pretty hand made goods at the souvenir shop ( 25% off sale now). A must go with kids or seniors in Auckland.

It's basically a museum about the environment and ecosystem of native birds and trees of New Zealand. You can watch a short movie at the audio/visual theatre and it's free. The visitor center presents a range of displays detailing the history and geography of this well preserved forest. To visit the Waitakere ranges you must clean your shoes at the cleaning stations. It's a protocol to follow to get rid of termites from our shoes or clothes which can destroy the native Kauri trees. Enjoy the long walk around the forest with tall trees and canopy cover. The park rangers will help you on which tracks are allowed to walk and which are not. Immerse yourself with the beautiful views of the forest and harbour. This is a popular destination for hikers and campers. Camping is allowed here but you need a permit beforehand.

Went bushwalking here with my mates last Saturday morning after frustrations on so many trails that were closed around henderson valley but were not advised "closed" online. Even the Hillary trail was closed. But we had an enjoyable time walking Herr. Pretty nice doing the 2hour nature walk loop. Just an average difficulty, good enough for the walking ability of new trampers.

Always a great visit when in the mood for a shaded walk or even simply a good view point to clear your head. Love the visit centre itself and is a great place to take the kids for a little outdoor education.

Love the visitors centre. One of my favorite places to start my walk along the Hillary trails. Also might sound weird but very nice toilets. And bathrooms top notch

Amazing view of the places around. Visitor centre is so convenient and kids friendly with loads of info for kids. Great walk trails.

Fantastic walks here. Great views too

Alataki Visitor Center is the best starting point for all local attractions. It is only a 25-minute drive from Auckland. The have a lot of Maori sculptures ,there is a patron saint 11 meters high, and the carvings are breathtaking. Ascending to the top of the mountain, you can view of the forest and the ocean. I feel that every breath is refreshing.In addition, there is a lot of introductions about New Zealand’s natural history in the visitor center, beautiful corner for kids to play and it is worth taking the time to learn about the kauri 🌲 .inside there is a souvenir shop too.

Such a beautiful place. Its build with thoughtfulness and you walk away with information regarding the bush. the views are spectacular and the staff is helpful and friendly. A must visit place indeed for young and old

Fantastic place to visit, short drive out from Henderson and your rewarded with breathtaking views of the nearby dam and waitakere ranges. Multiple tracks start from the visitors center incl one bike trail on beveridge track. There are plenty of benches nearby which also makes it an ideal day out for a family picnic. Be sure to climb up the ramp to checkout the lookout point. Parking is available at the center or nearby on scenic drive. There is also specific vehicle parks for camping overnight.

Live bugs & geckos native to the Waitakeres, educational material on the area, and an excellent view looking southwards. Toilets, easy parking, a coffee cart (typically) & the start of some local tracks. Worth a visit.

A must-visit place. Lots of lovely views from all sides. Walkways where you get to experience nature in many ways. Informational boards along the way. Multiple activities inside. Separate children's corner with loads of activities. Variety of souvenirs available too. Coffee and yummy ice cream available. Plenty of comfortable places to sit, play and enjoy various activities. Board games available too. Toilets on first floor. Visitor center on second floor. Recommended for kids and families alike. Perfect place for taking pictures. They host some holiday programs and activities too. About 20 minutes' drive from West Auckland. The road is super winding and tricky but worth it.

Nice place to go for a walk. I've been there with my son on a school trip and it was great!

Nice well maintained tracks, we did like 10km walk at night. It was pretty cool.

Great staff and info about the tracks around.

The walk to the kauri cathedral was a challenge for me, as I'm unfit!! But worth it ! Would have liked to have known prior about the service lane being closed. Quite a few steps for someone with osteo. More signs would be helpful

We love Arataki Visitor Centre. It has the unique Maori design inside out. It's scenic, educational, informative and entertainment at the same time. Outside: Amble parking and spot for photo. Inside: The different areas with display show the history of Waitakere Range. Interactive Te Reo learning. Scientific and conservation info and display for the young minds. There are wooden board games available. There is a kids corner for younger children with educational toys. There are cushions and chairs. They even have a heater keeping the littlies warm. And that's so nice in the winter. There is an information counter with staff answering all your questions. The gift shop sells some arty crafty souvenirs. There is a vending machine selling drinks although the drinking fountain is available. Downstairs is the public toilets: male, female and disabled. You can go the the visitor centre using stairs or accessible pathway on the left. There is a telescope on the deck which has amazing views of the Lower Nihotupu Dam

Very interesting centre with amazing views. Has a great play area for kids.

This is an excellent visitor centre with everything you would expect, and superb views over the Waitakere Ranges and Manukau harbour. Highly recommended.

..... and you thought West Auckland had nothing to offer... Pretty impressive visitor's centre with kid- friendly activities, shared spaces to lounge about or read a book, beautiful views, cute lil gift shop. Definitely worth a stop.

Lovely place! Very scenic / therapeutic. Will bring the family back next time as today was for work purposes 😀

I love this spot! There is an easy board walk up to the visitor center with stunning views over the forest, down past a lake and over the ocean. Lots of lovely bush walks that can be done from there. The center itself is well maintained and filled with interesting educational exhibitions and artwork. They often have workshops/ arts and crafts for children hosted at the center.

Beautiful location, great views. Helpful on-site people with lots of resources around tracks and places to see in the area. Good parking and access.

What a stunning place! The Visitor's Center will get you up to speed with current and historical information about the Waitakere Ranges and the surrounding area and walking trails are beautiful. The tranquil environment calms the soul and bring one closer to nature. We done to the staff and the rest of the team who manage and maintain the facilities and environment.

