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Home›Destinations›Riverhead
OceaniaNew ZealandAuckland

Riverhead

Auckland, New Zealand · Oceania

About Riverhead

Riverhead works well as a base: 5 minutes from Kumeu, 16km from Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Riverhead is a town located in Auckland, New Zealand. With a population of 3,700, it is an important destination in Oceania.

On a road trip, Riverhead sits in New Zealand, where you drive on the left. It's in the Pacific/Auckland time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Riverhead to your route.

About Riverhead

Riverhead is a small, historically predominantly working-class town located at the head of the Waitematā Harbour in the north-west of Auckland, New Zealand. It is located on the northwestern shores of the Upper Waitematā Harbour, north-east of the towns of Kumeū and Huapai. Traditionally known as Rangitōpuni, the area

Read more was an important transportation link for Tāmaki Māori, due to Te Tōangaroa, a portage where waka could be hauled between the Kaipara Harbour and the Waitematā Harbour. European settlement began in 1844 when a kauri mill was established at Riverhead, and the settlement became an important port for reaching the Kaipara Harbour from the 1850s. Riverhead developed as a community in the 1860s around the mill, which had been converted into the largest flour mill in the wider Auckland area. In 1874, a railway between Kumeū and Riverhead along the route of the Te Tōangaroa portage, which helped develop Riverhead and the Kumeū River valley areas, and closed in 1881 when a direct railway between Helensville and Auckland bypassed Riverhead. Riverhead became an important centre for the kauri gum trade from the 1880s until the early 20th century, and in 1927, an exotic Pinus radiata forest called the Riverhead Forest was established to the north of the town.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Riverhead

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Riverhead?

Riverhead offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Riverhead?

Plan your road trip to Riverhead with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Riverhead as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Riverhead located?

Riverhead is located in Auckland, New Zealand, Oceania. The coordinates are -36.7500 latitude, 174.6000 longitude.

What is the population of Riverhead?

Riverhead has a population of approximately 3,700 people, making it a town in New Zealand.

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Quick Information

Population
3,700
Continent
Oceania
Country
New Zealand
Region
Auckland
Timezone
Pacific/Auckland
Coordinates
-36.7500, 174.6000

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in New Zealand

Police
111
Ambulance
111
Fire
111
Non-emergency police
105
Driving side
left

Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.

Full driving guide for New Zealand

Tags

OceaniaNew ZealandAucklandTown

Worth the detour from Riverhead

6 notable places within an hour's drive.

bridge

Auckland Harbour Bridge

The eight-lane icon spanning Waitematā Harbour since 1959, carrying SH1 into downtown Auckland with skyline and gulf views: thrill-seekers can climb it or bungy jump off it.

16 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Auckland Zoo

New Zealand's largest zoo with native wildlife including kiwi alongside exotic species from around the globe.

17 km · about 20 min drive

landmark

Sky Tower

328-metre observation and telecommunications tower dominating the Auckland skyline, New Zealand's tallest man-made structure.

18 km · about 20 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Muriwai Gannet Colony

Around 1,200 pairs of Australasian gannets nest on a cliff shelf and sea stack west of Auckland, with viewing platforms placed metres from the birds. Occupied roughly August to March.

18 km · about 20 min drive

beach

Piha Beach

Auckland's wild west coast surf beach, dominated by the iconic Lion Rock and powerful black-sand breakers.

26 km · about 30 min drive

beach

Karekare Beach

A vast black-sand beach beneath the Waitakere Ranges, where The Piano was filmed, with a waterfall in the bush behind the car park. Wilder and emptier than neighbouring Piha.

29 km · about 35 min drive

Driving roads near Riverhead

  • 16 kmAuckland Harbour BridgeThe eight-lane icon spanning Waitematā Harbour since 1959, carrying SH1 into downtown Auckland with skyline and gulf views: thrill-seekers can climb it or bungy jump off it.
  • 18 kmMuriwai Gannet ColonyAround 1,200 pairs of Australasian gannets nest on a cliff shelf and sea stack west of Auckland, with viewing platforms placed metres from the birds. Occupied roughly August to March.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Riverhead.

Kumeu

🇳🇿 New Zealand

4 km awayPop. 8,510

Paremoremo

🇳🇿 New Zealand

6 km awayPop. 3,360

West Harbour

🇳🇿 New Zealand

8 km awayPop. 12,060

Greenhithe

🇳🇿 New Zealand

8 km awayPop. 8,820

Beach Haven

🇳🇿 New Zealand

8 km awayPop. 11,000

Schnapper Rock

🇳🇿 New Zealand

8 km awayPop. 4,300

Massey East

🇳🇿 New Zealand

9 km awayPop. 22,210

Waimauku

🇳🇿 New Zealand

9 km awayPop. 1,320

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence