Attractions

A pleasant country drive through Waiuku and 33km beyond, leads to peaceful Awhitu on the southwest shores of the Manukau Harbour. Wander freely over parkland pastures, explore the wetlands, enjoy the safe, sandy beaches and sheltered picnic and barbecue areas.Camping sites available.

The Awhitu Peninsula encloses the Manukau Harbour. It is rugged, beautiful, and just over an hour from central Auckland.There are still remnants of the once thick puriri and kauri forest in the steeper valleys. A wide variety of agricultural and horticultural activities are visible on the Peninsula as are a number of charming harbour beach settlements, which are in direct contrast to the wild west coast and its 200m high sand cliffs.In the Franklin County several towns were surveyed in the late 1800s but never built. Greenock was one of these out on the Awhitu Peninsula.In those pre-road days every little bay had a wharf and the settlers sailed for supplies to Onehunga, which at that time was the main port for trans-Tasman trade.Awhitu Wines is found in Greenock Drive at Grahams Beach.Wine TastingJoin us for cellar door sales and a leisurely tasting experience in our unique location.Opening Hours:November – AprilWeekends and Public Holidays 10am - 5pmWeek days usually open though call to confirm.We are closed Christmas Day,Good Friday, Easter Sunday and ANZAC Day until 1:00pmLarge group tastings are available by arrangement.Platters can be provided on request.

Bersantai Day Spa at Castaways Resort is set in tranquil and relaxing surroundings high on the cliff tops above Karioitahi Beach. Bersantai’s Balinese-influenced landscaping and décor instantly sets the mood for rejuvenation and relaxation.

Whether you’re a guest at Castaway’s Resort or visiting for a day, we invite you to experience Bersantai’s wonderful range of massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures.

Maximise your experience with a soak in our outdoor stone baths before your treatment, or for a truly indulgent day out choose one of our fantastic packages.

Bersantai Day Spa is ideal for relaxing escapes, catch-ups with your best friends, overnight getaways, sophisticated hens parties, as a gift or simply when you need to indulge and recharge.

Nestled on wild coastal cliffs overlooking Karioitahi Beach, we offer the perfect getaway for any occasion. Whether you crave relaxation, a unique wedding venue, or a focused conference space, Castaways Resort has you covered.

Welcome to Castaways Restaurant & Bar. Enjoy a cocktail, beer or wine with your delicious meal while taking in the stunning panoramic views over Karioitahi Beach and the Tasman Sea.

Perfect for a date night, family celebrations, impressing visitors or business guests.

Christmas Day buffet lunch on December, 25th! Our much-loved Christmas Day Buffet Lunch is happening again this year on Wednesday, 25th December. https://www.castaways.co.nz/xmas-2024

Sunday Sizzler! Join us every Sunday from 12noon to 3pm for a sizzling buffet lunch! https://www.castaways.co.nz/sunday-sizzler

Enjoy Happy Hour at Castaways Restaurant & Bar from 4pm to 7pm daily! https://www.castaways.co.nz/happy-hour

Cliffside, Auckland's Premium Conference & Events Venue & Couples Getaways Under Canvas

A Cliffside experience is where luxury meets the breath-taking, rustic outdoors.

An unforgettable conferencing, retreats and events venue hosted in the midst of the secluded west coast and nestled comfortably between the rolling hills on the picturesque clifftops of Karioitahi Beach by Castaways Resort, our retreat-like experience - just 50 minutes' drive from Auckland’s CBD and airports - offers a unique and memorable experience away from the city escapades.

Enduring and unrivalled, Cliffside Conferences, Retreats and Events hosts intimate, couples retreat packages or conferences, retreats & events, making it a versatile, all-inclusive venue to hold your next corporate event, team-building event, wedding or private celebration. 

Home of Glenbrook Model Railway

Glenbrook Leisure Time offers one of the largest model railways for public viewing in NZ.  The train is based on modern American Railways. Some 800 metres, 600+ freight carriages and locomotives with sound.

A new attraction is our train rides for the children on our new real live miniature train!

Entry $2 donation per person and $2 for the train rides

Birthday party room and facilities available, phone to book.   

The great NZ steam train experience! Open on selected Sundays and Public Holidays from late October to early June. Our main car park is sign posted on Glenbrook Station Road.

Return Steam Train Fares:

Adults $25.00
Children (2 to 14 years) $12.00
Children under 2 years are free
Family Pass (2 adults plus up to 4 children) $65.00

You can book online or get tickets on the day for the Steam Train Experience.

For more information visit our website 

We cater for all types of Tour & Charter groups, sports teams, school groups, airport transfers. If you need a bus to move your group we have 33 and 45 seat buses. Ask about our Awhitu Tour which takes place in the Manukau Heads Lighthouse, breath taking scenery, the sleepy bays and rugged west coast of the peninsula.

Garden, Gift Shop and Lavender Nursery

In October 2005 we purchased an established garden, lavender and rosemary propagation nursery in Waiuku, South Auckland, and became custodians of the North Island Lavender Collection. Our aim was to restore the gardens to their former glory providing a fragrant, beautiful tourist attraction and continue to build upon the work of former owner, Peter Carter, by offering the greatest selection of lavender species in New Zealand. We had a lot of hard work ahead of us but we are now well on the way to achieving our goal. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs.

