Whatipu Lodge

SUMMER HOLIDAY PERIOD CAMPING. CAMPING GROUPS OF MORE THAN 12 PEOPLE ARE NOT ACCEPTED DURING LONG HOLIDAY WEEKENDS.   The peak season gets busy at Whatipū Campground and bookings are not taken.The weather plays a big part on how busy it is. North Easterly and Easterly winds are terrible camping winds. I will be leaving a recorded answer message on my phone (098118860) and also on the Whatipu Lodge and Campground Facebook page.    Located at the south-western coastal corner of the Waitakere Ranges, Whatipū Lodge has been creating memories for more than a century. Staying at Whatipū Lodge is a little like stepping back into a time when life was slower and unplugged. Simple pleasures of friendship, food, play, exploration and relaxation... The wide variety of walks available locally offer something for both the beginner and the experienced walker alike. Magnificent views, magical sunsets, moonlit nights or dark night skies and birdlife in its natural habitat are inspirational for any photographer, outdoor enthusiast and adventurer. Whatipū is to be enjoyed rain or shine. We look forward to seeing you over the summer at Sir Bob Harvey's favourite place to stay.

History

Whatipū is beautiful, wild and remote with significant Māori associations and many historic sites. There are documented five pā sites, middens, karaka groves and earthworks for gardens recording Māori occupation. Te Kawerau ā Maki are acknowledged as retaining the mana whenua of their ancestral domain. More...

Management

Whatipū Lodge is privately managed by Wayne Mackenzie, under licence from Auckland Council. Wayne is a local historian. Wayne ancestors arrived in the southern coastal edge of the Waitakere Ranges in 1853, having arrived in Auckland in 1842. More...

Location

Whatipū is a scenic journey 42kms from Central Auckland and 25kms from Titirangi Village. More...

Activities

Available activities include TRAMPING, WALKING, FISHING and exploring the nearby caves, dune areas and wildlife sanctuary. More...

Swimming

There is no surf patrol at Whatipū. Auckland Council warn against swimming. Special care should be taken when fishing or exploring. More...

Friends of Whatipū 

Friends of Whatipū (FOW) is an incorporated group who have knowledge of and links with the Whatipū area and have resolved to act as guardians of the area, helping to preserve its special character and where possible assist the Auckland Council. FOW have an annual planting day, beach clean-up, seed collecting and a group stay at Whatipū Lodge. Our stay at Whatipū Lodge  has a guest speaker and shared Saturday night meal. FOW have a long term goal to release kiwi in the Whatipū landscape. It is our intention to be trained for best practise predator control, to rid the region of mammal pests, including, opossums, rats, mustelids (stoats etc), wild cats and for dogs to no longer be taken into the area. Dogs are already banned from the Whatipū Scientific Reserve (being the wetlands and beach area) and yet people still continue to take dogs to the beach. Kiwi once thrived in the region. FOW manage a survey of shorebirds and help fund an ongoing predator trapping programme, in cooperation with Auckland Council. There are about 6 pairs of New Zealand Dotterels found on the tidal dune area of the beach between Whatipū and Karekare. Over 10 years of monitoring FOW have recorded 31 fledged NZ Dotterel chicks. The estimated national population is approximately 2000. To join Friends of Whatipū please email [email protected] for details. $10 for individuals and $15 for families.