Wonderful place for short and long bushwalks! Tracks are well labeled and special spots are marked to help visitors appreciate the plant life especially the great Kauri trees. Even kids and doggos will enjoy the tracks. Highly appreciate the shoe cleaning areas to help prevent Kauri dieback, the clean public toilets and water fountains in the area.

Very cool info center, like a little interactive museum, very fun for kids. Nice big decking areas to admire the views, with deck chairs and bean bags to lounge on. On the ground floor is a 12 minute info movie you can watch and toilets. Cute little dutch ice cream shop out in car park $7 for a dutch delight, (waffle cone, two scoops of ice cream, wiped cream and sauce). Friendly staff, very helpful, know alot about the area.

Awesome views need a covid pass to enter visitors center. Overall could stand there for hours

Don't have much beautiful views but children will really like the things inside the building like artificially made birds that can make sound when we press a button etc, like a little museum

Very informative... lots of souvenir choices to shop from. Views are breathtaking. Few walking treks as well which I enjoyed heaps.

Absolutely wonderful place to stop and vist

Staff are friendly and an awesome facility. Walks are well maintained and the views are amazing. 100% Recommend.

Aww this place is my kids favourite....heaos of parking and the staff are amazingly friendly. Its tidy and so informative with heaps of room and great views feom the different platforms

Beautiful, stunning view

Incredible views as you wind your way up the ramp to the visitor centre housing a gallery a souvenir shop and information about our native fauna and wildlife. with so many places to relax and soak up the peaceful surroundings

Very friendly staff. Saw me walk and specifically approached me to see if I needed any help or guidance about the area. The tracks there are a great walk for anyone really. No need to be exceptionally fit. You need a car to get there as the nearby roads aren't really suited for walking (although I did it). I believe there is a bus though.

Stunning views and an experience of New Zealand forest flora and fauna in an amazing dramatic building surrounded by native bush you can smell and touch along the wooden walkway surrounding the building. A must visit for New Zealanders and tourists alike. Cheers.

Absolutely beautiful, stunning scenery, the information center was outstanding providing an informative video, the view speaks for itself

Located in the Waitakere Ranges surrounded by beautiful native bush, fantastic information, souvenir shop, views of Auckland City and native bush.

It’s a nice information center it has gorgeous view also the stuff so nice.

Interesting and fabulous view, of Auckland down to Raglan on a fine day.

Beautiful views good place for a day out with kids to enjoy some forest trail with a cone of icecream.Multiple trails there a must visit place in Titirangi

I often come to this spot when visiting NZ... the views are just insanely gorgeous. The info and activities provided are very good considering it's all free. The art selection was actually really nice stuff!

This visitor center is more like a little museum. Lots to look at and discover. Awesome lookout areas and places to rest. Great photo spots too.

Well kept and well maintained. The scenery was exquisite ! Unfortunately owing to a land slip one observation deck was closed to public temporarily. Over all it was magnificent. Encourage our little tamaraki ( children) and Whanau to indulge in the little activites and relaxation there.

Accommodating, friendly, useful and beautiful place to visit all year round

A good place to start your visit the Waitakere region. The staff are very friendly. They can provide you with all the information to plan and book your visit. There is awesome view from the centre, and a great place to relax before continuing your journey. Also don't forget there is exhibits of native fish, insects and local art.

Great visitor centre. With very knowledgeable staff and awesome new Zealand made gift items. The birds are very realistic and the views from the decks are stunning

Extremely informative. Even though it is small it is a great stop and includes good centres for children as well as a gift shop and clean toilets.

A very beautiful visitors centre. A lot of information is provided, including maps of the area, even have stick insect and weta vivarium on display. Staff are very friendly and helpful to approach. There is also a small theatre area where you can watch a short video. Definitely worth a visit if you have not been, stop by on your way to the waitaks!

Was closed.. Lockdown but gorgeous place..

Only found this place by chance. Having spent the morning walking round Auckland this is certainly different! The views are magnificent! Interesting history and nature information in the centre with friendly and helpful staff. Of course there is an ice cream van in the car park!

Very nice facility with helpful staff. The views from the centre balconies are amazing. There are a lot of exhibits for the curious.

A wonderful and calming place. Great place to unwind from a stressful week from work.

Always a nice place to visit. Cool views and a place to ground yourself.

Beautiful view that you can see for miles out on a clear day. Informative information Centre. Take your tramping shoes and get going on the Hillary trail if you are up for it.

Great venue for a day long workshop. Beautiful location, friendly and helpful staff. Fully equipped kitchen, good heat pump. AV equipment a bit dated but fully functional and fit for purpose. We will definitely be going back here for another full day workshop.

Very cool views from the observation areas looking out over the bay. Couldn't quite see raglan the day we went but still cool. The information provided is well displayed and interesting for both kids and adults, and those adults with the attention span of a child. Not quite a full day out but definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

Must visit isite, play area for kids and museum, beautiful view 🤩

Beautiful starting point for treks through the Waitakere Ranges, except the main track is currently closed off due to Kauri dieback and renovations. There's still a good view of the reservoir at the Center and a short 45 min hike though. Can't wait till the full track is open again.

I love how New Zealand has been able to intertwine nature and culture into their society, preserving their history for future generations. Arataki is a wonderful example of this. Beautiful scenic views of the valley can be seen from the lookout and the Visitor's Centre captures some of the rich history of the area and people. Definitely worth the visit.

One must stop here. A place for us to get information on the forest, souvenir, stories related to rhe Maori people. They also have special lookout areas so you can appreciate the views.