Manukau Charters provides corporate and private fishing trips, tours and events. Explore the Manukau Harbour aboard The Ratahi. Choose day trips or fully catered overnight/weekends Come aboard! Choose from our range of curated tour and trip packages or speak with our knowledgeable team to custom design for your group requirements. Come aboard! Let's talk!

LIGHTHOUSE CURRENTLY CLOSED

Due to a major road slip on the Awhitu Peninsula, the Manukau Heads Lighthouse is NOT currently accessible by road and is CLOSED to the public. Once it has re-opened it will be updated here.

Visitors to the Manukau Heads Lighthouse and its beautiful natural setting, feel a sense of reconnection with nature.

Auckland's highest most remote lighthouse is open daily until 5pm. One of the hidden gems of Franklin. Enjoy breathtaking views of the treacherous Manukau Bar which sank the HMS Orpheous in 1863, spectacular vistas across to Auckland and to the western horizon. This is one of the few lighthouses where you can climb to the top. You can make a donation to assist with the ongoing maintenance of this beautiful piece of history. For directions go to their website listed here. On route make a stop at one of the lovely sleepy bays lining the east coast of the peninsula, Awhitu Regional Park or the rugged west coast. Other places of interest in the area; Pollok Co-op Art Gallery with it's unique local arts and crafts where you can enjoy a coffee in the sculpture garden, Awhitu Wines where you can taste beautiful boutique wines and take some home with you to enjoy.

Harnessing the nutritional power of food.

Our dream is to create a delicious path to health and vitality through the nutritional power of food, one family at a time.

Book in your group to experience a vibrant, exciting food journey like no other!

We offer - Cooking classes, One-on-one coaching, Nourish Pantry, Gift Cards and more.

We use locally grown and sourced ingredients wherever we can.

Go to our website for more information and get in touch!

We are a small family business located at Wattle Bay, on the beautiful Awhitu Peninsula. Come and pick your own fresh flavour full Blueberries and enjoy a Real Fruit Blueberry ice cream. A great family day out! Enjoy a trip to the lighthouse or just relax at the beach to make a full days activities

Take time to explore the heritage buildings

Come in and enjoy a drink at the Oldest Continuous Licensed Hotel in New Zealand. The Kentish Hotel public bar and Portside Restaurant, enjoying a view of the estuary. You can also stay in one of our re-furbished rooms and have a truly old fashioned hotel experience at reasonable rates. We also cater for weddings with packages to suit in our picturesque surroundings. See accommodation listing on this site or go to our website for full details. Built in 1851 by Edward Constable who emigrated from Maidstone, Kent in England. Constable then went on to apply to the Colonial Secretary for a Publican's Special License and License No.47 was granted on January 10th 1853. That same license still continues today and the hotel lays claim to the longest continuous liquor license in New Zealand. Throughout its long history the Kentish has been at the heart of Waiuku life since it was built. It occupies a central location in Waiuku town, is near the entrance to the Waiuku harbor, and opposite the popular Tamakae reserve which serves as a base for the Waiuku Museum and other attractions.

Come along and try out our lovely vintage bikes which are for hire. Great to ride along the heritage trail. The baskets are great to carry a picnic.

1.5 hours $20

3 hours    $35

5 hours    $45

Also

Curated day trips and weekend events for corporate and private groups. Bring a fun and authentic vintage vibe to your next gathering. The best thing since sliced bread!

Waiuku Forest is a well known attraction. Walking tracks, events, horse events. To apply for an event or vehicle access to closed areas please visit the website to enquire. 

To view or download a map of the forest click the link below

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/11932-Waiuku-Forest-Recreation-Area-Map

Wonderful all year round golf facility with 365 day access to affiliated and non affiliated players alike. Be a member of golf for $15 per week and squash for $250 per annum. Family memberships and corporate and business members encouraged. Three great squash courts and a friendly social family environment.

For Visitor Information, Bus & Train Information, Gifts & Souvenirs, Local Community Information and other services.

The Waiuku Information Centre is run by the Waiuku Business & Development Association and a group of wonderful volunteers.

For visitors or anyone wanting information about the area, pop in and see us. Waiuku and the Awhitu peninsula has so much to offer, from 4 Wheel drive adventures to it's unique local arts and beautiful beaches to explore.

Gifts and souvenirs are available to purchase (cash sales only).

Waiuku Credit Notes are also available as gifts and are accepted at most retail stores in Waiuku. 

Auckland Transport Hop Cards are not available from the Information Centre but can be purchased at Kitchener Rd Superette and Queen St Superette. Card top ups have to be done online or at Pukekohe/ Papakura train stations.

Other services at the Information Centre:

Wednesdays from 9am - 10am - Community Cops drop in session. Anyone is welcome to drop in for a casual relaxed chat to their local community cop with any concerns they may have.

Wednesdays from 11.30am-1.30pm - Justice of the Peace clinic. This is a drop in clinic, no appointment needed.

Affordable Car & Van Rentals. We provide a vehicle rental service to help you get from A to B at minimal cost. A variety of cars, vans and trailers are available, servicing most budgets or travel needs.   Mini-buses available, ideal for sports teams.    24 Hour AA Roadside Assist,  Basic Insurance included,  Long Term rates available .REQUIREMENTS:

• A Valid Driver's License
• VISA Card details
• Payment on Collection or online beforehand
• Return the vehicle clean and with a full tank of fuel

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