Parry Kauri Park, Warkworth’s Ancient Giants

Just off the main road in Warkworth, behind the museum on Tudor Collins Drive is Parry Kauri Park, one of the Matakana Coast’s lesser-known local gems. This ancient pocket of native forest is home to some of the most impressive Kauri trees on New Zealand’s East Coast and offers a beautiful loop track walk that is a must-do when exploring the region.

Whether you’re heading up from Auckland for a weekend on the Matakana Coast or passing through on your way north, this is one stop you absolutely should not drive past.

As you enter the car park, you are greeted by two of the largest Kauri trees in the park, named the McKinney Kauri and the Simpson Kauri. Named to honour Reverend McKinney, the 800-year-old McKinney Kauri is estimated to be the largest kauri tree on New Zealand’s east coast, with a girth of more than seven metres. Māori legend adds a beautiful tradition to the visit where anyone can place both their hands on the ancient trunk, close their eyes and make a wish.

The Walks

The walking loop track has several lookouts and offers strolls ranging in length from 10 to 45 minutes. For most visitors, the full loop takes about 20 to 35 minutes at a relaxed pace, though many find it hard to rush when the forest is this peaceful.

The path is family-friendly and mostly boardwalk, with some stairs and areas of hard-packed dirt. There is also a 50m wheelchair-accessible section, so all can enjoy.

The recently renovated track treats visitors to a beautifully wide boardwalk that winds through native bush with majestic Kauri trees, leading to bird-feeding platforms where you can sit and listen to the birdsong.

Along the way, you’ll encounter much more than Kauri. The forest contains Nikau Palms, Ponga ferns and an abundance of regenerating native species. These are all well sign-posted and clearly labelled, so you can learn as you go and there are also free brochures available from the museum shop that describe and identify the native trees and shrubs found along the path.

Entry to the park and parking are both completely free and include practical amenities such as toilets, a car park with mobility parking, picnic tables and seating within the park.

 

Tips Before You Visit

• Entry is free – both the park, walking track and car park cost nothing.
• The car park gate is open 7am to 9pm in summer and 7am to 7pm in winter.
• Wear shoes with grip – some sections include stairs and packed dirt, which can get a little slippery after rain.
• Important: Kauri trees across New Zealand, including Parry Kauri Park are under threat from Kauri Dieback, a fatal and incurable disease caused by soil-borne organisms spread primarily through the movement of soil on footwear, equipment, and animals, causing canopy yellowing, bleeding gum lesions, and tree death. To help do your part and protect our ancient treasures, always clean your shoes at the wash stations provided before and after your visit.
• The Warkworth Museum sell’s snacks and icecreams, a very welcome post-walk treat on warmer days.

 

Getting Here

From Auckland: The park is approximately 60km from central Auckland, and takes roughly 45 minutes to drive via State Highway 1 North. Look out for the signposted turn-off on Pōhuehue Road (the old State Highway 1) just as you reach Warkworth. The park is located at 32 Tudor Collins Drive, Warkworth, with the car park accessed directly from Tudor Collins Drive.

From Matakana: Parry Kauri Park is an easy side trip if you’re already exploring the Matakana Coast. The distance between Matakana and Warkworth is around 10km by road, taking approximately 10 minutes to drive. Head west out of Matakana Village along Matakana Road, and you’ll be in Warkworth in no time.

 

History of Parry Kauri Park

Parry Kauri Park is a beautiful section of native Kauri forest, including two remarkable trees estimated to be around 800 years old, that managed to survive the mass destruction of ancient kauri forests that occurred during European colonisation of the Auckland region. Behind the big trees is a healthy area of Kauri regrowth, spanning from juvenile rickers right through to 100-year-old forest trees.

The park is a tribute to the early bushmen who made the conscious decision to preserve this fine stand of young and old kauris. The boardwalks through the park are built and maintained by the Warkworth Kauri Bushmen’s Association, which purchased the park some 50 years ago and immediately gifted it to the Council for the public’s enjoyment. They continue to plant native trees each year, with the goal of eventually covering the entire eight-hectare park in native bush.

In the early years of European settlement, Parry Kauri Park was part of the property owned by Reverend McKinney, the first minister of the Presbyterian Church in Warkworth and Mahurangi. The land was later purchased by the Simpson family, who requested that on the sale of their property, the trees and bush be offered for purchase as a public amenity.

The Warkworth Museum