Discover the North Shore City Beaches & Parks of New Zealand

Long Bay

Long Bay Regional Park is a popular destination and offers a sweeping expanse of sand surrounded by the Hauraki Gulf and adjoining marine reserve. As well as the beach there are bush and coastal walks, sea kayaking, the historic Vaughan homestead, a restaurant and kiosk, barbecue and picnic sites and children's play area - complete with miniature train and flying fox. The beach has safe swimming and toilets and changing rooms are nearby. Bookings are advised for the barbecue and picnic sites and can be made by calling Auckland Regional Council’s Parksline on 303 1530.

Waiake Bay

Waiake Beach in Torbay has a boat ramp and is popular with locals who often moor their boats in the bay. It has a small playground, toilets and changing rooms.

Browns Bay

Close to the large shopping centre, Browns Bay Beach is safe for family swimming and barbecues. There is parking behind the shopping centre adjacent to the beach and a large playground for the children. Boats can be launched from the beach and there is a ski lane off the shore. For keen skateboarders there is a ramp on the reserve area. Facilities include a large toilet and changing block, as well as cafés overlooking the beachfront.

Rothesay Bay

This small beach is rock-free and provides safe swimming for keen beachgoers and families. There is a large grass area with a playground for children and a small toilet block close by.

Murrays Bay

This beach is home to the Murrays Bay Sailing Club and is a safe swimming beach for the family. It has its own wharf and a walkway leading along the cliff top with spectacular views of the coastline. There is an adjacent grass reserve and toilet block.

Mairangi Bay

North Shore City's only beach with its own professional lifeguard, is home to the Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club. People are able to launch small dinghies and jet skis from the beach but should be aware of swimmers. There is a playground for the children, a small grass reserve area and a toilet block. The Mairangi Bay shopping centre is close by and there is additional parking behind the shops and along the beachfront.

Campbells Bay

A smaller neighbourhood beach which offers safe swimming for the family. There is a playground for children, small toilet block, and small boats can be launched off the beach. The shopping centre is close by and there is adequate parking.

Castor Bay

Offers safe, sheltered swimming just down from Campbells Bay. It has a boat ramp and plenty of shade, a jungle gym and a small toilet block. It is a quiet beach and ideal for children.

Milford Beach

Milford Beach is a popular family beach with a large grassed area and areas for beach volleyball. It has a children's playground and a toilet block. It is also home to a marina, sea scouts and the Milford Cruising Club. There is a boat ramp and parking off Milford Road.

Thorne Bay

Thorne Bay, between Milford and Takapuna beaches, is accessible only by foot.

Takapuna Beach

Takapuna is a very popular beach close to the business area with good parking and a large boat ramp. There are toilets and a changing block, as well as a picnic area. On a clear day enjoy great views of the volcanic island of Rangitoto and other Hauraki Gulf islands.

St Leonards Beach

St Leonards is a private, sheltered beach with a small sand area, high cliffs and rock shelving. The beach is good for swimming and is accessible from Takapuna beach at low tide. Steep steps also lead down to the beach from behind Takapuna Grammar.

Narrow Neck Beach

Close to Devonport, Narrow Neck is a large beach within easy access. It is a popular, safe swimming beach with a children's playground and a shop on the reserve. Picnic and barbecue facilities are provided. A sailing club is based here so enjoy the yacht racing off the beach.

Cheltenham Beach

Cheltenham is a safe tidal beach, also in Devonport, and is popular with families. It has a long stretch of beach and grassed areas for picnics away from the sand. There is also a toilet block and easy access to North Head. The restaurant here is a popular reception venue.

Torpedo Bay

Torpedo Bay on the harbourside of the city has a boat ramp and wharf. The access area features a grass bank, a stone retaining wall and reasonably steep access to a rocky/shelly area.

Devonport

This is a good swimming beach with Devonport Yacht Club moorings and a pontoon. Close to the shopping centre, there is fishing off the wharf and plenty of parking. A children's playground is on the adjacent reserve as well as a petanque pitch.

Stanley Bay

Stanley Bay is on the harbourside of the city and has a very high tide. The area is exposed to westerlies and has toilets, a stone retaining wall and steep access.

