Scotts Landing is a community at the southern tip of a narrow strip of land that juts out from Mahurangi Peninsula in the Auckland region and lies between Mahurangi Harbour to the west and Te Kapa River to the east. In reality, Kapa River is a broad mix of tidal lagoon and river mouth that feeds into the southeast end of the harbour.
Apart from a wharf at the end of the road, with some car parks, there are no substantial services. However, there are houses, lifestyle blocks, and accommodation options.
The end of the road offers a gorgeous surprise: a small disconnected section of Mahurangi Regional Park, with the historic Scott Homestead, surrounded by a large grassed picnic area and fronted by a very attractive beach. The beach is lined by some of the biggest macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) trees you will find in New Zealand. The park and beach are accessible via a short boardwalk from the wharf, and a longer track leads through regrowth forest to the road. Swimming is safe, and it is a short walk to nearby Casnell Island as the tide goes out. DOC controls the island, and there is an unmarked path onto the island, a short distance along the west side.
Scotts Landing is accessed on Ridge Road from Mahurangi East Road. The road follows a ridge with outstanding views of the green, rugged peninsula, harbour, and river.
The area played a role in the early European settlement of the region. It was initially established as the village of Mahurangi, and this name still appears on Topo Maps, even though it is now referred to as Scott Landing or Mahurangi East.
Much of the region was covered by mature forests at the time of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Europeans were already working with local Māori to harvest lumber and collect firewood for the new town of Auckland, including John Sullivan, who established himself at Otarawao (Sullivans) Bay at the southern side of the harbour. After the Mahurangi Purchase in 1841, the cutting of the forests accelerated, and Philip Charles Dyer set up a mill at Dyer's Creek on the west side of the harbour and shipped timber to Auckland. Somewhat later, his life fell apart, and he murdered his mistress, Elizabeth Battersea. He was executed at Mount Eden Prison in 1874.
Scotts Landing became an important transit point for timber, and in 1852, Thomas Scott, a shipbuilder, built the first Scott homestead. The family also operated an inn known as the Richmond Arms. Both the inn and the house burned down in the 1870s. In 1877, Thomas Scott (junior) built the Georgian house that still stands today. By 1881, the family provided accommodation in the house for visitors to the Waiwera hot springs. The Mahurangi regatta also became a major summer event. The Scott family continued to use the house for holidays until 1971, when Auckland City purchased it for Mahurangi Regional Park. The homestead was in a poor state, but a trust was established, and volunteers restored it.
The house is not open to the public, but you can walk around the grounds and garden. Although there is no camping in the park, you can rent a bach, Baileys Cottage.
