At Hunua Falls, we have a wide range of activities available. There are both onsite options - for which there is no extra charge - and activities which involve your group employing an independent adventure company, or visiting one of the nearby commercial attractions.
On Site Options
Some groups come to be inspired by the waterfalls, or to explore the regional forest park next door. Others find the peaceful, serene setting provides a break from everyday life and opens doors to new opportunities. Whatever your goal is, you’ll find everything you need right here at the camp to ensure everyone has a great time.
Hunua Falls Camp comes with a wide range of activities that are set up, documented and ready to go – all at no extra charge. Our camp custodian will be happy to introduce the activities to you and explain any safety requirements.
We have sports equipment for free usage - table tennis, rugby balls, soccer balls, bats, cones etc. Please check with the Customer Service Officer at time of booking to see what is currently available at the camp.
Adventure Course
Designed to help people realise they can achieve greater things, our well-built Adventure Course provides situations that appear more challenging than they really are. The course can be used to represent the wider challenges that people face and highlight the rewards that come from persevering and seeking the support of others to achieve goals.
Problem solving
Nothing brings people together more than working together on a challenge. And when the challenge involves a shared responsibility to move your team over, though or onto outdoor structures, it’s also a whole lot of fun. Our problem solving activities will reveal hidden talents and bring out the best, or at times the worst, in attitudes and co-operation. Either way, your group will be stronger for the experience.
Orienteering
Follow directions, unravel clues and gather information to reach your goal in the shortest time possible. We offer a range of orienteering courses to suit different age-groups and abilities. Some are set around our buildings and others venture further afield. They all provide a sense of achievement in a beautiful outdoor environment.
Burma Trail
Scary, challenging and huge fun, you must find your own way through the forest in complete darkness with only a rope as your guide. This individual challenge is a highlight for most of our guests. Our Burma trail is permanently set up and ready to go. Additional ‘surprises’ can be added for grownups and smaller children can tackle it using blindfolds during the day.
Field & Playground
The open space of our playing field is ideal for most outdoor games, from team sports such as touch rugby and soccer to after dark activities. It’s also a great place to share lifetime outdoor skills like tent-pitching, first aid and bush craft.
Our playground also creates a fun area for children to play and explore in a safe environment.
Indoor Activities
Sometimes the weather or the nature of a particular activity calls for time indoors. At Hunua Falls Camp you have the advantage of two large indoor spaces, the hall/dining area and the chapel. Both venues provide flexible spaces for a wide range of activities. These can include guest speakers, presentations, meetings, games, hobbies, crafts and rehearsals.
Walks from Hunua Falls Camp
Hunua Falls Camp is set on the western border of the Hunua Ranges and 14,000 hectares of native forest that make up the regional forest park. The park offers public access to walking tracks, mountain biking trails, beautiful landscape views, fishing, swimming pools and waterfalls. Please see the walks assessable from camp below. For information on more challenging walks and the mountain bike trails, visit the Auckland Regional Parks website. See www.arc.govt.nz/parks
Hunua Falls Lookout Walk
Time: 5 minutes one way
Distance: 500 m one way
Difficulty: Easy
Description: From the camp walk overland to the Hunua Falls car park then into the forest next to the Wairoa River before reaching magnificent views of the falls.
Cosseys Walk
Time: 50 minutes return
Distance: 2 km return
Difficulty: Moderate – reasonable fitness required
Description: A delightful loop walk that heads down the Cosseys Gorge track to the Cossey reservoir and returns along the Cossey dam access road (no vehicles allowed) to the car park.
Massey Track
Time: 1 hour 50 minutes one way
Distance: 2.8 km one way
Difficulty: Moderate – reasonable fitness required
Description: This track starts on the east side of the Wairoa River opposite the Hunua Falls Reserve car park. It follows a fence line for 400 metres then climbs steeply to meet the Wairoa to Cosseys Track at a point 1.7 km from Cosseys Dam.
Your efforts are rewarded with some sweeping ridge top views. You’ll also discover a delightful rest area and magnificent kauri tree grove.
Massey Track Loop Walk
Time: 3 hours 30 minutes return
Distance: 5 km return
Difficulty: Moderate – reasonable fitness required
Description: This is a popular walk for many of our visiting groups. It combines the Cossey Gorge Track with the Massey Track to create a beautifully scenic loop walk through lush native forest. The track also offers the satisfaction of conquering some steep inclines and you get to wade or rock-hop across Crossey Creek.
Pack a camera (waterproof container recommended) to capture the long range views from the ridge.
Additional Activities
Hunua Falls Camp and the surrounding area provide a natural base for a wide range of outdoor pursuits, such as archery, canoeing, golf, horse riding and mountain biking. To find out more, including recommended activity providers, see activity providers and destinations below.
The convenient location of Hunua Falls Camp makes it easy to extend your group’s activities by employing an independent adventure company, or visiting one of the nearby commercial attractions. Many of our visiting groups hire experienced adventure company specialists for onsite activities such as mountain or bmx bike riding, canoeing and archery.
Bigfoot Adventures
Bigfoot Adventures is an experienced adventure company, with qualified staff and well-maintained equipment. They are very familiar with Houghtons Bush Camp, the nearby lake and surrounding forest.
Stress Free Adventures
Specialists in canoeing, climbing, abseiling, biking and caving, Stress Free Adventures provides instruction, equipment and safety plans. Their customers include school, social and business groups of all ages. SFA will operate onsite at camp.
Miranda Hot Springs
Treat yourself to three thermally heated mineral water pools. The largest pool is 47m by 17m so there’s plenty of room for energetic fun. Or you can sneak away to one of the four private spa pools. An onsite food outlet and barbecue area offer a choice of catering options. The complex is 45km from camp and is open from 9am to 9:30pm, seven days a week.
Rainbows End
New Zealand’s largest theme park promises all the thrills you can handle with a host of fun activities and world class rides. Strap yourself into a corkscrew rollercoaster, fall 18 stories or practise your driving skills in a dodgem car. There are also special rides for the younger ones. Rainbows End is a 30-minute drive from camp and is open from 10am daily. Look for the group discounts.
Clevedon Animal Farm
Experience rural life through a guided farm walk, horse and donkey rides plus a trained animal show. You can even try your hand at a few farming chores. There’s a sheltered area for picnics, educational programmes for schools, easy bus access and facilities for visitors.
Whitford Park Golf Club
This magnificent 18-hole par 71 championship golf course has always maintained a relaxed family atmosphere. Practice facilities are available and visiting players are welcome. Bookings are essential. The club is also a popular function venue, offering catering options for small groups or up to 200 people. Whitford Park is 20km from camp.
Red Alert Paint Ball Games
Leadership, teamwork, strategy and shooting skills all come to the fore in this action-packed adventure attraction. All safety gear is provided. With barbecues and a sheltered eating area, Red Alert caters for groups of all sizes. They’re located 16km from camp.