INFO TENT: Orange gazebo where AHE volunteers can help you find your feet. Collect info about upcoming events, membership, linking into your local group, etc. It’s also the registration area and meeting place for the day’s on-site activities.

LOCAL GROUPS: If you have a sign or flag with your name (eg, East Auckland) to place near you and are happy to say Hi to a newbie, that would be great.

RAIN DATE: There isn’t one – only actual heavy & wild weather will put us off. That hasn’t happened in 11 years!  You could check Metservice but it’s not particularly reliable. One year, the forecast was “cloudy, rain at times” but was actually perfect weather!

BEHAVIOUR: Kindness & respect is the order of the day so ensure your family is supervised & knows the rules. Any issues should be notified to an AHE volunteer at the Info Tent – we need to know!

SITE: We have a special Permit from Auckland Council to use the site. Please ensure you and your family respect its facilities & the public’s right to use them while we’re there. There’s a great playground, flying fox, skateboard park, a few BBQ tables, adjacent flat green space.  Toilets are near the skateboard area or outside Stardome Observatory (please do not ask inside unless you’re making a paid visit!).

GETTING THERE: An easy 4km off State Highway 1 (Greenlane exit). Here’s a map. Call MAXX on (09) 366-6400 or 0800 10 30 80 for public transport options.  Buses stop outside the park gates; a train station’s not too far away if you can arrange for pick-up.

PARKING: Our Permit restricts parking to the public roads around the site, eg, Manukau Road, etc. The on-site playground & Stardome car parks are for the general public’s use only unless you have injured or disabled passengers (not the “lots of children” excuse!). Your co-operation is needed to avoid risking future permits.