Great place to take the children to view our beautiful Waitakere Ranges. The staff are amazing and so helpful. Bring food and drink for the children as there is no cafe but a great ice cream stall.

If your a photography, beautiful scenery, early hours of the morning is a great time before visitors arrive when the birds are chirping and flying around. Got some great shots of the landscape. Its worth a visit.

Lots of updating going on, but, as usual, fab friendly staff. Excellent lovely items in the shop.

Beautiful, amazing view! A must see if visiting Auckland!

Great views and walks. Short loop track with many plants named staff very helpful.

Some beautiful sights and some good walkways worth going on a nice weekend or after school

It's great now that some tracks like the slip track reopened. Beautiful views with a nice ice cream vender

It is nice place to visit, nice tracks for hiking.

Very nice place. Great couple of walks nearby

Starting point of Hillary trail. And delicious ice cream spot is there. You can have chocolate, strawberry or vanilla flavored ice creams for 8$ with toppings.

Beautiful views, there are chairs outdoors to enjoy the views. Very friendly and helpfull staff. Make sure to take a nature walk across the road (ask for a map at the reception). Mind that there are a few stairs to climb and no benches to rest along the way, but the effort is well worth it.

So stunning. If you have the time, stop and check it out. They had a lot of valuable information and trails. Best way to go is with a guide, but there are little labels to read as well.

I think Arataki is awesome. The rangers can share great information about the regional park and the visitors center has great displays about the history but what I love, love, love are the views from the veranda. Make sure you check out the video on the ground floor as well.

Great location! Beautiful views. Very informative information center and staff. Highly reccommend!

Tourist destination and a must visit place in Auckland NZ. Enough parking space. Do not forget to take picture with the beautiful scenic background picture frame. For an adventurous trekking in the Waitakere ranges, contact the information center.

What a beautiful spot to visit! A definite must see if you are in Auckland.

A great place to learn about the dams and its history, and the flora and fauna of NZ forestry. A nice walk through the bush too. The attendants/ shop assistances were friendly and knowledgeable. A great place to visit!

Pretty cool place! Got an awesome view and some long cushioned seats right along the windows. There's also a danish icecream truck just outside which is yummy too

Arataki is a must for visitors to Auckland. There are stunning views south across the Manukau harbor and inside there is a wealth of information about the wildlife, geography and history of this very wonderful sub tropical rain forest!

Wow amazing views and building and walks here

Beautiful area, helpful and friendly staff. Loved my trip here!

What amazing view, both from the location and from the road up and down the mountain

Wonderful place to visit our West Auckland

Are great way to start your trip before you go trekking . There was this wonderful lady inside that helped us get started and situated before we had it out on a track . They are super helpful !

Great place for adults and kids. Plenty of toys with nice ambience for the kids to enjoy it. Ice cream and coffee also just around the corner. The ranger here also extremely friendly and will come and say “Hi” to you. Highly recommended place to relax and enjoy the scenery.

A spectacular place to visit. Absolutely worth it!

It was closed went I got there but the views from the center are just amazing. So worth it to go there just for the views.

Awesome place to visit. Best view of west and Auckland

Free and no charge at all, good for relaxing with family. Enjoy the holiday here, got book, sitting area and good view for improve your mood. Please come here if you got time. 👍🏻

Great scenery good view of the different waters and history also some great icecream!

Great views of the Lower Nihotupu Reservoir From the outside decks.

Really nice walking tracks, great views, great cafe

A truely inspirational place. A must for visitors and locals alike

This is an amazing visitor centre! It has lots of information about many things, and it has beautiful photo taking areas, with breathtaking views. There is a great long walk that needs very fit people to walk down, because the track is quite steep.

Awesome place to check out! Excellent views!

Absolutely stunning views super friendly staff and the information center has plenty of history of the local area wildlife displays are amazing as well...

A must see for everyone. Amazing views of the stunning Waitakeres and so much information inside. There are many different viewing areas, some with bean bags and amazing loungers to relax in.

Lot of trail. Make sure you clean your shoes before and after walking the trail. The volunteer will warn you.

Pleasant views even though I didnt visit on the best day. The centre is well built and very knowledgeable staff. Impressed

Friendly and helpful staff. Good range of information available.

Excellent information center interesting short loop walk for young children.

Absolute favorite place to go. The views are beyond gorgeous. The visitor center is great for the whole family with children actives. Plenty of parking, take a picnic and enjoy nature

The best park in west Auckland!

Cute little place, tons of great views and history to explore. Gates close around sunset depending on the season so be aware.

Gigantic entrance .. full of details.. photos. History.. BTW please don't forget to watch a 11 min video of Awe inspiring waitakere ranges at the hall .

Please adhere to the prompts along the track and do enjoy the visitors center...

Absolutely beautiful, with beanbags for visitors to relax while admiring the view.

Great views, Friendly staff, and so much on showcase to learn about New Zealand and it's forests.

Excellent educational native bush and historical dispays. Fantastic views. Excellent helpful staff and gift shop. Large carpark. Open balconies or comfy indoor spaces.

Loved it here. Had a peaceful vibe despite being a bit busy. Also had a tourist area for buying souvenirs. Aloha😁

Probably one of the best visitors centres in NZ, lots of areas to relax and enjoy the stunning views. Staff are very friendly. Kids have activities to participate and play with.

Stunning spot for visitors centre. Very modern. Needs a cafe though. Great views

Enjoyed the walk here and another trail right by the visitors center. Great exhibits to check out inside. Spectacular views from the decks!

