Visit
At the tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, Shakespear Regional Park has sheltered bays, wetlands, regenerating native forest, cliffs, historic places and a lookout with views second to none. It offers nice walks and beaches and is an easy 50 minutes drive from the Harbour Bridge.
Visit the Auckland Council website for more information about the Park.
The Park is an easy 50 minutes drive North of the Harbour Bridge. For driving directions use the Google map below.
There is plenty of parking at each of the beach areas. To drive into the main part of the park you must pass through the vehicle gate in the fence. If you drive up slowly it will open automatically. Note that after 7pm (9pm in summer) you can drive out but not enter. PETS ARE PROHIBITED inside the sanctuary fence!
For public transport use the Auckland Transport travel planner. Buses and the ferry/bus option will deliver you to Army Bay, which is also close to the start of Waterfall Gully.
For pedestrians there are gates in the fence at the Water Gully carpark, next to the vehicle gate and at the Okoromai Bay end of the fence.
For access hours please see the Auckland Council page for Shakespear.
For some clues about where and when to best look for wildlife, consult our wildlife calendar below
Shakespear has three beaches, several walks, large picnic areas and a campground. For more information download the park map and for camp bookings go here.
SOSSI has developed a Junior Ranger booklet to keep the kids busy and build their interest in conservation. SOSSI has also produced Shakespear Explorer, a phone app which guides you on two selected walks, one of which is especially for children.
We are happy to provide guided tours of the Sanctuary or give talks about it to schools and groups, and we can also suggest suitable educational activities for school groups. Please click here for more information, and here for a poster for your notice-board.
We do appreciate reasonable notice, especially in the peak time over summer. We’d also appreciate a donation – we think $2 pp is about right. We’re a registered charity and will send a tax receipt. Thanks!
Please book by completing the form below, and then clicking the button.