🥾 Scenic Views + Sheep Along the Way! 🌿 Duder Regional Park Is Prettier Than a Postcard

📍 Duder Regional Park｜Near Clevedon, Auckland

Located southeast of Auckland, Duder Regional Park is one of the most expansive and breathtaking nature reserves in the region.

🌊 In front of you lies the sparkling blue Hauraki Gulf.

🐑 At your feet, sheep and cattle graze freely across rolling paddocks.

🌾 The trails are surrounded by grassy fields, fresh sea breezes, and sweeping views. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a local kaumātua casting fishing nets in the bay.

🚶‍♀️ Family-Friendly Walking Tracks

• 🔴 Farm Loop (4.3 km loop, about 2 hours)The main circuit, winding through farmland with alternating views of pastures and bays.

• 🔵 Whakakaiwhara Pā Walk (2.4 km return)A detour from the main track leading to the eastern tip of the peninsula. From the clifftop, you’ll get unforgettable panoramic views.

• 🟡 Duder Sustainable Trail (4 km loop)A slightly longer route, perfect for families wanting to explore more of the park’s natural environment.

• 🟠 Coastal Walk (2 km return)Takes you down to the beach—ideal for paddling, photos, or a seaside picnic.

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Overall, the tracks are easy and require no special equipment. Children can comfortably complete most of the routes.

🧭 Visitor Info & Tips

📍 Carpark: 933R North Road, Clevedon (look carefully, the entrance is easy to miss)

🚗 About 50 minutes’ drive from Auckland CBD

🚻 Toilets and maps available at the entrance

❌ No smoking, no dogs (to protect farmland ecology)

🌿 Most tracks are unshaded—bring hats, sunscreen, plenty of water, and light snacks

📖 A Touch of HistoryDuder Regional Park is more than just a scenic spot. The land holds Māori heritage dating back centuries.

The Whakakaiwhara Peninsula was once a settlement site of the Ngāi Tai people. At the eastern headland lies the Whakakaiwhara Pā, a defensive pā site first built in the 1300s.

Walking to the end of the headland today, you can still see traces of this historic site. Oral traditions also tell of the Tainui waka (canoe) travelling along the Hauraki Gulf to this place, forming a key part of Ngāi Tai’s cultural identity.

With its open landscapes, simple routes, and rich history, Duder Regional Park is an easy-going weekend escape for families who want fresh air and nature—without an exhausting climb.