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Shakespear Regional Park, Whangaparāoa
5 km
2 hours
150 metres
Safety notice: Conditions change; check DOC/local council/weather before walking.
If you are looking for a coastal escape that packs panoramic ocean views, lush native bush, and encounters with rare wildlife into one easy morning stroll, the Shakespear Tiri Tiri Track is calling your name.
Nestled at the very tip of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, just a 45-minute drive north of Auckland’s bustling city centre, Shakespear Regional Park is a slice of coastal paradise. The Shakespear Tiri Tiri Track is a delightful 5-kilometre loop that takes about two hours to complete. With a gentle elevation gain of 150 metres, this track is classified as easy, making it an absolute favourite for families, casual walkers, and international tourists looking for that picture-perfect Kiwi landscape.
Because the park is a pest-free open sanctuary, dogs must stay at home, but kids will absolutely love the varied terrain, friendly farm animals, and interactive wildlife encounters.
Your journey begins at the popular Te Haruhi Bay car park, where the salty sea breeze instantly sets a relaxing tone. From the car park, the trail leads you along the edge of the tranquil beach, past a bustling campground and a historic site once home to a vibrant Māori settlement.
Following the distinctive red posts that mark the route, you will begin a gradual, steady climb away from the beach. The terrain is a wonderful mix of gravel paths, open grassy farm paddocks, and pockets of regenerating native bush. Before long, you will find yourself sharing the pasture with relaxed sheep and cattle—a quintessential New Zealand experience that always brings a smile to walkers of all ages.
As you gain height, the views start to open up spectacularly. The climb features one short, moderately steep section, but it is over quickly and the reward at the top is more than worth the effort. The trail winds along the clifftops, offering dramatic drops to the ocean below and expansive views across the glittering waters of the Hauraki Gulf. The loop eventually guides you back down through sheltered valleys, returning you to the calm shores of Te Haruhi Bay.
The Shakespear Tiri Tiri Track is packed with standout features that will have you reaching for your camera every few minutes:
Ample free parking is available at the Te Haruhi Bay car park, which is the starting point for the Shakespear Tiri Tiri Track. [3, 4, 9, 11] Toilets are conveniently located near the car park and campground area. [2, 9]
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Endemic New Zealand honeyeater with distinctive white throat tuft and iridescent plumage. Known for its complex and beautiful song.
Best time: Year-round
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round
Refuel after your hike at these nearby spots
3.5km away
A lively local bar and grill in Manly Village with an Italian influence, offering wood-fired pizzas, steaks, and fresh salads, popular for post-hike meals. [3]
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Loop
Shakespear Regional Park is located at the end of Whangaparāoa Road, approximately 50 kilometres north of Auckland CBD.
To reach the trailhead, drive through the park’s main gates (passing through the pest-proof fence) and follow the signs down to Te Haruhi Bay. There is ample free parking available right by the beach. Excellent public toilet facilities, changing rooms, and drinking water stations are conveniently located near the car park and the adjacent campground area, making it incredibly easy to prep for your walk.
Thanks to a massive predator-proof fence stretching across the peninsula, Shakespear Regional Park is a safe haven for native species. As you walk through the forested sections and open pastures, you are highly likely to spot and hear a wealth of native birdlife:
Tip: Bring a pair of binoculars! The cliffs are great vantage points for spotting seabirds, and you might even see kākāriki flying across the channel from Tiritiri Matangi Island.
The Shakespear Tiri Tiri Track is a fantastic year-round destination, with each season offering a unique vibe:
Shakespear Regional Park is rich in cultural and ecological significance. For centuries, the peninsula was a strategic stronghold for local iwi (tribes), including Ngāti Kahu, who utilised the rich marine resources of the Hauraki Gulf.
In the 1880s, the land was purchased by the Shakespear family, who farmed the area for nearly a century before it was acquired by the Auckland Regional Authority in 1967. Today, the park operates as a successful "open sanctuary." This means conservation, farming, and public recreation coexist side-by-side. The pest-free fence, installed in 2011, has successfully eliminated pests like rats, stoats, and possums, allowing native ecosystems to bounce back with spectacular success.
After working up an appetite on the trail, you don’t have to travel far for a fantastic meal. The nearby local villages offer some excellent spots to refuel:
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Known for its acrobatic flight and fanned tail, the fantail often flits close to humans, catching insects disturbed by their movement.
Best time: Year-round
Porphyrio melanotus
Purple swamphen with distinctive red bill and frontal shield. Common in wetlands and grasslands.
Best time: Year-round
Nestor meridionalis
Large forest parrot found in native bush. Loud and social, increasingly common in predator-controlled sanctuaries.
Best time: Year-round
Best time: Year-round
3.8km away
A highly-rated cafe in Gulf Harbour known for its Vietnamese Pho, gourmet burgers, and classic cafe dishes, perfect for a hearty refuel. [3]
3.8km away
An all-day bar and bistro located in the Gulf Harbour Marine Village, serving a selection of European food and authentic Indian cuisine, with a great view over the canal. [4]