The view is amazing.must see

Lovely scenic views 360

Must visit. Lots of walking tracks around too.

Nice place. Awesome views. Easy access ramps. Small and beautiful visitor centre showing the Waitakere ranges flora and fauna. Edit April 2018 - The nice little interactive museum is a great place for the kids (adults too) to experience and learn about the local flora and fauna. The ramp to the lookout for viewing the Waitakere ranges is wheelchair accessible. The lookout inside the museum does have a telescope installed for finer viewings. Well recommended.

This place was amazing, been in Auckland 20 years ad only just found this hidden gem. The lookouts are fantastic, a great shop and danish ice creams on site. Good for kids (big and small) with a lot of interactive displays. Great souvenir shop and local artwork is available. Highly recommended

Enjoy the view above forest at West Auckland.

A good place to take a rest on the scenic drive where you can enjoy panoramic scenery

Great place to stop and check out the amazing variety of activities to do out west. Several short Bush walks nearby. Staff are knowledgeable and keen to help. Great souvenir shop too. Even if you just stop to take a photo of the stunning view or to have a Danish delight ice cream! Occasionally have activities on for kids too (during holidays)

Amazing views, friendly helpful staff and a beautiful place to explore.

Such a great visitor centre with lots of short and long hikes. Spectacular view from its balconies and many attractions for the kids inside.

I go here quite a few times in a year over the last 10 years and it's gotten better and better. The views from the decks are outstanding and the educational activities really interesting. Do not go pass the video screening on the ground floor as it shows amazing footage of waitakere!

Lovely bush walks - short ones and long ones. Amazing souvenir store and awesome knowledgeable staff. Neat native critters to look at and wonderful heritage info. Bring a picnic to eat in their park. Thanks for the great day.

Great place to learn about nature and Māori connection to the world. Awesome facility and great upkeep on maintainence. Friendly staff who are always helpful in making you welcome to the centre. Take a walk on the tracks, watch the informative DVD or simply relax in the observation deck. Great activities to do for the little ones and the big kidults!

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Breathtaking views, nice tracks, awesome indoors space with many fun and educating things for kids. Happy to come again and again

Breathtaking views of Auckland . Good information center and activity center , mostly for kids. A good spot to take some beautiful pictures. Please please please don't miss the waffle cone ice cream truck in the car park. They are the best.

Soo beautiful calm and serene. Great View of the sea from the ranges . Wonderful spot to spend time with your grandkids. One can spend hours here teaching children about nature in a playful way. I love it and I am a regular visitor with my granddaughter. All this for free.

Very beautiful spot with great views.

The good place to start your tour of the area very knowledgeable staff and helpful

Fantastic visitor Centre. Lots of great info and a really good Shop. Boardwalks around the shop with incredible views. Some lovely bush walks you can take around the shop too.

Its super nice up here. Think its a freedom camp site as well. Would give it a five star, but the actual visitor centre was closed when we went.

Visitor centre not worth much of a stop - but the scenery from the lookouts is worth it

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Good maps for short walks in the area. Discovered quite a few options I didn't know existed to try and avoid more crowded locations at peak times. Ask about routes best suited for mobility, children and carparking. Even though we're local I'm glad we bothered to check.

Beautiful views and lovely educational building

very nice nature view

Great place to make beautiful photos as scenery is amazing. Right next to the center Danish Delight ice creams and shakes are a must after checking out what visitor center offers. Center offers heaps of brochures with various places in NZ to see so anyone can find something for themselves

The staff are amazing. They are so happy and helpful with recommendations. Then they went above and beyond. After getting my hikes all set, went to the ladies room and left my purse with my passport, drivers license, and credit cards. Didn’t realize it till I got to Piha Beach. Called them. They picked up immediately, had the purse, checked my documents were there and held till I got back. I was really annoyed with myself. Last day in NZ from the USA and I had to add a 1 hour round trip for my mistake. The staff were so empathetic and gave ma a box of candies and a hug to help my day go better. How sweet is that? Definitely stop in. The hikes they recommended and the dining were excellent. They love what they do and Kiwi Spirit is alive and well! Thank you!!!

I was pleasantly surprised at how amazing this visitor centre is, not just your standard iSite and gift shop, but activities for kids, a cafe, gorgeous views, gekos, information and interactive displays about local wildlife, it was an iSite mixed with museum and exceeded expectations.

This Visitor Centre has a lot to offer such as family outings cafeteria is there activities are there even you can take your own food and enjoy on the huge outlook deck ,bean bags are there to shift and suit your view. Please visit the highest point of the area and enjoy the facilities provided by our lovely Council .you will never regret the visit as you will enjoy your meal with the view & environment. Trust me you will love it.

Very nice Arataki cultural center

Friendly staff, knowledgeable on walking tracks

Informative, quaint, clean. And stunning views!

Highly recommend this place is a hidden treasure i really enjoyed myself here and enrolled my son into a one day school holiday program and he loved it can't wait to come back and go on a bush walk

Loved this place, awesome views and things for the kids to do and learn. Nice friendly helpful staff.

Stunning views, drive was comfortable and nice place to spend some time and take pics. The video played downstairs was also great. Free of cost so its worth the visit. If you like the walk through the ranges you would like it more.

Stayed here overnight in the SC areas. Arrived after visitors centre was closed (but before 7pm when gates close) so had to book online- somewhat difficult to navigate the council website to pay but got there in the end. Toilets clean and open all night. Beautiful views to enjoy breakfast to!

Got there a it later than expected. There was about 6 min till closing but they wouldn't let us watch he video which was unfortunate. Otherwise is a great place to visit. Love the bird sounds section where you can hear the sound of some of the popular birds.

