- Short loop track at Scott Point, Mahurangi East Regional Park, off Ridge Road
- Passes the restored 1877 Scott Homestead, right on the beach
- One steady climb through light bush, then a stretch back along the road
- Dogs on leash in the park, but not allowed in the homestead grounds or on neighbouring Casnell Island
- Parking is tight on weekends, go midweek if you can
Quick facts
| Location | Scott Point, Mahurangi East Regional Park, Ridge Road |
| Distance | 2.1 km Short loop track |
| Time | About 40 to 60 minutes, depending on how long you spend at the homestead and the lookout |
| Track type | Loop, partly on the road |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate, one steady climb, can be muddy underfoot |
| Dogs | On leash across the park, beach and foreshore. Not allowed in the grounds or buildings of Scott Homestead, Ferguson House or Baileys Cottage, and not allowed on the neighbouring Mahurangi Scenic Reserve or Casnell Island |
| Parking | Good parking at the Scotts Landing boat ramp and jetty on Ridge Road, but it gets tight on busy weekends |
| Toilets | Yes, close to the jetty |
| Tide | Check tide times if you want to walk the low tide causeway to Casnell Island |
Getting there
Scott Point is part of Mahurangi East Regional Park, reached via Ridge Road, Mahurangi. It is a separate road from Mahurangi West Road, and this side of the harbour is currently reachable by car rather than only by boat like much of Mahurangi East, though it is worth checking the current rules since road access out this way can change. There is good parking at the Scotts Landing boat ramp and jetty on Ridge Road. I have been here on a weekday with plenty of space, and on a weekend when it was packed out and I had to park further up the road.
The walk
I walked this on a day when the tide was in, and it made the water along the first stretch of beach really clear and pretty. I could not get any further down the beach or across to the low tide walkway to Casnell Island, which would have been good fun, so if that is on your list, time it around the tide.
Toilets are right by the jetty, and it is a short stroll from the carpark to the restored Scott Homestead. The walk goes down the right side of the house and into light bush. Do not wear your best shoes, the track gets wet and a bit muddy.
From there it is a steady climb up to a T junction. Take the right fork for a short distance to a lookout with good views, then double back and take the left path. Keep walking straight ahead from here, there are tracks that peel off to the left but they just shortcut the walk and drop you back on the road early. Stay on the main track until you meet the road yourself, then it is a pleasant walk back down the hill to the jetty.
What you will see
The Scott Homestead is the reason most people come here. Thomas Scott Jr built it in 1877 as a family home, and it was not long before it became a hotel and boarding house. It is hard to picture now, but this quiet point was once a busy stop on the Mahurangi.
The Scott family arrived in 1849 to build ships. Thomas Scott Sr ran an inn here called the Richmond Arms, which doubled as the local post office, until it burned down in the early 1870s. Back then the Mahurangi was full of activity, timber milling, boatbuilding, firewood cutting and trade, all of it reliant on the water. Steamers ran day trips and weekend getaways from Auckland and pulled up at the wharf below the house. Upstairs the walls are just one board thick, so guests back then did not get much privacy.
The Scotts lived here until around 1912, and their descendants kept the house as a holiday home for the next 50 years. By 1971 it was close to being demolished. Civic Trust Auckland took over the lease, and volunteers spent more than 20 years restoring the house and grounds to what you see today.
Who it is for
This suits families, casual walkers and anyone keen on local history more than people chasing a big scenic hike. The climb is short enough for most fitness levels, and the beach and homestead make it worth the trip even if the bush section itself is fairly ordinary.
When to go
Check the tide times before you go if you want to walk the causeway to Casnell Island at low tide. Weekdays are far easier for parking. Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet and muddy on the bush section.
Important stuff
- Dogs are allowed on leash at all times across the park, beach and foreshore areas of Scott Point
- Dogs are not allowed in the grounds or inside the buildings of Scott Homestead, Ferguson House or Baileys Cottage
- Dogs are not allowed on the neighbouring Mahurangi Scenic Reserve or on Casnell Island
- Toilets are near the jetty
- Parking at the Scotts Landing boat ramp and jetty is good during the week but fills up fast on weekends
- The bush section can be wet and muddy, wear suitable shoes
Common questions
Can you take dogs on Scott Point Track?
Yes, on leash, across the park, beach and foreshore. Dogs are not allowed in the grounds or buildings of Scott Homestead, Ferguson House or Baileys Cottage, or on the neighbouring Mahurangi Scenic Reserve and Casnell Island.
Is Scott Point good for mountain biking?
Mountain biking is allowed on the open farmland and tracks unless signs say otherwise, but it is not really mountain bike friendly. Most tracks cross farm paddocks and go through a lot of closed gates.
Can you walk to Casnell Island?
There is a walkway that is only exposed at low tide. You need the tide out to cross it, at high tide the water cuts it off.
How long does Scott Point Track take?
Around 40 to 60 minutes for the loop, depending on how long you spend at the homestead and the lookout.
Is there parking at Scott Point?
Yes, at the Scotts Landing boat ramp and jetty on Ridge Road. It is easy during the week but gets tight on weekends, when you may need to park further up the road.
My honest take
I did this walk on a day when the tide was in, which made the first stretch of beach really pretty with clear water. I would like to go back on a low tide to get further down the beach and across to Casnell Island. The homestead is the highlight for me, it is beautifully restored and it is wild to think people once lived right there on the beach like that. The bush climb and the walk back along the road are pleasant enough but not what I would call a stunning walk on their own. It is the old house and the little beach that make it worth the stop.
