Te Hāruhi / Shakespear Regional Park: Open Sanctuary on Whangaparāoa
Photo: “Te Haruhi Bay at Shakespear Regional Park” by KazzaMiller, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Park at a glance
- Region
- Auckland
- Location
- Whangaparāoa Peninsula
- Managed by
- Auckland Council
- Dogs
- Dogs in some areas
- Camping
- Yes, see Camping section
Overview
Te Hāruhi / Shakespear Regional Park covers the tip of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, north of Auckland. Auckland Council calls it its most visited and most accessible open sanctuary. A 1.7 km pest-proof fence shuts out predators, so native birds thrive alongside farmland, beaches and picnic areas.
Inside the sanctuary you might see bellbirds, kākāriki, kererū, tūī, dotterels and oystercatchers. Tiritiri Matangi Island lies just 4 km off the eastern coast.
Getting there and opening hours
- Address: 1507 Whangaparāoa Road, Army Bay
- Vehicle gate: 6am–9pm in summer and 6am–7pm in winter. It's just past the bus stop near Army Bay.
- Bus: Stop at the main park entrance at the end of Whangaparāoa Road. Te Haruhi Bay is 1.8 km on foot.
- Parking: Te Haruhi Bay (400, plus about 150 overflow), Okoromai Bay (240), Army Bay (50 cars and 20 boat trailers), Waterfall Gully (40) and the Lookout (10)
Before you visit, check your vehicle and belongings for pests so you don't carry any into the sanctuary.
Walks and tracks
| Track | Time | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lookout Track | 40–60 min | 2.5–3 km | 360° views; prams OK |
| Heritage Trail | 60–120 min | 3.9–4 km | |
| Tiritiri Track | 80–120 min | 4.8–5 km | Passes Kōwhai Glen |
There are two main forest areas, Waterfall Gully near the north end and Kōwhai Glen in the east. Both have big pūriri, kōwhai, kahikatea and kauri.
Things to do
Te Haruhi Bay
Te Haruhi Bay is the park's main beach. It's inside the sanctuary fence, has large flat grass areas and four free electric BBQs, and is a favourite for families. It's also one of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing spots in southerly winds. Army Bay has good swimming at all tides; keep clear of the boat ramp. Okoromai Bay is shallow, sheltered and very tidal, which makes it a good spot to learn to kayak at high tide.
Shipwrecks and kayaking
Shipwrecks lie off the Te Haruhi/Okoromai headland in about 5 m of water. They're popular to visit by kayak, and divers can explore them too, though visibility drops quickly when the sediment is stirred up. On a good day, experienced kayakers use Shakespear as a base for paddling to Tiritiri Matangi.
Birdwatching in the open sanctuary
The Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society (SOSSI) helps keep the sanctuary predator-free and runs volunteer days. Head to Waterfall Gully car park for information panels on the wildlife and restoration work.
There are mountain bike tracks, and paragliding is permitted in certain areas. The Army Bay boat ramp is open 24/7 at all tides, but it's exposed in northerly and north-westerly winds. Seasonal set-net bans and new Hauraki Gulf fishing rules apply, so check MPI and DOC before you fish.
Dogs at Shakespear
Dogs are banned from the entire open sanctuary: Te Haruhi Bay, Waterfall Gully, the Tiritiri, Lookout, Heritage and Okoromai tracks, the campground, and all roads and parking inside, including in vehicles.
Outside the fence:
- Army Bay and Okoromai Bay beaches (the signposted sections): off-leash under control from 2 March to 30 November. From 1 December to 1 March, off-leash before 10am and after 5pm, and prohibited from 10am to 5pm.
- Grass areas between those beaches: off-leash outside 10am–5pm in summer and on a leash from 10am to 5pm. Off-leash at any time from 2 March to 30 November.
- Tracks, roads, car parks and the boat ramp at Army and Okoromai bays: on a leash at all times.
Camping
Te Haruhi Bay campground sits inside the sanctuary, right behind the beach. Book well ahead for summer weekends and holidays. There's also overnight car parking and a CSC area.
Good to know
- Pink Beach boardwalk: Part of it is out of service. You can get around the rocks at low tide.
- Drones are not allowed.
- Mobile coverage is patchy.
Where is Te Hāruhi / Shakespear Regional Park?
The pin marks: Centre of the park area (-36.6084, 174.8246). It isn't an entrance or car park, so check the council's park page for access points before you go. Plan a route on OpenStreetMap (opens in a new tab).
Location data: Auckland Council Park Extents (CC BY 4.0); OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0).
Check before you go
Track closures, gate times, fire bans and storm damage change often. Auckland Council posts current alerts for Te Hāruhi / Shakespear Regional Park on its official park page.
Current park alerts