The best place in the beautiful Waitakere ranges to learn about the history and experience nature in a special way.

Really great area. A definitely recommended place to visit for tourists. Great views, accessible and worth visiting if nearby

It was good. There is a beautiful viewpoint on the way. Plus you can expect a good hike when you take both the upper and lower loop

Great place and really helpful staff.

Absolute gem! The building itself is stunning, the views are to die for.

Beautiful gifts in the gift shop plus an amazing space upstairs to view the majestic views and to sit and enjoy some tranquillity, as well as learn a bit about Auckland heritage. I liked the kids play area as well.

phantastic information. take your time and pop in. Each age will find a lot of interesting things

Such a great visitor centre with lots of short and long hikes. Spectacular view from its balconies and many attractions for the kids inside.

This is a fantastic information centre. Its worth stopping by every time.

Amazing view. Nice selection of information and souvenirs

Amazing views, friendly helpful staff and a beautiful place to explore.

Beautiful beyond words

Awesome place for hiking..

Fantastic visitor Centre. Lots of great info and a really good Shop. Boardwalks around the shop with incredible views. Some lovely bush walks you can take around the shop too.

Stunning place. Great for the family and tourists.

Highly recommend this place is a hidden treasure i really enjoyed myself here and enrolled my son into a one day school holiday program and he loved it can't wait to come back and go on a bush walk

Great walk, enjoy the views

Hidden gem! Very scenic views and interesting displays inside. Lots to learn.

An amazing place for trampers, young families, tourists etc. The information centre is excellent, the views are amazing and the walks here are varied. Some only an hour others link to longer walks and can stretch over days. Beautiful ice creams from a vendor outside.

Great place for a forest walk

Been here several times now, and always a great experience! From the awesome staff, to the incredible views, it's absolutely amazing! So many learning opportunities for everyone from toddlers to older adults and everyone in between...

Always good. Great views of Auckland and the Waitakeres. Looks like they are renovating so half the visitor centre and the back decks were closed.

Probably the best-kept secret in Auckland

Beautifully presented great to see the Maori lady as kaitiaki of such ataahua Taonga she was very pleasant and helpful with a greeting and farewell keep up the great work. Kia ora

Stunning view. Great help and advice from employees there. Good little walk close by that is suitable for toddlers from 2 up. No cafe, but bring some snacks it indulge in some ice cream and admire the view.

A place to be in an environment where man cannot create or recreate..

Great place to visit to see what treks are on offer around the Waitakeres (there are plenty of them from short walks to the longer hikes for seasoned trampers.) The Views are awesome & so too are the ice creams. There is plenty of interactive activity for the kids to observe from toddlers to older children. Educational, entertaining and fun place to stop by.

Loved this visitor center and the nature trails at it's location! The views were amazing with well maintained trails. The staff inside the center go above and beyond to answer any questions you might have. Make the effort to get to this beautiful site!

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Enjoyed the breathtaking view and nature trail surrounding the center. The staff at the center were all very friendly and helpful. Would love to visit again!

Great pace to freedom camp overnight great views

Beautiful scenery and staff are very helpful. I find new places to explore or learn something new everytime I visit. Have come here with only one person and with a big group - still makes it a nice trip! It's sad that so many routes are closed due to Kauri dieback though, I would love to explore those paths once they are opened again.

Take my kids here all the time. Short film was very interesting to watch and have a few times. Loved the huge connect 4 there. Always something great to look at.

Awesome place to take visitors to. Beautiful views of Auckland cbd and the manukau harbour. Lovely ladies parker rangers always eager to help. I have come many times and will keep on coming.

The view is stunning!

Lots of people on holiday up there, so were the people at the Arataki Visitor Centre, so didn't get a chance to visit the Visitor centre. It was New Years Day so fair enough. Although it was a bit late, it could've been open. A guy was just closing up selling Danish icecream. Would visit again.

Fabulous views across the manukau harbor and back towards the City towards the east. Across from Mt Mangere, Puketutu, Stonefields including the Hinua's Bombay hills, pukekohe surrounds and Glenbrook in the distance. The views are spectacular. Gorgeous sunsets across the vista with on site parking with clean bathrooms, Nature walks and local history/nature attractions. Danish icecream waffle cones are a decadent treat big enough to satisfy two with cheeky delight. The slip track round trip is a decent distance so take water and a snack. Check the weather, the whilst well maintained has some steep section so can get slippery. Allow at least 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on fitness. It is a good walk through bush track and wide service roads with lots of West Auckland bird life. Check which tracks are open and please respect the track Rahui for Kauri dieback. It is well worth the visit.

This is a nice place to visit with your friends or family. They have all facilities which you possibly might need there. Moreover, I can not forget to mention the outstanding view. Nice place to visit for 100%.

Fantastic, educational, spiritual experience, beautiful views of Waitakere Ranges & dam. The kids enjoyed the learning experience of NZ native birdlife & trees. Activities like colouring in, puppet show, dress up in traditional Maori clothing. Knowledgable staff who informed me of the tracks I can explore in Waitakere ranges & along West Coast beaches.

Very interesting with spectacular views from the deck. Well set up for young kids, with enough to keep them occupied for an hour or so. The nature walk is an essential introduction to the Waitākere Ranges. Also the start of the multi-day Hillary Trail.

This is a really nice place. Because you can see the whole Auckland from the lookout and it is also a great place to tramping. Especially the scenery is beautiful.

Great walk for the family. There are quite a few stairs if you go down to the Kauri Cathedral but well worth it.

