Skip the long traffic queues weaving their way out of Auckland and head to Auckland’s North Shore.
What’s new? Check out Takapuna’s town centre, catch a ride to ferry wharf at Northcote Point, skatepark in Glenfield, destination playground on Devonport’s waterfront and impressive bush track upgrades in the Birkenhead area, to name a few.
Add in some of the best swimming beaches in the region and you've got yourself a pretty sweet summer staycation sorted.
Glenfield skatepark
Marlborough Park’s skatepark is the largest and arguably coolest on the North Shore. Other attractions include a new junior playground, flying fox, youth hall and new basketball court.
Destination Devonport
As far as playgrounds go, North Shore has two of the best around – the uber popular Takapuna Beach playground, and the Bean Rock Lighthouse inspired playground on Devonport’s waterfront.
At its centre, is a 7.9-metre high tower inspired by the historic Bean Rock Lighthouse. Surrounding that, is an array of coastal elements, including an inter-tidal-reef-themed group spinner and rocker, balance springers, a crawl tunnel and rope climb, an air swing, and a three-bay swing.
The playground is suited to children up to 12 years of age.
Le Roys Bush Wonderland
Escape the summer heat by taking a bushwalk through Wai Manawa / Le Roys Bush – North Shore’s largest urban forest.
Wai Manawa / Le Roys Bush is a nature lover's paradise located between Birkenhead village and Northcote’s Little Shoal Bay. It provides a fantastic native bush experience with plenty of tall Kauri and Totara, a waterfall, wetlands, and loads of Tui, Fantail and Kererū to both see and hear.
Improvement works on the track have delivered an even more impressive experience with large wooden boardwalks, bridges and improved stairs. In order to protect our precious native taonga, always stick to the track and use the provided shoe cleaning stations provided.
The walk takes around an hour to complete. Access to the track is located across the road from the Birkenhead Library, or at the back of Dudding Park in Northcote’s Little Shoal Bay.
Castor Bay’s Stairway to Heaven
Check out Castor Bay’s Kennedy Park and its legendary 120 step staircase to the beach below. With spectacular coastal views across the Waitematā Harbour to Rangitoto Island and beyond, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Kennedy Park has a children's playground and sandpit area covered by shade sails, along with established trees that provide shade for a picnic.
Kennedy Park is also an area rich in Māori and military history. There is an ancient Māori pā site (Rahopara Pā) dating back hundreds of years and you’ll also get to sight several historic WWII tunnels and gun emplacement areas from the beach.
Summer events aplenty
There are events aplenty, big and small, planned to take place across the North Shore throughout summer.
To find out what’s on offer, visit OurAuckland events.