Āwhitu Regional Park is a coastal park at the quiet end of the Awhitu Peninsula in Franklin, carrying a strong 4.6 Google rating from visitors who make the trip out.
Regional parks in this part of the country are working farmland as much as parkland, so expect grazing sheep and cattle, stiles and gates, and the odd electric fence — leave stock alone and keep dogs well clear of grazing areas, where they are usually banned altogether. Facilities are often basic, with few shops or drinking fountains, so bring water and take rubbish home, and check closing times, since gates are typically locked at dusk and some tracks close for lambing in spring. Tide times matter too if a beach is part of the plan, as harbour-side sand can be at its best near low water.
The winding drive out through Franklin's back roads is half the day, and a well-rated park like this is a fair reward at the end of it.