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Shakespear
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Park Activities

Farm animals
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Farm animals

Shakespear Park is a working farm where you will find cattle and sheep.

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Beaches
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Beaches

There are three beaches, Te Haruhi, Army Bay and Okoromai Bay.

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Dogs
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Dogs

Dogs are only permitted in the area between Army Bay and Okoromai Bay, but not between 9am and 7pm during daylight savings. Dogs are prohibited at all times from Te Haruhi Bay, farmland and adjoining beaches.

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Swimming
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Swimming

All beachers are suitable for swimming, Okoromai Bay is better at high tide.

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Kayaking
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Kayaking

The best launch points are Army Bay and Okoromai Bay.

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Weddings
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Weddings

There is a weddding site available for booking which overlooks Te Haruhi Bay.

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Tracks

Lookout Track
30 minutes / 3 km
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Lookout Track

Bike Ride
Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 3 km

Biking is allowed on this track and other areas of the park. There is clear signage which states wher you are NOT permitted to ride.

Pram friendly: No

Lookout Track
60 minutes / 3 km
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Lookout Track

Walk
Time: 60 minutes
Distance: 3 km

One of the park's highlights is the 360-degree view of Auckland's City skyline, the islands of the Hauraki Gulf and Wenderholm and Mahurangi regional parks from the lookout. This walk includes one steep area.

Pram friendly: No

Tiri Tiri Track
120 minutes / 5 km
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Tiri Tiri Track

Walk
Time: 120 minutes
Distance: 5 km

From the carpark at Te Haruhi Bay this track heads along the beach, past the campground and an old Maori settlement area at the eastern end of the bay. Continue along the cliff line for the best view of Tiritiri Matangi Island and return via the park's main lookout.

Pram friendly: No

Heritage Trail
120 minutes / 4 km
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Heritage Trail

Walk
Time: 120 minutes
Distance: 4 km

A fascinating walk with interpretive panels that begins at the Waterfall Gully carpark and take sin historic sites, a WWII gun emplacement, native forest, farmland, spectacular views over Auckland, and a wetland.

Pram friendly: No

Print view

Shakespear

Shakespear Regional Park is located on the scenic Whangaparaoa Peninsula, 40 minutes from Auckland City.

The park offers a sanctuary with magnificent panoramic views. The inner Hauraki Gulf can be admired in all its glory and Auckland City can be seen on the horizon.

Birds from nearby Tiritiri Matangi Island sanctuary have migrated across to the regenerating native forest on Shakespear. You can hear bellbirds and see the occasional kakariki. In the spring you are able to enjoy the newborn lambs amongst the expansive rural pastural setting.

At Te Haruhi Bay the resident peacocks display. White-faced herons, stilts and dotterels frequent the tidal flats of Okoromai Bay, and tui and native pigeons flourish in the regenerating forest of Waterfall Gully.

The first steps have been taken towards establishing an Open Sanctuary at Shakespear.

Park facilities

Camping
Te Haruhi Bay campsite has toilets, a food preparation area, drinking water and a cold outdoor shower. more...
Campervan access
Campervans can stay up to two nights in the Te Haruhi car park.
Picnics sites
There are five bookable sites for groups and casual sites also available. more...
Lodges
Shakespear Lodge is managed by YMCA, phone (09) 424 7111

Wildlife

With the island sanctuary of Tiritiri Matangi just across the water, Shakespear Regional Park is considered an ideal home for endangered native birds. Already bellbirds have crossed from Tiri and established a breeding colony in the park. To help protect native species predator numbers are kept down, wetlands are being restored and native trees planted in the valleys. The parrots kakariki and kaka are amoung native birds found at Shakespear. Also present are bellbirds and shy brown quail.

Native bush

The hills are mainly grassy farmland, though volunteers are working with the ARC to replant some valley areas in native bush.

Picture of Shakespear

Take a stroll on the beach and admire the views back over the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland City.

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(400 kb)
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(our mapping application)

Park opening hours:

Opens:
6am
Closes:
7pm (winter)
9pm (summer)

How to get there

Follow State Highway 1 north and take the Silverdale off ramp. Go through Silverdale, turn right on to Whangaparaoa Rd and follow the signs to the end of the peninsula
Distance from Auckland:
50 minutes
  
Get directions with Google Maps
Public transport information:
Catch the bus to Shakespear
www.maxx.co.nz