Are the trails at Puni Park steep?
Home GroundCity guide
No, the singletrack follows the natural contours of the land without dramatic climbing. The trails are flowing cross-country in character rather than technical or enduro-style.
Pukekohe Questions
Pukekohe people helping Pukekohe people. Ask about any place, or answer one for a local.
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Questions here are answered by locals.
Type of place
Is there any toilet at Puni Park, or should I go before leaving Pukekohe?
What's the phone number for Franklin Arts Centre in Pukekohe?
Home GroundCity guide
You can call the Franklin Arts Centre on 09 238 8899. It's at 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe East.
Is it worth taking young kids through the galleries, or is it more for adults?
What happened to the carpark above Sunset Beach at Port Waikato?
Home GroundCity guide
It was closed in July 2024 after about 2 m of cliff edge was lost to erosion overnight.
Do locals take dogs on the beach and dunes at Port Waikato, or are there rules to watch for?
Does Pukekohe Library have quiet places to study?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, the library has quiet study spaces for individuals and small groups.
Is it easy to get around inside with a wheelchair or pram?
Where can I get a map of the Pukekohe Five Summits Trail?
Home GroundCity guide
You can download the front and back map PDFs from the Pukekohe Tramping Club website. Maps are also available around town.
Can you get up Pukekohe Hill and back in under an hour, or does it take longer?
Is there a time capsule near the Pioneer Cottage, and when does it open?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes. The Franklin Historical Society buried one in 2002 under the big stone about 20 metres from the cottage. It's due to be opened in 2052.
Are there info panels inside, or do you mostly rely on the volunteers to explain things?
Any rules for crossing the farmland on the Mt William Walkway?
Home GroundCity guide
Keep to the track across the private farmland and take care around stock. Leave farm gates as you find them, open or closed.
How many cars fit at the McMillan Road car park, and does it fill up on weekends?
Is there drinking water at the track, or should we bring our own bottles?
Is the playground at Pukekohe Town Square getting a shade cover?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, the square upgrade includes a new shade structure over the playground, along with improved safety surfacing. The upgrade is scheduled for construction in 2026.
Is the square easy to get around with a wheelchair or pram, or are there steps and bumpy bits?
What is Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church built from?
Home GroundCity guide
It's a colonial wooden church built from locally sourced native timbers, and it's still in largely original condition.
Do kids get much out of a stop here, or is it just a quick look from the road?
Can you still see bullet holes at the Pukekohe East church?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes. Bullet holes from the 1863 attack can still be seen in the church walls and porch, and in Betsy Hodge's gravestone.
Does anyone run guided tours here, or is it just a look from the road?
Is it doable with a pram, or are the tracks too rough?
Why is Pukekohe such a big market gardening area?
Home GroundCity guide
Clearing the dense bush left large areas of fertile volcanic land available for growing crops around Pukekohe.
Has anyone taken a wheelchair along here? Wondering how the boardwalk and paths are.
Are there picnic tables or a barbecue at Bledisloe Park?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, Bledisloe Park has picnic tables, seating and a barbecue. They're among the facilities alongside the playground, skate area and sports fields.
Is there a drinking fountain near the playground, or should I bring water?
Is Hūnua Falls worth visiting after rain?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, the flow is stronger after rain, which adds to the mist and sound of the water at the main viewing area close to the base of the falls.
Is the track to the lookout okay for a pram, or are there too many steps?
Are there picnic tables at Rosa Birch Park?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, the park has picnic tables and seating. Toilets and two car parks are also on site.
Is there a working drinking fountain or tap anywhere at Rosa Birch Park?
Where do I park for Waitangi Falls?
Home GroundCity guide
There's a carpark at the end of Waitangi Falls Road, on your right. It has a picnic area with a couple of tables, but no toilets.
Does the waterfall keep flowing well in late summer, or does it drop off a lot?
Can you pick fruit at Samuel Miller Reserve?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, there are community fruit trees at the reserve, and at the right time of year you can pick an apple for a snack.
Is the playground fenced at all, or is it open to the street?
Does Roulston Park have barbecues and picnic spots?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, the upgraded park has barbecue and picnic facilities, plus more and improved seating.
Does the playground suit toddlers, or is it mostly for bigger kids?
Is the Five Summits Trail well marked or easy to follow?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, orange markers and map boards guide the way around the loop. It's still smart to carry a map or use a GPS app for the full 21 km.
Has anyone done the loop with kids on bikes? Did they cope with the distance and hills?
Is there much shade at Kennelly Park?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, there are established trees that give shade for picnics and relaxing in the warmer months.
Is the playground fenced, or is it open to the street?
Which streets can I get into Ernie's Reserve from?
Home GroundCity guide
You can enter from Reynolds Road, Cape Hill Road, Brownlee Place and Max Short Drive. The reserve's address is 22 Reynolds Road, Pukekohe.
Is there much shade around the ponds on a hot afternoon?
Are there toilets at the Maketu Waterfall car park?
Home GroundCity guide
No, there are no toilets or other facilities at the small car park beside the cemetery on Pratts Road, so go before you leave home.
Does the waterfall still flow well in late summer, or does it drop to a trickle?
Can you get down to the stream below the waterfall at Henrys Reserve?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, a side track leads down to the stream bed, where you can see the lower cascades. It's slippery when wet, so take care and keep kids supervised.
Are there any toilets at Henrys Reserve, or is it best to go before you get there?
