Discover Riverhead

Riverhead can be explored in different ways: on a trip along sheltered waterways, on a walking path around sports fields, or by enjoying the offerings of a farm café and adventure park. The nearby Riverhead Forest also adds its own highlight. These contrasts give you specific pointers to help you plan your trip around what you want to experience on site.

River history and a meal by the water

The Riverhead is described as New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern and has a 160-year history. The property includes an à la carte restaurant. Its outdoor terrace is surrounded by 100-year-old oak trees and offers a view of the river. This historic tavern is thus closely connected to the river landscape.

A Riverhead Tavern cruise travels along sheltered waterways and reaches the tavern after 1.5 hours. The journey and its destination are part of the same outing; this is different from a walk on land. Check the cruise’s duration and operating schedule before your trip.

Walking in the park and nearby forest

In Riverhead War Memorial Park, a 1.8-metre-wide walking path runs around the sports fields. It offers its own way to spend time outdoors, with the sports fields as a landmark. The nearby Riverhead Forest is also close to the destination: dense pine stands, open clearings and winding gravel tracks shape the landscape.

There is parking at several forest edges, especially near the entry points on Forestry Road and Saddleback Road. Do not block any forestry access gates. Navigation in the forest may change due to forestry activities, so pay attention to current signage. The park path and the forest differ in character: in the park, the described walking path runs around the sports fields, while the forest offers a different landscape of pines, clearings and gravel tracks.

Berries, activities and a farm café

At Good Planet, pick-your-own is available seasonally. The selection includes strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries and blueberries. The range of berries makes picking a specific focus of this visit; plan for it as a seasonal offering.

Good Planet also has an adventure park and a water play park with inflatable slides, trampolines and zip lines. Some activities are weather-dependent. The offerings also include a farm café with fruit ice cream, hot drinks and smoothies, as well as a fresh seasonal selection for breakfast, brunch and lunch. At Good Planet, picking, activities and food cater to different interests.

Riverhead as a starting point for planning your trip

When looking for accommodation in Riverhead, you can put your preferred focus first: the river cruise to the tavern, the walking path in War Memorial Park, the landscape of the nearby forest, or the offerings at Good Planet. These experiences differ in their nature and setting. Keep their respective conditions in mind: berry picking is seasonal, some activities are weather-dependent, and you should check the cruise’s duration and operating schedule before your trip.

Discover more travel destinations

Discover more travel destinations: Papakura, Waiwera, Waiuku, Helensville, Hunua, Warkworth, Parakai, Karaka

Back to the main travel overview: Auckland.