Popular walks, parks and gardens
Awaruku
Bush
Centennial
Park
Chatswood Reserve
Eskdale
Park
Fernglen native plant gardens
Kauri
Glen
Kauri
Park
Kauri Point
Centennial Park
Kawerau
Reserve
Killarney Park
Le Roys
Bush
Long
Bay Regional Park
Mt Cambria
(Takaroro)
Mt Victoria (Takarunga)
Ngataringa Walkway
Northcote
Point Walk
North Head
(Takapuna) Historic Reserve
North
Shore Literary Walk
Okura
Rahopara
Reserve
Smith's Bush
Sylvan Park
Takapuna-Milford
Walk (coastal)
Listing
of all North Shore City parks and reserves
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, 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 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, 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 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.
For more information about the Fernglen Native Plant Gardens go to: http://www.fernglen.co.nz/
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, 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 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 Avenue, Bayswater, has a boardwalk and bridge providing access to the wetland areas. It is suitable for wheelchairs and prams.
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'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 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), 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) 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 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.
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. Experience the cultural and historical origins of the area while reading about places of special interest outlined in the guide.
Alternatively pick up a guide from our visitor information centres, area offices or libraries or contact Actionline on 486 8600 and we’ll send you a copy.
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 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.
North
Shore Literary Walk 
(549KB)
Alternatively pick up a guide from our visitor information centres, area offices or libraries or contact Actionline on 486 8600 and we’ll send you a copy.
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.
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 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 on the Milford side of Lake Pupuke is a popular base for sailing and rowing events. It has walks and a barbecue area.
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.
Alternatively pick up a guide from our visitor information centres, area offices or libraries or contact Actionline on 486 8600 and we’ll send you a copy.
North Shore City Parks