Bayswater

Bayswater has a stunning marina at the western tip of the peninsula. The area is good for wind and kite surfing. On the northern side of the peninsula there are a number of streets that provide access to small beach reserves.

Little Shoal Bay

Little Shoal Bay has safe tidal swimming and boating, with a launching ramp and haul out area, as well as a barbecue and adjacent reserve.

Chelsea Bay, Kendall Bay, Soldier Bay

Chelsea Bay, Kendall Bay and Soldiers Bay in Birkenhead have no facilities and can only be accessed by foot, with tidal swimming only.

Island Bay, Beach Haven

Island Bay and Hilders Park (Beach Haven Point) are used by locals for swimming and launching boats. Toilets are provided. Beach Haven wharf offers good fishing. There is a play area for children, toilets and a park at the top of the hill.

Explore PARKS in the North Shore City area:

Awaruku Bush

Awaruku Bush is accessed from Awaruku Road and Relko Crescent in the northern reaches of the city at Torbay. A feature of this reserve is the self guided nature trail.

Centennial Park

Centennial Park, located on Beach and Rae Roads, Campbells Bay, has a nature trail and wonderful views of the harbour. It is also a popular spot for watching yachts sailing in the gulf.

Chatswood Reserve

Chatswood Reserve in Birkenhead is a remnant of the kauri/hard beech forest that once covered much of North Shore City. Some large kauri remain aged approx. 350 to 400 years. The reserve is botanically rich and is reached from 17 entrances from surrounding streets.

Eskdale Park

Eskdale Park, on the corner of Lauderdale and Eskdale Roads in Glenfield is a composite of many parks. It features a two hour return walk past the old cemetery, boardwalks and early regenerating bush as well as mature forest.

Fernglen native plant gardens

Fernglen native plant gardens is a jewel among North Shore City's many public and private gardens and is located on the extension of Kauri Road, Birkenhead. These gardens are open daily 9am-4pm and feature a unique collection of NZ native ferns and plants. The property was bought by the Fisher family in 1888 and purchased by the then Birkenhead City Council in 1989.

Kauri Glen

Kauri Glen, located on Kauri Glen Road by Northcote College features large kauri trees, taraire forest and the Waiurutoa Stream. Walkers can enjoy a loop track which takes one and a half hours. Adjoining Kauri Glen is Cecil Eady Bush, where the walk takes one hour. Make sure you watch for the deep ruts in the undergrowth, a legacy from the bullock teams that used to haul out the kauri logs last century.

Kauri Park

Kauri Park, in Rangatira Road, Birkenhead, has fine stands of large kauri trees with the oldest examples to be found in the north of the park. The walking track is a one and a half hour return trip. This park is noted for seasonal changes in its rich mix of ferns and flowering species, including native orchids.

Kauri Point Centennial Park

Kauri Point Centennial Park is accessible off Onetaunga Road, and has walks that take you to the tranquil beach of Kendall Bay. Several lookouts afford good views of the harbour. Here is the only remaining example of a fortified pa on Waitemata Harbour. Some of the land was originally owned by Sir John Logan Campbell. Much of the land was taken for harbour and defence purposes earlier this century. In 1987, 22 hectares were purchased from the Harbour Board to form the present park. Wetlands and regenerating native bush are a feature.

Kawerau Reserve

Kawerau Reserve, Kawerau Avenue, Bayswater, has a boardwalk and bridge providing access to the wetland areas. It is suitable for wheelchairs and prams.

Killarney Park

Killarney Park is home to the Pumphouse in Takapuna and is a pleasant setting for outdoor concerts or for feeding the ducks.

Le Roys Bush

Le Roys Bush's entrance is between 210 and 212 Onewa Road. There is a walking track of one hour from Onewa Road to Little Shoal Bay, which affords views of notable trees, bush and a waterfall. Children will enjoy the play equipment.

Long Bay Regional Park

Long Bay Regional Park is part of the Auckland Regional Parks network and has a wonderful setting. The long white sandy beach is complemented by picnic and barbecue areas, adventure playgrounds, miniature railway and a restaurant. There are cliff top and beach walks for a leisurely stroll or keen tramp. The Long Bay Okura Marine Reserve is a new feature. Phone ARC Parksline on 303 1530 for information or bookings.

