Shakespear Regional Park
1501 Whangaparāoa Road, Army Bay

About Shakespear Regional Park

Shakespear Regional Park - View of Te Haruhi Bay.

Our most visited and accessible open sanctuary integrating conservation, recreation and farming.

Providing a pest-free habitat and a safe home for wildlife. Help us keep it pest-free, you need to check your vehicle and belongings before you visit.

Dogs and all other pets are prohibited in the open sanctuary at all times.

To volunteer or find out more visit Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society.

To check for live information on water quality and safe swimming conditions at Auckland beaches, see the Safeswim website.

Book accommodation at Shakespear Regional Park

Book a picnic site at Shakespear Regional Park

You need to know

Animals

Dogs, other animals and pets are prohibited at all Auckland Council regional parks' bookable sites and accommodation. The exception is registered aid dogs. You will need to advise our staff at time of booking if you have a registered aid dog for an exemption.
Dogs are allowed in regional parks only as stated in the dog walking section. All other animals are prohibited at all times, unless you have a permit issued by Auckland Council.

Alcohol

Visible and excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
We may ask you and your group to leave the park and terminate your permit.

Smokefree regional parks

Our regional parks are smoke-free.
Please observe this while staying on or using our regional parks.

Waste

All our regional parks are rubbish free. Take all rubbish and recycling with you when you leave.

Outdoor fires

It is illegal to light a fire outside in all public areas in the Auckland region.

Shakespear Regional Park

Map of Shakespear Regional Park

PDF download3.00MB

Dog walking at Shakespear Regional Park

Our tip

Always follow the rules shown on our website for where you can walk your dog, even if the information on park signs does not match. Call us on 09 301 0101 if you need help.
Read more about dog access rules in Policy on dogs.

Army and Okoromai Bay beaches
Image of dog sign WinterWinter SummerSummer
Off-leash
All times (under control)
Off-leash
5pm - 10am (under control)
Prohibited
10am - 5pm
Applies to:
- Army Bay beach from the western end of the beach to the minor headland east of the boat ramp
- Okoramai Bay beach from the western end to the treeline embankment.
Summer rules apply from 1 December to 1 March.
Winter rules apply from 2 March to 30 November.
Army and Okoromai Bay grass areas between the beaches
Image of dog sign WinterWinter SummerSummer
Off-leash
All times (under control)
Off-leash
5pm - 10am (under control)
On-leash
10am - 5pm (under control)
Applies to:
- the flat grassland areas at Army Bay on either side of Whangaparaoa Road
- the flat grassland areas at Okoramai Bay from the western Park boundary to the treeline embankment.
Summer rules apply from 1 December to 1 March.
Winter rules apply from 2 March to 30 November.
Tracks and roads at Army and Okoromai Bay
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
On-leash
All times (under control)
Applies to:
- tracks between Army Bay and Okoramai Bay, including the wetland track and the part of the Heritage Trail between Okoramai Bay and the Waterfall Gully car park
- Whangaparaoa Road, parking areas, boat ramp and bus stop
- parts of Bruce Harvey Drive between Army Bay and Okoromai Bay.
Sanctuary, and parts of Heritage Trail and Okoramai tracks
Image of dog sign All TimesAll Times
Prohibited
All times
Applies to the Shakespear Open Sanctuary and associated beach and foreshore areas, including:
- Te Haruhi Bay, Waterfall Gully, Tiritiri Track, Lookout Track, Heritage Trail and Okoromai Track
- Army Bay beach and foreshore areas east of the boat ramp
- Okoramai Bay Beach east of the treeline embankment
- campgrounds
- all road and parking areas
- dogs in vehicles.
Also applies to parts of the Heritage Trail and Okoromai Track from between the treeline embankment at Okoramai Bay and the Shakespear Open Sanctuary.