Beautiful views around the visitor center and some really cool souvenirs. The views are worth the trip and you can see some of the silver leaf ferns that are native to New Zealand. There are some very interesting statues at the visitor center to be aware of.

Beautiful, stunning views Friendly, knowledable and helpful ranger staff Cultural and well labeled in both Maori and English Clean facilities

Great viewing platform looking out over the Waitakere ranges. Check out the quaint souvenir store there are activities to keep your young ones entertained. When you've had enough you can go outside & grab an Danish Icecream 😁

Lovely day out as always. The visitor centre is very pleasant and well maintained. The kids corner is full of activities for the littlies and comfy bean bags!! The decks have breathtaking views of the surrounding areas. Nice place for some quiet contemplation when it's not busy. A few of the walks around are closed off due to Kauri Dieback and maintenance but there are others around that are open.

Very informative about the area even more so about this fragile part of nature.

I love this small museum because has a lot of information and unbreathable view.

Beautifully presented and maintained visitor centre. Brilliant views and a nice spot to have some food. Basic food and drink available. Views are stunning, Well worth a stop off on your way.

Peaceful place with fantastic view! Much of learning materials around too.

Very helpful friendly staff, beautifull view, comfortable seats (They have bean bags, too), great local-artist-featured gallery, interactive information of Waitakere ranges And Of course! yummy natural ingredient ice cream!! What else do you need???? My No.1 local weekend destination💚

Great views! Free seats and bean bags to relax and enjoy the view, and everything is very well maintained! Nice little shop selling milkshakes and ice cream..

Wow awesome place to educate yourself on different plant species, great for beginners and advanced people fitness wise, staff are very informative well done!!! Rock on

Great place to take the children to learn about our beautiful fauna and wildlife

Loved it! The nature and serenity of Waitakere ranges is what makes Auckland a very special place . Imagine living in a city with a big forest as your very own backyard.

awesome place to take the kids

Very good place to visit.

This was an interesting place to learn more about Auckland and history of New Zealand. There were also good views of the area from hete. Short visit but interesting.

Stunning place. Great for the family and tourists.

Great little bushwalks nearby suitable for kids. Info centre had so much more than we expected, including kids activities and a gift shop. Stunning views too.

Gorgeous view from the centre building and viewing platform to the ocean. Nice souvenirs they have. Staff are friendly, get your souvenirs there to support the local conservations.

Great views of the ranges and the Manukau harbour. The information centre is a good starting point for trips out west. The facility is modern and the staff is very friendly. Good for kids too.

Great place to visit and walk too.

Peaceful place Enjoyed my visit

The staff was helpful in figuring which part of the Hillary Track to take for our Sunday bush walk. There are a number of tracks which wind through the Waitakeres depending on your preferences. You can bring your dog for an on lead walk. Also features an educational center for the kids and a gift shop as well. For those nut looking for a walk there is a platform with a great view.

Wonderful views, and sounds interesting and lovely items in the gift shop. Handy to have the brochures about things to do in west Auckland and walks that can be done.

Great place dor all trail and forest information for the Waitakere ranges. Staff are always friendly and there are always great views, great books and great things to see there. Highly recommended as a tourist attraction too.

A bit further out towards the edge of Auckland,but well worth taking the time to see. Spectacular views over the Waitakeres,plus the probably the best information centre you will ever visit.

Beautiful place with scenic views and walk.

Such an incredible place to take kids! Great views too

I can relax here all day enjoying the beautiful view 😍

Beautifully kept grounds, idyllic setting, lovely Bush tracks. Full support information office and Rangers on site. Huge car parking area, clean restrooms.

The staff here are very friendly and keen to help you. They will guide you to the open tracks and encourage you to provide feedback to the council on the proposed plan for the regional park. However that this is still open is very disappointing, as the only hope for addressing Kauri dieback is to prevent all people from accessing the park.

Fabulous place, must visit, who loves walking. Mind-blowing views.

Great information source for this fabulous park with really nice views. Very friendly staff that seem to be happy to help. They run a video tour of the park every 30 minutes

A lovely place to wander round with amazing valley and distant coast views. The centre is free and has a gift shop, but no restaurant that I could see. It's filled with exhibits and other information.

Beautiful bushland and views. Walk to the lookout and then have a Danish Delight ice-cream.

The best visitor centre.few look out point around the building, very beautiful designed building, every single window is a beautiful picture .visitors can stay at the decks, looking view, relaxing. I love it.

My American friends loved it as they got a great view, even thou it was in winter, windy and cold it was a clear day and could see all land marks on the map on the second floor of the visitor centre.

Whether you live in Auckland or just visiting, don’t forget to pay visit here. You ll feel peace, tranquility and calmness here. The ice cream man is super friendly

Everything about it was Beautiful even the little ice cream & coffee shop, the mother & daughter service was Absolutely superb. Thank you!🍦🍦☕☕📸📸👍👍👏👏

Such a beautiful place... Some of the best of the West

Great pleasure to visit Arataki, also appealing to kids. Lovely shop. Stunning views. Wonderfully made explanatory signs.

Park rangers were incredibly friendly and helpful. Beautiful bush walks and local drives. We loved learning about the local fauna and flora at the vistor centre, too.

Great visitor center. Lots of things to interact with, friendly staff and nice little shop. The views are amazing and definitely worth a stop.

Awesome place for hiking..

Good views , very informative .

Great views and nice info about the fona and flora

This symbolises the famous soft drink produced in NZ and has become a must visit monument for tourists passing through the region.

