Riverhead and the Riverhead Tavern

Riverhead is at the head of the Waitemata Harbour. This is as far west as you can go by boat. For a short time in the nineteenth century (1875 to 1881) Riverhead was a railway terminus at the eastern end of the isolated Kumeu-Riverhead Section. Riverhead was where the ferry connected to the railway. The link was no longer needed when the North Auckland Line connected Kumeu with Auckland.
The Riverhead Tavern has been here since 1857. It is up and running after recently changing hands, providing hospitality to locals as well as visitors who arrive via road or water.
A little known fact about this funky little town is that it is a some-time movie star, having parts of 'The Bridge to Terabitha', 'Crooked Earth,' and a few TV shows filmed here. A nearby pine forest is popular with mountain bikers. In summer months Redboats operate return cruises on the MV Hogwash from Westhaven in central Auckland to Riverhead. Timing is tide dependent and the journey takes an hour and a half.

Riverhead by Karl Maughan