Army and Okoromai Bay beaches
Image of dog sign	WinterWinter	SummerSummer
	Off-leash All times (under control)	Off-leash 5pm - 10am (under control)
		Prohibited 10am - 5pm

Army and Okoromai Bay grass areas between the beaches
Image of dog sign	WinterWinter	SummerSummer
	Off-leash All times (under control)	Off-leash 5pm - 10am (under control)
		On-leash 10am - 5pm (under control)

Tracks and roads at Army and Okoromai Bay
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	On-leash All times (under control)

Sanctuary, and parts of Heritage Trail and Okoramai tracks
Image of dog sign	All TimesAll Times
	Prohibited All times

Dog access rules for other public places

Visit Rules for dogs in public places to check the rules for walking your dog in other public places.

Shakespear Regional Park

Map of Shakespear Regional Park

PDF download3.00MB

Facilities at Shakespear Regional Park

Mobility access

Te Haruhi Bay and Okoromai Bay have reasonable limited mobility access to the beachside grass picnic areas but no formed path for access to the beach. For special access provisions contact us on 09 301 0101.

Pram access

All beaches have reasonable pram access and verges along the roads are suitable for prams. Te Haruhi Bay and Okoromai Bay have large flat grass areas. You can get prams from lookout car park to the lookout, though there are two bike ramps to get over.

Limited mobility toilets

Army and Okoromai bays have paved paths from the limited mobility parking spaces to the toilets. Toilets both have one male and one female mobility cubicle. No limited mobility access to the toilet blocks at Te Haruhi Bay.

Toilets

All five toilet blocks have separate male and female facilities, and changing rooms. Te Haruhi Bay has three - one each at the western end, central and eastern end. Army and Okoromai bays both have one in the middle with a paved path to the toilet blocks.

Gate access summer

6am to 9pm

Gate access (winter)

6am to 7pm

Sealed access road

The major access roads to the park and on the park are all sealed.

Security gates

An automatic gate is located near Army Bay on the road to Te Haruhi Bay and Okoromai Bay and just past the bus stop. The gate opens and closes automatically, and will open for vehicles exiting the park at all times.

Mobility parking

There is one designated car park at Army Bay next to the toilet block, and one at Okoromai Bay beside the path to the toilets.

Parking

Car park spaces available at: Army Bay (east has 20 for boat trailer parking and west has 50 for cars, both 24 hours), Waterfall Gully (40), Okoromai Bay (240), Lookout (10), Te Haruhi Bay (400 plus extra 150 opened as demand and ground conditions allow.

Mobile phone coverage

Coverage is patchy - some areas on the park have good coverage.

Bus stop

At the main park entrance at the end of Whangaparāoa Road. It is a short walk to Army Bay and Okoromai Bay, and 1.8 kms to Te Haruhi Bay. Visit the Auckland Transport website for timetables.

Picnic tables

There are two tables near the casual electric BBQ at the eastern end of Te Haruhi Bay with extended table top ends and pads allowing for wheelchair access. Assistance may be required to get across the grass to reach both of these tables.

Ranger office

Located near the western end of the Te Haruhi Bay car park. Follow the signs to Te Haruhi Bay, then to the park office.

Water supply

Drinking water is from a town supply and is safe to drink. Drinking fountains are at the bookable picnic sites, picture frame, old woolshed, campground and along the foreshores of Te Haruhi Bay, Okoromai Bay and Army Bay.

Music

No amplified music allowed. This includes bluetooth speakers and amplifiers.

Boat ramp (Army Bay)

With 24 hour access, all year, all tides (access to beach at low tide). With space for 20 cars and trailers in the carpark and overflow parking available on the road. It is exposed to northerly and nor-west winds, making launch and recovery difficult.

Barbecues

Te Haruhi Bay has four electric and Okoromai Bay has two electric barbecues. They are free to use.

Notice boards

Notice boards are also at the campground, Army Bay, Okoromai Bay and Waterfall Gully. Information may include a park map, codes and bylaws, tide charts, brochures, walks and features.

Interpretation boards

There are several interpretation boards with information about the park, history, past farm operations, infrastructure, park features and landscapes. Waterfall Gully car park has information panels about the park’s wildlife and restoration work.

