A Visitor’s Guide to Shakespear Regional Park in New Zealand

If you’re looking to balance your Auckland stay with fresh air and coastal scenery, Shakespear Regional Park NZ is well worth adding to your itinerary. Located on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, this expansive regional park features native bush, sheltered bays and scenic walking tracks, all within easy reach of the city. It’s an ideal Auckland day trip, just under 50 minutes’ drive from Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland.

Whether you’re travelling as a couple, with family, or enjoying some solo time outdoors, Shakespear Park offers a relaxed escape that showcases the natural beauty of the Auckland region. Situated at the end of a narrow peninsula, the park is framed by sweeping clifftop views with beaches on either side.

Where Shakespear Regional Park Is Located and Why Visitors Love it

Shakespear Regional Park sits at the northern tip of New Zealand’s Whangaparaoa Peninsula, overlooking the Hauraki Gulf and nearby islands. Its coastal setting and proximity to the city makes it one of Auckland’s most accessible nature-based day trips. Shakespear Park is a working farm, and visitors are free to wander through the paddocks. Children may enjoy a friendly encounter with cattle, sheep and lambs.

Visitors are drawn to the park for its mix of coastal scenery, native bush, wildlife and farmland. It’s a perfect setting for swimming, nature walks, and picnics. The park is a pest-free open sanctuary, protected by a predator-proof fence that supports native wildlife. History lovers can spot remnants of World War II defence structures, including pillboxes and gun emplacements.

The Best Time to Visit Shakespear Regional Park Throughout the Year

Shakespear Regional Park can be enjoyed year-round, with each season offering something different.

Summer is popular for coastal walks, swimming and picnics, with longer days and generally more sunshine. Spring brings fresh colour to the park, with native plants and wildflowers appearing along walking tracks. Autumn often offers comfortable temperatures, ideal for longer walks, while winter tends to be quieter, with crisp air and dramatic coastal views.

As conditions can change quickly in exposed areas, checking the forecast before visiting is always recommended.

Getting to Shakespear Regional Park from Auckland and Moving Around the Park

Shakespear Regional Park is approximately 40 to 50 minutes by car from Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland. Driving is the most practical way to visit, with free parking available at main entry points and beach spots.

Public transport is limited, so a car or rideshare is recommended. Inside the park, sealed and unsealed roads connect key areas, while well-marked walking tracks allow visitors to explore on foot. Some areas are relatively flat, while others are more exposed and uneven. 

Walking Tracks, Lookout Points and Scenic Coastal Views

Walking is one of the best ways to experience Shakespear Regional Park, with tracks ranging from short coastal strolls to longer hikes.

Gentle paths near Te Haruhi Bay suit families and casual walkers, offering sea views and easy access to picnic areas. More elevated tracks combine regenerating native forest, farmland and clifftop views, leading to lookout points with sweeping views across the Hauraki Gulf.

Shakespear Lookout Track

40 minutes | 2.5km returnSuitable for prams. No wheelchair access.

This popular track starts near Te Haruhi Bay and follows gravel and grass paths, including one short steep section. The highlight is the lookout, offering 360-degree views of Auckland’s skyline, nearby islands and surrounding regional parks. In spring, you may also spot lambs grazing in the paddocks.

Shakespear Heritage Trail

60 minutes | 3.9km returnNot suitable for prams or wheelchairs.

A varied walk beginning at Okoromai Bay, this trail combines native bush, farmland and wetlands. Along the way, you’ll pass mature pūriri trees and remnants of WWII defence structures. This loop track finishes back at Okoromai Bay, an idyllic spot for a picnic or a swim.

Shakespear Tiritiri Track

80 minutes | 4.8km returnNot suitable for prams or wheelchairs.

Starting at Te Haruhi Bay, this track climbs through open farmland before following the coastline. While the initial hill can be challenging, it rewards walkers with views back over the bay and across to Tiritiri Matangi Island. At the main lookout, enjoy panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland’s outer islands.

Beaches in Shakespear Regional Park

Shakespear Regional Park is home to three sandy beaches, each offering a relaxed setting for swimming, picnics or a quiet afternoon by the water. The beaches are unpatrolled but generally safe for swimming. Public toilet blocks, changing rooms and drinking water fountains are available at each beach.

Te Haruhi Bay

Located within the open sanctuary’s predator-proof fence at the south-western end of the park, Te Haruhi Bay is the largest and most popular beach. A grassed picnic area sits just beside the sand, with four free public barbecues available. Visitors may also spot the resident peacocks that are often seen wandering near the foreshore.

Okoromai Bay

Okoromai Bay is a tidal beach at the south-eastern side of the peninsula. It features a grassy picnic area beside the beach, along with two free public barbecues. The bay is a peaceful spot to stop to swim after a walk, particularly around high tide.

Army Bay

Army Bay is a smaller beach located near the park entrance on the north-western side. Named for the long-established army base nearby, this scenic bay features a sandy beach facing the Hauraki Gulf, framed by steep cliffs at either end. It’s a calm, sheltered spot perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

Native wildlife and Open Sanctuary Conservation

As one of Auckland’s most accessible sanctuaries, Shakespear Regional Park plays an important role in conservation while remaining open to visitors and easy to explore.

The park provides a protected, pest-free habitat for native wildlife, with a predator-proof fence enclosing its 500-hectare parklands. Birdlife, including tui, kakariki and bellbirds, is often seen along bush tracks and quieter areas, making this a rewarding spot for birdwatching. Native plants, coastal shrubs and seasonal wildflowers add colour and variety throughout the park.

Facilities, Amenities and What to Bring for Your Visit

Free on-site parking is available at main access points, and public toilets are located throughout the park, including at each beach. Walking tracks are clearly signposted with difficulty indicators, and picnic tables and public barbecues are available in designated areas, though food outlets are not provided.

Tips for visiting Shakespear Regional Park

• Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sun protection

• Pack a picnic or snacks, as facilities are limited

• Drinking water fountains are located throughout the park

• There are no bins in the park, be sure to take all rubbish with you and respect signs and wildlife

• Dogs and pets are not permitted within the park

• Shakespear Regional Park is smoke-free in all areas

• Beaches are unpatrolled, so take care when swimming

• Check weather conditions, especially for exposed coastal walks

How Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland Supports Conservation at Shakespear Regional Park

Conservation is central to the park’s purpose, and visitors play an important role in protecting this environment. As part of its sustainability commitment, Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland donates $2.00 to Shakespear Regional Park for every room night booked directly through its website.

This initiative supports ongoing conservation efforts and helps care for the landscapes and wildlife that make the park such a special place to visit.

Should You Add Shakespear Regional Park to Your New Zealand Itinerary?

Shakespear Regional Park is well loved for its picturesque setting and diverse natural landscape. The park offers farmland, coastal scenery, and a strong commitment to conservation, creating a peaceful environment where native wildlife thrives.

Whether you spend an hour walking a clifftop track, pause at Te Haruhi Bay for a swim, or simply take in the surroundings, the park offers a memorable outdoor experience less than an hour’s drive from Auckland’s CBD. Its mix of wildlife, swimming spots and open spaces suits families, couples and solo travellers, making it an easy and rewarding day trip from the city.