Starts at Bruce Harvey Drive, Army Bay, Whangaparāoa
A fantastic walk in Shakespear Regional Park combining regenerating native forest, cliff tops and three spectacular lookout points.
Start at picturesque Te Haruhi Bay. Follow the red markers through a flat paddock and up a reasonably steep section of farm track. The hill is a challenge, but worth it for the magnificent views back over Te Haruhi Bay.
Continue on the well-formed gravel track along the coastline, where you'll see great views of wildlife sanctuary Tiritiri Matangi Island.
At the lookout point where the different park tracks meet, take in the 360-degree views of the Auckland city skyline, Rakino and Rangitoto Islands, and Wenderholm and Mahurangi regional parks.
Early human occupants of this area cleared much of the original forest. Today Auckland Council, Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society Inc. and volunteers are working together to replant native forest in gullies and restore wildlife.
The last part of the track travels through farm paddocks with roaming sheep - it can be easy to miss the markers in this section. Follow the Lookout Track down the hill and make your way back at Te Haruhi Bay (public toilets are available here).
Finish at Te Haruhi Bay, where you can enjoy the large grassy picnic and games areas, or take a dip in the water at the safe swimming beach. The resident peacocks provide colourful displays if you time your visit right.
Shakespear Regional Park is a 40 minute drive from central Auckland. Buses to the park entrance run from downtown Auckland.
No dogs are allowed at Shakespear Regional Park. Please take your rubbish home - there are no bins at the park.