Who looks after the pest control along the Te Ara O Whangamaire track?
Home GroundCity guide
Predator Free Franklin volunteers look after it. They maintain chew cards and monitoring stations along the route as part of ongoing pest control in the reserve.
Are there any toilets near the rugby fields or the track start?
How long is the walk to Mauku Waterfall from the entrance?
Home GroundCity guide
It's an easy walk of about 5 to 7 minutes from reception to the waterfall lookout. Follow the track that descends to the pond and you can't miss it.
Does the waterfall still flow well in summer or is it best after rain?
Is there parking at the end of Oakland Road for Bottle Top Bay?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, there is a small parking area at the top of the ramp. Oakland Road is lined with homes, so park considerately and keep noise down early and late.
Are there any toilets near the ramp, or should I go before I head out?
Is there parking close to the Pukekohe skatepark?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, you can park on the street along Stadium Drive, and there are car parks close by.
Is there any lighting at night, or is it too dark to skate after sunset?
What number do I call about training at Pukekohe Park?
Home GroundCity guide
Call 09 238 8049 for training enquiries. It's also the number to ring if you need to reach someone onsite at Pukekohe Park.
Are there any picnic tables at Pukekohe Park on raceday, or do people bring their own chairs?
Where can I buy bait and tackle before heading to Port Waikato?
Home GroundCity guide
Hunting & Fishing Franklin in Pukekohe sells fishing tackle, bait and outdoor gear. It's at Unit C, 182 to 196 Manukau Road.
How easy is the walk from the car park down to the sand when you're carrying rods and gear?
Can I gut my trout at the reservoir?
Home GroundCity guide
No. Gutting or cleaning fish is not allowed anywhere on the site, so take your trout away whole and clean it at home.
How long is the walk up the dam access road from where you leave the car?
Is there a car park at Hamiltons Gap?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, there's a car park at the road end on a grassy flat beside the stream. The toilets and the freedom camping area are right there too.
Is there anywhere to launch a boat near Hamiltons Gap, or is it beach only?
How long is the Whangamarino Historic Walk track?
Home GroundCity guide
The track is 900 m one way, a short easy walk.
Can you ride a bike on this track, or is it walkers only?
Is there a phone number I can call before heading out to Waiuku Museum?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, you can ring the museum on 09 235 8698 before you go.
Are the displays well labelled with information panels, or do the volunteers explain things?
What's the bag limit for trout at Mangatangi Reservoir?
Home GroundCity guide
The bag limit is 2 trout and 5 tench, with no limit on perch or rudd. There are no length restrictions on fish.
Where do you leave the car for Mangatangi, and is there room on a weekend?
Is the Mercer museum indoors? Thinking of going on a wet day.
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, it's inside an old villa on Roose Road, so it works for a wet day.
Is it worth taking primary school age kids, or is it mostly photos to read?
Can I fish Parkinsons Lake from the bank, or do I need a boat?
Home GroundCity guide
You can fish it from the bank. Access is good and the lake is easily fished from the shore, so you don't need a boat.
Has anyone taken a dog to Parkinsons Lake? Is it okay to have one along while fishing?
What's the daily bag limit at Lake Whatihua, and is there a size limit?
Home GroundCity guide
The daily bag limit is 2 fish, and there are no length restrictions, so you can keep fish of any size.
Is the trail from the gate manageable in a wheelchair, or is it too rough and steep?
Where are the toilets on the Hūnua Traverse?
Home GroundCity guide
There are public toilets at Clevedon, Kaiaua, the Upper Mangatāwhiri campground and the Wal McQuarrie Visitor Centre in Hūnua Regional Park. Nothing is listed in between except those park stops.
Is there room to park all day at the Clevedon end, or is Kaiaua easier?
Is there anywhere else to fish further down the Waikato past Tuakau?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, the back-channels near Hoods Landing, further down the river, are well rated for fishing.
Are there toilets at Les Batkin Reserve or near the Mercer Bridge?
Is there anywhere to stay right next to the Clarks Beach boat ramp?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, Clarks Beach Holiday Park at 226 Torkar Road is right beside the ramp. It has a boat ramp and fish cleaning among its facilities.
How busy does the Clarks Beach ramp get on summer weekends, and when should I arrive?
Is the Tuakau museum a good option if the weather turns wet?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, it is housed in the old Tuakau post office and has colonial and Māori exhibits, a military section and natural history items, so it suits a wet day.
How long do people usually spend going through the Tuakau museum?
Where can I look up the names of people who served in the First World War?
Home GroundCity guide
Auckland Museum's Online Cenotaph is the place to look for the names of those who served in the First World War.
Are there any information panels at the turret explaining its history?
Where do I park for the skatepark at Massey Park?
Home GroundCity guide
Use the car parks off Belgium Street. You can also walk into the park from Queen, Kent and Martyn streets.
Does the skatepark get much shade in the afternoon, or is it full sun?
Is there a cemetery at Alexandra Redoubt as well?
Home GroundCity guide
Yes, the Alexandra Redoubt (Historic) Cemetery is down the hill from the earthworks and partly surrounds them.
How steep is the walk up from where you park, and is it slippery after rain?
Do I need to book ahead or can I just turn up?
Home GroundCity guide
Book ahead. Sites can only be booked up to six months in advance, and availability refreshes at midnight each day, so check the calendar for your dates before you head out.
Is there any phone coverage at Upper Mangatāwhiri, or do you lose signal in the valley?
Nothing here right now.