geographic points of interest

Awhitu Park Remembrance Plaque

Bronze plaque on conglomerate rock. "This park was officially opened by T.H Pearce, Chairman Auckland Regional Authority and A.K Corban, Chairman Regional Parks Committee on Saturday 8 November 1975

Kauritutahi Beach Wharf

Kauritutahi Beach Wharf

This small Wharf at Kauritutahi Beach located just down from Brooks Homestead in the Awhitu Regional Park gives lots of pleasure over summer. The wharf is tidal, no one ties their boat up to it but it's great for jumping off when the tide is right.

Lake Pokorua

Lake Pokorua

Lake Pokorua, located in Kohekohe on the Awhitu Peninsula is of ecological significance in that the lake is seemingly impossibly located in sand dunes

Kohekohe Church

Kohekohe Church

Kohekohe Church: built in 1886, this small church is located against one of the most sublime visual backdrops

Matakawau

Matakawau

Matakawau is translated as Headland of the Shag. The Matakawau beachfront settlement is the largest on the Peninsula. The settlement mainly consists of holiday baches and retirement houses. It was subdivided between 1949 and1960.

Otamanewa Island

Otamanewa Island

This picturesque small island is located in Matakawau Bay

Matakawau Point

Matakawau Point

Located at Matakawau Point is a public reserve and all tidal boat ramp. You can fish off the point. Barbeque's and toilets are available on the reserve.

Awhitu Wharf

Awhitu Wharf

Awhitu Warf used to be located at the end of Kauri Rd on the Dickies Landing headland It was built in 1877 and was used for about 70 years.

Awhitu Environmental Camp

Awhitu Environmental Camp

Located at the end of Hatton road, the camp is managed by Waiuku College

Dickeys Landing

Dickey's Landing-Kauri Road once a important landing for trade boats is now considered the area name for the Headland off Kauri Road. Metal for Awhitu roads was shipped here. And one assumes gum and Kauri where shipped of in their heyday. When roads improved, the need for the landing diminished. The remains of the landing can still be seen.

Kauritutahi Creek

Kauritutahi Creek

On the outgoing tide locals jump off the boat ramp/wharf at the end of Featon Aveand get swept down the creek and around the bend to the main swimming hole which you can see in the distance

Awhitu Regional Park

Awhitu Regional Park

The Park was officially opened in 1977. The park consists of 113 hectares, which you can wander over by following the well defined tracks. Walks take in some salt meadows, and salt marshes, a great lookout overlooking the harbour, and pieces of native bush

Wattle Bay

Wattle Bay

Located over the hill from Orua Bay. Wattle bay is the last bay before you get to the heads.

Awhitu Central School Building

Awhitu Central School Building

Āwhitu Central school building is now used as the meeting place for the Awhitu Social Club on Friday nights and during the summer months there is a summer cafe on Sundays

The African Queen

The African Queen

A rusting old boat located in Orua Bay colloquially known as 'The African Queen'

Macro At Brooks

Macro At Brooks

Macrocarpa At Brooks Farm

Brook's Shack

Brook's Shack

The Brook's shifted onto the Awhitu Peninsula in 1875 and erected a shack simular to form now located near the main homestead.

Brooks Homestead

Brooks Homestead

The Brook's arrived at Āwhitu in 1875, and built this homestead about 1800. The main weatherboard is pit sawn Kauri

Orua Bay

Orua Bay

Orua Bay: One of the most picturesque bays located on the Manukau Harbour. The bay has many holiday baches and retirement houses

Grahams Beach

Grahams Beach

White sandy tidal beach with sweeping views accross the Manukau harbour

Royal Spoonbills At Waipipi

Royal Spoonbills At Waipipi

On Manukau Harbour, the numbers of royal spoonbills and other waders have increased since sewage treatment ponds were removed in 2001

Pollok School

Pollok School

Pollok school closed a few years ago due to falling school roles. It is now registered as Historic Place -Category ii

Pollok Presbyterian Church

Pollok Presbyterian Church

Pollok Presbyterian Church

World War 1 Cenotaph

World War 1 Cenotaph

The cenotaph is transcribed with the names of Awhitu residents who participated in active duty during World War One. It contains the names of those fallen and those who returned.

Road to Lighthouse

Road to Lighthouse

Road to lighthouse has many views, this looks through a rusting barbed top wire fence down the gap towards Wattle bay.

Kingfisher nesting holes

Kingfisher nesting holes

Kingfisher holes can be found along the banks of the Manukau Harbour. The bank on the left is at the Awhitu Regional park, just down from the Carpark.

Matata Tohu Carving

Matata Tohu Carving

Carving erected in 2000. Created to mark the ARCs parks 2000 anniversary. Salt meadows, rushland and sedgelands in the Awhitu Regional park provides habitat for the endemic fernbird (Matata) which is the subject of the carving

Waimatuku

Waimatuku

The name Waimatuku is Maori for “water of the Bittern. This is the name of the reserve at the entrance to the Hamilton's Gap. Road access to the gap is through West Coast Road. The place has a wild rugged, sublime aesthetic

Awhitu Central Church

Awhitu Central Church

Built in 1877, the church is still in use today. This church along with the Kohekohe church is a recognised piece of historical architecture

Matakawau Catholic Church

Matakawau Catholic Church

Church opened 1954 after a 15 year long fund raising project Church is now used by Anglican and Presbyterian ministries.

Matakawau Scenic Reserve

Matakawau Scenic Reserve

Good little 25 minute bush walk which has some of the few remaining Kauri trees on the Awhitu peninsula.

Bachelor Button Walk

Bachelor Button Walk

This amazing little walk is through the Awhitu ARC park marshland. It occurs every spring when the bachelor buttons flower forming a lovely lime yellow pathway

Information published here is gathered by Awhitu Enterprise. Awhitu Enterprise is a not-for-profit organisation supporting local community and economic development on the Awhitu Peninsula

If you uncover any information, which is inaccurate, or out of date, please let Awhitu Enterprise know.

Awhitu Enterprise Contact Details:
  • Postal: Awhitu Enterprise, R D 4, Waiuku
  • Phone: (09) 2351616 Please leave message on answer phone
  • Location: Awhitu Info Centre, Awhitu Road, Matakawau, Franklin District , Auckland Region, New Zealand
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