Mt Cambria (Takaroro)

Mt Cambria (Takaroro), accessible from Vauxhall Road and Church Street, Devonport, was originally a volcanic cone which was quarried away to provide roading, garden walls, and ships ballast. The Mt Cambria restoration was recognised with a national award for park design and construction in 1992. The area has gardens, walkways, and is home to the Devonport Museum. A feature is the hand-crafted steps up and over the precipitous bluffs of the old quarry. Mt Cambria Walk is a tribute to people who have helped shape Devonport.

Mt Victoria (Takarunga)

Mt Victoria (Takarunga) in Devonport is one of the seven volcanoes that Auckland was founded on. It affords spectacular views of the city and harbour and an interpretative map of the Hauraki Gulf is on the summit. The hill was occupied by the Kawerau and terraces and pits are still visible on the northern and eastern slopes. The grave of noted Maori chief Eru Patuone, The Peacemaker, is on the lower slope. One of the bunkers built in 1885 now houses the Devonport Folk Music Club. Vehicle access is from Kerr Street in Devonport. Mt Victoria closes at 6.30pm Thursday to Saturday.

Ngataringa Walkway

Ngataringa Walkway extends across the Devonport peninsula from Ngataringa Bay to Narrow Neck Beach. From the northern end of Victoria Road a path leads down to Ngataringa Park. A wide track extends around to Lake Road and across onto the Seabreeze Road side of Alison Park, past the duck pond to Woodall Park and across old Lake Road to Narrow Neck Beach where there are toilets and changing rooms for the disabled, a barbecue, and a children's playground at Ngataringa Park. The maze is unique to the area, depicting the transition in time from the stone gardens of the Maori through to the European influences. It can be described as a moko on the land.

Northcote Point Walk

Take a leisurely stroll through historic Northcote Point, with its many old villas, a beautiful coastline and spectacular views. Northcote Point is one of the city’s most interesting heritage areas and today, enjoys the advantages of a small backwater close to the city.

North Head (Takapuna) Historic Reserve

North Head (Takapuna) Historic Reserve in Devonport is the only mainland reserve included in the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. It is open 6am -10pm seven days, with the vehicle gates open 6am - 6pm. Tunnels and disappearing guns tempt the adventurous to explore while superb views are afforded of the harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. North Head was first occupied by Maori and later by Europeans who built many of the fortifications in the late 1800s. Note the disappearing guns, some of the few remaining in the world. North Head is maintained by the Department of Conservation.

North Shore Literary Walk

North Shore has established literary walks around Devonport, Takapuna and Castor Bay. The walks provide the perfect opportunity to find out about well-known authors who live or have lived in the city, and have to some extent been inspired by our city’s unique environment. A guide outlining the walks looks at some of the authors’ writings and guides people past places of literary significance in our city.

Okura

Okura in the north of the city is a Department of Conservation reserve which is accessed from Haighs Access Road. There is a 9km track walk or a three hour return trip which takes in historic Dacre Cottage.

Rahopara Reserve

The tapu (sacred) Rahopara Reserve (accessible from Kennedy Park) features a unique viewing platform with stunning views of the Hauraki Gulf. The site, a pa or fortified village, has historic and cultural significance and the design includes traditional Maori palisade/stockade-style fencing through the trenches of the old pa site. The viewing platform was also crafted in the Maori style and features specially carved poles. Rahopara Reserve is a short walk from the southern end of Kennedy Park in North Shore City.

Smith's Bush

Smith's Bush is on Northcote Road with its main entrance from Onewa Domain. Here the 40 minute nature trail leads past a cathedral grove of giant puriri. Kahikatea and totara feature as well.

Sylvan Park

Sylvan Park on the Milford side of Lake Pupuke is a popular base for sailing and rowing events. It has walks and a barbecue area.

Takapuna-Milford Walk

The popular Takapuna-Milford Walk guides you past historic interest points, known locally as Takapuna’s ‘Golden Mile’. While a considerable amount of expensive development has happened along this stretch over recent decades, much of its historic architecture, flora and geology has been preserved and makes for a fascinating landscape.

All information on this page was obtained from the official North Shore City Council website

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