Local time Friday 8:42 AM | ||
Weather 14°C, Wind SW at 23 km/h, 83% Humidity Points of interest Waitākere Ranges Regional, Upper Nihotupu Reservoir, Scenic Drive - Auckland, Parkinson Lookout, Rose Hellaby House | ||
Waiatarua is a small settlement near the top of the Waitakere Ranges, which border New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, close to the junction of Scenic Drive, West Coast Road and Piha Road to Piha and runs east until the junction of Scenic Drive and Mountain Road. Surrounded by native bush in the Centennial Memorial Park and the water catchment area, Waiatarua is over 300 metres above sea level and some houses are over 400 metres above sea level (higher than the Auckland Sky Tower).
Contents
- Map of Waiatarua Auckland New Zealand
- History
- Tourism
- Tramping
- Education
- Radio and television mast
- References
Map of Waiatarua, Auckland, New Zealand
History
Rose Hellaby House is a historic building transformed into a museum. Large Kauri trees were milled in Waiatarua at Mander and Bradley's Mill close to Upper Nihotupu reservoir.
Tourism
The nearby Arataki Information Centre proves information about the local flora, fauna and geology, and is the starting point for a number of well-maintained walking trails.
Tramping
The Waiatarua area includes the Upper and Lower Nihotupu water reservoirs. Leading to these reservoirs are scenic walking trails through native forest past waterfalls. These trails connect with the wider network of walking trails within Waitakere Regional Park. Many other tramping tracks are in the area. The nearest centres to Waiatarua are Titirangi village, Swanson, and the Henderson Valley.
Education
The local state primary schools are Oratia School and Henderson Valley School. The local state secondary schools are Kelston Boys High School and Kelston Girls High School. Catholic students usually attend St Dominics College in Henderson (girls), Liston College (boys) or commute by train from Henderson to Marist College,Mount Albert (girls) or St Peter's College,Grafton (boys).
Radio and television mast
A transmission mast is located in the area. It broadcasts the main TV channels (including TV ONE, TV2, TV3, C4 and Prime) to most areas in Auckland. Radio broadcasts used to be broadcast from it, but these were transferred to the Auckland Sky Tower.