Beaches

Te Haruhi Bay is inside the Open Sanctuary pest proof fence, at the south western end of the sanctuary area. Okoromai Bay, a very tidal beach, is outside the fence, at the south western end of the park. Army Bay is at the park entrance to the north west.

Native bush

There are two main forest areas with magnificent pūriri, kōwhai, kahikatea, kauri, and many other natives: Waterfall Gully near the north end, and Kōwhai Glen along the eastern end of the park which is best accessed from part of the Tiri Tiri track.

Heritage Trail

120 minutes, 4 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Heritage Trail is open.

Tiri Tiri Track

120 minutes, 5 km
Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Check if Tiri Tiri Track is open.

Lookout Track

60 minutes, 3 km
Suitable for prams. No wheelchair access. Check if Lookout Track is open.

Shakespear Regional Park

Map of Shakespear Regional Park

PDF download3.00MB

Activities at Shakespear Regional Park

Surfing

Wind surfing is a popular activity at Shakespear. Te Haruhi Bay is known as one of the best spots for kite and wind surfing in southerly winds. Common sense and care must be taken when there are swimmers and other recreational users in the water.

Sightseeing

Many multi-use tracks offer views of the Hauraki Gulf. You can see the island of Tiri Tiri Matangi a mere 4km off the eastern coast or look south for a great view of Auckland city. The lookout point at the top of Lookout Track offers 360 degree panoramic views.

Drones

Check Flying drones and unmanned aerial vehicles to find rules, guidelines and our code of conduct for flying UAVs and drones.

Mountain biking

There are a number of biking tracks available. Check Mountain biking for the types and length of the tracks available.

Volunteering

The Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society Inc (SOSSI) was created to help the Shakespear Open Sanctuary become an open and accessible wildlife sanctuary. Visit the SOSSI website to find our more about what they do.

Boating

This is a popular spot for many kinds of boating. Check Boating for details of which vessels can be used.

Kayaking

This park has some great experiences for kayakers. Check Kayaking for the most popular spots.

Picnics

Shakespear is a fantastic place to have a picnic. Check Picnics for how to book a site if you have a larger group.

Farm animals viewing

Shakespear is a working farm so you may meet cattle, sheep and lambs during your visit. Feel free to wander through the paddocks containing farm animals. Avoid walking between young stock and their mums. You must follow all safety signs and respect restricted areas. Please leave gates as you find them.

Walking

A great way to explore Shakespear is via the network of walking and multi-use tracks that offer stunning views or a close-up nature experience within forest, bush and wetlands. Some of our longer tracks take 1-3 hours and vary in difficulty.

Diving

Exploring shipwrecks off the Te Haruhi/Okoromai Bay headland. Check Diving for more information.

Swimming

All of Shakespear's beaches are suitable for swimming. Okoromai Bay is very tidal - only swim at high tide. Check Swimming for more information on the different beaches.

Weddings

You may need a permit to hold a wedding or civil union ceremony at this regional park. Check Apply for a permit to have an event or wedding in a regional park for more information, or call 09 301 0101 and ask to speak to a Senior Park Ranger.

Bird watching

There is plenty here for the bird enthusiasts. Check Bird watching for information about what you can see and where.

Fishing

At high tide you can surf cast off Army Bay. Walk 5 minutes west from Te Haruhi Bay around the rocks. At low tide, walk 10 minutes east from Army Bay around the rocks or through the park to the Pink Beach access, then continue to either headland.

Paragliding

Paragliding is permitted on the park in certain areas. Check Paragliding for information on the most popular sites.

Shakespear Regional Park

Map of Shakespear Regional Park

PDF download3.00MB

Shakespear Regional Park1501 Whangaparāoa Road, Army Bay

About Shakespear Regional Park

Book accommodation at Shakespear Regional Park

Book a picnic site at Shakespear Regional Park

Shakespear Regional Park

Map of Shakespear Regional Park

Shakespear Regional Park
1501 Whangaparāoa Road, Army Bay