Parts of the centre are closed but the view is incredible! Had wetas and geckos to look at also. Best saved for a nice day!

Best place to be to get all the information you need for a hike in the greens (rain forest/ Waitakere ranges). They have good selection of nz souvenirs, and beautiful views to Auckland.

One of the best places in Auckland to learn about and discover our unique natural taonga

Great place to start daily or longer hikes like the hillary trail over the weekend :) Next to it is a awesome ice cream shop which sells delicious ice cream in self baked cones - one of the best ones i had in new zealand ;)

This is the gateway to enjoying the Waitakere regional park. You can see great views to the south and west, and enjoy the canopy surrounding the site. The kauri die back has closed many tracks, but the loop from slip track and across to Beveridge is diverse and a good 2 hour walk. The Danish waffle ice cream is pretty nuts. Have it before you walk! The staff are very helpful and willing (and keen) to talk about the bush. You should definitely stop here before going to Piha, though it implies you need to go through Titirangi.

Interesting display of local Maori culture. At top of hill with great views of New Zealand landscape. Too bad it was cloudy & rainy when we visited.

A nice stop in the waitakere ranges with a great panoramic view. Informative and interactive centre. Delicious ice cream by the parking lot. Various walkway around the area and a grade 1 cycle trail from Arataki down to Titirangi shops.

School trip to Arataki was great. Had a great time walking with our guide. Kids really enjoyed all the activities.

Awesome,amazing views,nice ice cream🙂🙂 Worth a visit

Good place to take visitors. Friendly staff.. Good information hub. Great views over the Manukau Harbour too

Great centre. Heaps of small games for the kids to play while you read through the information boards. Beautiful scenery from the deck.

Love this place and used to come here as a child as I lived in Parau and still as beautiful as ever and well maintained ❤

Wonderful views nice bush walks pleasant staff

Great place to view a portion of the Waitakere ranges and learn about the flora and fauna of the area. Highly recommend stopping here at least once.

Allow at least 40 minutes to really enjoy this space. Well worth stopping here.

Alicia was very helpful. Gift shop had nice souvenirs. The park was huge and liked the black sandy beaches.

Great views towards the Manukau harbour. Lots of info about the Waitakere Ranges.

Very friendly & helpful staff, beautiful views, nice clean toilets

We didn't actually go in, however it was clean and tidy it in the car park and there appear tti be plenty of facilities.

The staff here was very helpful. They let us know what tours were going on and where we needed to wait for them. I noticed that they immediately helped anybody that walks through the door without them having to ask for assistance.

Very helpful in the centre, went for the nature walk was clearly sign posted, kauri dieback cleaning station was easy for the kids (and us) to use.

Well presented displays and knowledgeable people give you a great insight into the forest, the kauri die-back, the history of the Waitakere area and the animal life in it.

Didnt go in this time but had a Danish icecream from the man in the caravan and it's highly recommended. Yum yum yum

Wonderful lay out, family friendly, informative for all age groups!

Amazing resource as you enter the Waitakere ranges, full on info, helpful advice, great gift shop and best of all an incredible education programme for our tamariki to become the next kaitiaki of our land.

Awesome place. Lots for the kids to do and the best views around for miles. Super friendly and very educational.

Great gateway to the Waitakere Regional Park

It's a wonderful place you able to see all Auckland's sides from there also it has beautiful views, I strongly recommend to visit it especially in clear sky

View is awesome and it's very kid friendly, they got to do some bird making activities for free

Wonderful, activities and short walks for young children. Highly recommend

Lovely tourist attraction with a huge photo frame where u can click pictures then go for a walk in the forest and surprisingly free.

Very friendly and welcoming staff. Stunning views of surrounds.

Always a great place to visit with friends from out of town. Fantastic views. Delish ice cream... But No Cafe.

Very attractive walking track, will explore more in the future.

Good for tracking and takes almost whole day to track uo and down.

Stunning views. Staff are helpful and friendly. Perfect starting point for exploring the Waitakere ranges

Great place to take visitors. Awesome views.

This is a fantastic information centre. Its worth stopping by every time.

I went here today with my son's school. Informative and patient park rangers. Stunning views from the walking tracks.

Wow such a great view with info on hand to learn about out beautiful city

This place is awesome for info about walks and the local area. The staff are knowledgeable and maps of the area are only a fiver. Pretty spectacular view of the forest too

Great view.

Awesome views, easy access to walking tracks, and danish ice cream. Great place to visit

Take the walk from end of Titirangi village to the Arataki Visitor Center. Mostly flat with some great views.

The ranger was super knowledgable, funny and kind!

Interesting place to visit. Near the Waitakare ranges. Lots of cultural things to see. Stunning views and plenty of photo shots to take.

Lovely place for a walk or cycle. Family friendly and ice cream too!

Staff (old ladies at the desk on the top floor) are bit grumpy, but nonetheless, it's a great place with stunning views!

Cool place, amazing views, good walking track leading here, be sure to visit when the ice cream truck is open!

Well laid out fantastic staff and great walking opportunities.

Amazing views, beautiful place , educational building, postcards and other tourist items, great for kids , friendly staff

Not my first time, but my parnters and she loved it. It was a great place to stop driving and look around.

Always interesting to visit Great helpful staff

Interesting displays and a very helpful park ranger who helped identify the best walks given our time frame, and also gave us useful airport tips

awesome views and great information..

Took the kids there it's just amazing. The views and paths they have built really make me proud to be kiwi

Nice place to walk with beautiful scenery.

Visit the waffle icecream stand whilst you're there, you won't be disappointed. Amazing views from the decks

Cool place with lots to do. . Bush walks, spectacular views, interesting info and education centre, impressive carvings.

