Scenic Drive mostly follows the winding route of one of the main ridge lines of the Waitākere Ranges, Auckland. From Titirangi, it runs from 200m to 400m above sea level and then drops down at the edge of the range in Swanson.
The road was built in the 1930s, at the tail end of the decimation of the native forest in the Ranges by logging and farming. Logging included destroying most of the old-growth Kauri forests that dominated the region.
Fortunately, much of the area was being converted to parks around the time the road was constructed. The result, 100 years on, is substantial native forest recovery. The 20km Scenic Drive provides the main route through the regenerating forest.
A few hours spent on the Scenic Drive gives you a sense of the colonial and post-colonial history of the ranges. There is also the rugged terrain, native forests and walking tracks. These include the Arataki Nature Trail, the Cutty Grass Track, Large Kauri Tree, Spragg Bush Track, and Waitakere Reservoir. Several points provide fabulous views across the range to downtown Auckland and out to the west coast. These include Rose Hellaby House, Parkinson Lookout and Pukematekeo.
Scenic Drive is best accessed from downtown Auckland from Titirangi village at the southeast end. Then, drive northwest and exit on Swanson Road at the northwest end. Allow about 20 minutes from downtown to get to Scenic Drive and avoid rush hour!
