Ancient Forest Beside the Auckland Botanic Gardens
Tōtara Park is a 216-hectare reserve in Manurewa, Auckland, adjoining the Auckland Botanic Gardens off Hill Road, about 25 km south of Downtown Auckland. While the Botanic Gardens draw close to a million visitors a year, Tōtara Park is the quieter companion next door: a genuine remnant strip of the lowland podocarp and broadleaf forest that once covered South Auckland, with walking tracks, a bridle trail, mountain biking, and the chance to stand among tall tōtara and kahikatea without travelling far from the city.
The Puhinui Stream Forest Trail
The main draw for walkers is the Puhinui Stream Forest Trail, a 4 km loop through a broadleaf and podocarp forest remnant of around 30 hectares, of which 20 hectares are within Tōtara Park, and 10 hectares are managed as part of the Botanic Gardens. The trail follows the Puhinui Stream through forest with tōtara, kahikatea, pūriri, rimu, nikau, kōwhai, and miro.
The best of the large trees are near the main car park at the southeast corner of the park and the east end of the track, where the remnant big-tree forest is most intact. The full loop takes around two hours, while shorter sections can be walked in 20 to 45 minutes. Steps and footbridges handle the steeper points and stream crossings, and there is a side trail to a modest waterfall. Towards the west end, the trail connects with the Auckland Botanic Gardens trails.
The Auckland Botanic Gardens, a free public attraction covering 64 hectares, can be combined with a visit to the forest trail for a full day out. The gardens have a café at the visitor centre.
The Wider Park
Beyond the forest, heading north, Tōtara Park has open grassy fields with rolling hills, a bridle trail, mountain biking tracks in the northeastern section, a swimming pool complex, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, barbecue areas, and picnic tables. About halfway from the forest heading north, on the west side of the park, is a high point with great views. Dogs are welcome throughout the park but must be kept on a leash. There is also a dog exercise area at the northwest end of the Botanic Gardens, just before the forest.
Nathan Family and the Land's History
The land for both Tōtara Park and the Botanic Gardens was part of the Nathan family farm, established by David Nathan in 1910. The Nathan family had the foresight to protect the native bush on the property from logging through the decades of farming. This land was purchased by Auckland City in 1968, with the creation of the parks in 1982.
How to Get There
From Downtown Auckland, take the southern motorway to the Hill Road exit and follow Hill Road east past the entrance to the Auckland Botanic Gardens for a few hundred metres. Turn north onto Charles Provost Drive, then follow it to Waitere Road, turning north again to access the Totara Oar car park. The Puhinui Stream Forest Trail runs west along the stream towards the Botanic Gardens. The drive is 25 km and takes 22 minutes.
To access the north, open end of Totara park, take the Redoubt Road exit from the motorway, heading north until you see the entrance on the right. There are multiple track options.
Nearby places to visit include the Nathan Homestead, Kirk's Bush in Papakura, about 10 km south, and the Hunua Ranges Regional Park to the east, with longer walks and the Hunua Falls.