Awesome except part of the track was closed with no signs up untill you got to the end

Beautiful views....nice long walks.shaded area.visitor center very interesting.danish ice-cream 🌿🌲🌴🍁🌱

Beautiful viewing platform. Really enjoyable visit great for kids. Grab an ice cream from the Danish ice-cream hut outside its unreal

A good place to learn about native NZ trees. But please respect the rule to protect the trees.

Just here for the SCC camping, the view is great and toilet clean. Nice to feel safe at night with the gate.

A visitor center with an easy track next to it. Beautiful view. Worth visiting.

Informative, plenty off parking. Stunning views.

Fantastic day, still as beautiful stay safe and be well all

Loved the view. Breathtaking.

You must bring your family and some good friends with you. To Enjoy a day out with everyone... it's a 10 out of 10 for me.

Informative both cultural and conservation focused check out the native weta,s and gecko's, awesome view of Manukau heads.

We regularly come here to take the kids 'walking in trees'. Often followed by an iceblock afterwards. Staff here are fantastic. Knowledable and helpful.

With rainbow !!

Lovely place, awesome views over the Waitakere ranges and Manukau harbour, informative visitor centre with friendly staff and a guy selling tasty ice creams beside the car park in a small kiosk

Good to show off Auckland.. friendly staff

Awesome views and very relaxing place to be. And the original danish delight treat.

A must see! The views are incredibly beautiful and kids have so much to do and look at.

What a view from all the lookout points here!! breathtaking!!

Great outdoor activity and friendly team on-site

Stunning views! Well worth the stop. Lovely products inside to purchase as well. Very informative staff.

Lovely walks, great service 😊

Great stopover for tourists en route to Waitakere Ranges.

Great Centre with lots of local information, nice shop, friendly helpful staff and, most importantly, wonderful views.

Very exciting trip and walk the trails.

Very nicely done. Explains some Maori traditions and the floors/fauna of the region in a well done display

Great place to visit very informative

Great information and lovely view

Very nice visitor center. Better than most I've been to. Great veiws

Amazing views, great for kids too with a lot of games that teach them about nature. We loved it.

One of most beautiful visiting center in Newzealand. Check timetable for some environment lessons for kids.

Amazing views over Manukau and Waitemata harbours and beautiful bush views. Great educational facilities for kids.

Nature's best promoter. Lovely view. Yummy ice cream, facial creams and gift ideas.

Best pace to stop and see the beautiful nature of New Zealand. Good services at the desk and good variety of souvenirs.

The staf were great and took their time to show me attractions what roads to use and what to look out for. Really great service.

Not bad value for the price of admission.

Amazing place to visit! So tranquil, so peacefull and breath taking. Free visit and a must see!

Lovely people, awesome view over the area and nice little walks around the visitors centre.

Nice view over Lower Nihotupu Dam & Manukau Harbour.

Great scenic lookout over Auckland. Again for motorcyclists...a great ride through this part of Auckland, and escape most of the motorway...

Nice walks in the waitakere ranges...good workout as well..nice shady trails. Amazing scenic views as well..

Fantastic visitors centre. Brilliant when the tracks are all reopened

Nice views and very informative. I just wish there were more snacks/drinks to purchase as the nearest stores are 10 minutes away.

The most amazing Visitor Centre I've ever been. Great atmosphere, very nice space, beautiful views!

This MUST be your first stop once you've arrived in Aotearoa is Arataki Learn the people and the land and you've visit will not only be in memory, it will become apart of you. Haere mai haere mai

Excellent area to stop off for a coffee or icecream as well as an informative area for the children.

It's a great place for family with kids in weekends,come to breathe the nature in this realm.

Beautiful senic in a relaxed and informative atmosphere for kids & adults

Loved it,

Breathtaking views over both harbours. Awesome kids play area. Very educational

Good place to visit. Nice walks although they are a bit steep in places so be warned.

Great and warm people who works here

Awesome views and great info centre. Don,t miss the 15min movie.

Like you are in another world only a few minutes drive from the city

Great place to start your adventure in the Waitakere ranges. Ask the staff for some advice and grab a brochure to find your next spot.

Awesome hike; good family outing.

Fab views, and helpful staff in the centre. A little confusing about where some of the walks were due to confusing signage.

Great views of the Waitakere ranges

great place to visit. Staff are very friendly

Very nice place, I enjoy it . Always calm and serene. Love NZ

Culture, Nature and a free video on the diversity of Auckland. Did I mention the fantastic views.

Stunning views, nice toilets, some good bits of info and a shop, what more could you ask for!

A beautiful, lovingly maintained visitor centre with plenty to see and enjoy.

Very nice place. Helpfull staff and a quiet nice for not much money. Clean toilets

I luv the Arataki visitors centre, amazing views, the best information great staff and drive there is also am

Beautiful views and a nice and tidy place. Kids and parents alike will love it.

Very enjoyable place to visit. Knowledgeable hosts. Take good walking shoes!

Great scenic views of the lower Ngahotipu dam and surrounding forest with views of the Manukau harbour in the distance.

Great place for bushwalks and out of town family visitors. Spectacular views.

Awesome help from these guys! We got all the information we needed and a lovely attitude that made our trip to the waitakere even better!

Amazing view. Quiet and pretty. Good for kids too.

nice and clean.

Great place to educate the young and old very helpful staff. fantastic views

Waitakere Range & Arataki Visitor Centre - Magnificent place with many accessible walks. The visitor center is very well conceived and very instructive!