North Shore

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Beaches, Parks and Reserves  |  Things to do  |  Libraries   |  Cafes

Over the Auckland Harbour Bridge heading north is the North Shore. This is New Zealand's fourth largest city. There are many great places to visit here, which are accessible from Downtown Auckland by a pleasant ferry ride that goes between the Ferry Building at Auckland direct to Devonport. Most weekends you can ride on a Clydesdale horse-drawn cart, a great thrill for the kids.

Cafes
Devonport and Takapuna have many different cafes which cater to everyone's taste. Simply take a walk along the street and see what takes your fancy, or the local malls have great food halls if you prefer somewhere which is more sheltered.

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Beaches and walks

There are many safe sandy beaches for you to take your children to while visiting the North Shore. The best known are Takapuna Beach, Cheltenham Beach and Devonport. Other safe beaches are Bayswater, Birkenhead, Browns Bay, Rothesay Beach, Murrays Bay, Campbells Bay, Castor Bay, Long Bay, Milford Beach and  Narrow Neck Beach.

 

Devonport

A good play area in Devonport is on the corner of Victoria Road and Kings Edward Parade, at the end of Devonport near the ferry building. Grab a take-away coffee and sit down and enjoy watching the children play on the slides, seesaw, swings and play area, plus there is loads of grass to run around on. You can continue with a walk along the water front on Kings Edward Parade.

 

Devonport Domain has a playground next to the sports field at the southern end of Kings Edward Parade. Although close to the road, good fencing and gates make t a safe area for children to play in. 

 

Bayswater

Kawerau Reserve, situated at Bayswater has boardwalks and bridges providing access to the wetlands area and is suitable for prams. Kawerau Reserve is on Kawerau Avenue, Bayswater. Take the Esmonde Road off ramp and head along Esmonde Road until you reach the T-intersection of  Esmonde Road and Lake Road. Turn right into Lake Road,  continue until you get to Kawerau Ave on your right (which is the next street on your right after Regent St). Drive down to the end of Kawerau Avenue to the reserve.

 

Takapuna

Like to feed the ducks? In Takapuna at Lake Pupuke there is Killarney Park, which also houses the Pumphouse. Take the children there to feed the ducks, and  check out  whether an outdoor concert is available. 

 

Take the Takapuna off-ramp on the north bound motorway and head along Esmonde Road until you reach the T-intersection of Esmonde Road and Lake Road. Turn left into Lake Road and continue along this road, going through Takapuna until you reach the roundabout. Continue straight through the roundabout into The Terrace and then along this road to the T-intersection of The Terrace and Killarney Street. Turn left into Killarney Street and the park is a right hand turn a few metres up the road.

 

Birkenhead

An easy walk for children, though not suitable for pushchairs, the Le Roys Bush walk is great for children. Le Roys Bush is situated between 201 and 212 Onewa Road in Birkenhead. The walk includes a waterfall plus notable trees and bush, and takes about an hour to get to Little Shoal Bay. 

 

Long Bay

Long Bay Regional Park, at Long Bay, has a long sandy beach with playgrounds and both picnic and bar-b-que areas available. To access the regional park exit the motorway going north at Oteha Valley Road and turn right. Keep on Oteha Valley Road until you reach Carlisle Road. Drive along Carlisle Road, turn left into Beach Road and continue along Beach Road until you reach the park. Long Bay also boasts the Okura Marine Reserve.

Bruce Mason Centre

Corner of  Hurstmere Road and The Promenade, Takapuna.

Ph: 09 488 2949 

The Bruce Mason Centre puts on many live performances each year for both children and adults. 

 

TenPin

Wairau Park, 19 Link Drive, Glenfield

Ph: 09 442 2469 www.tenpinbowling.co.nz

 

Devonport Museum

33A Wauxhall Road, Devonport

 Open between 2pm and 4pm during the weekends.

 

MOVIES

There are family movie theatres in the North Shore -  Hoyts in Link Drive, and Berkeley in Takapuna.

 

Hoyts 8 Cinema Complex

Link Drive, Glenfield, Auckland. 

Ph: 09 443 7318 

Web: www.hoyts.co.nz 

Enjoy the latest movies with your family at Hoyts. Check daily papers, phone, or website for what's showing and when.

 

Berkeley Cinemas

34 Anzac Street, Takapuna. 

Ph: 09 488 6001 (movie line)

Web: www.berkeleycinemas.co.nz

Enjoy movies with your family, check our movie line for times and pictures currently showing.

Just awesome!

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

 

East Coast Bays Leisure Centre

Bute Road, Browns Bay, North Shore, Auckland. 

Ph: 09 4783379

Les Mills aerobics, youth sports leagues, compact gym, children's programmes, community programmes, holiday programme, creche and more!

 

Birkenhead Leisure Centre

Mahara Ave, Birkenhead, Auckalnd. 

Ph: 09 418 4109  www.northshorecity.govt.nz/Northshoreleisure/birkenhead/

Indoor rock climbing wall, pre-school gym, miniball, kiwisport, outdoor adventure activities, outdoor heated pool and holiday programmes.

 

INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS

 

Chipmunks

30 Downing Street, Glenfield. 

Ph: 09 444 8766 

A fun indoor playground for children. Sit back and relax as your children burn off some energy.

 

SWIMMING POOLS

 

Birkenhead Leisure Centre

Mahara Ave, Birkenhead, Auckland. 

Ph: 09 418 4109   www.northshorecity.govt.nz/Northshoreleisure/birkenhead/

Outdoor heated pool and holiday programmes.

 

Takapuna Aquatic Centre

37 Killarney Street, Takapuna, Auckland. 

Ph: 09 486 3286 www.northshorecity.govt.nz/Northshoreleisure/takapuna/Pool.asp

Indoor heated swimming pool, toddlers pool, therapy pool, sauna, compact gym and creche.

 

Glenfield Leisure Centre

Bentley Ave, Glenfield, North Shore, Auckland.

Ph: 09 444 6340  

Indoor heated swimming pool, holiday programmes, Les Mills aerobics, fully equipped gym, squash courts, creche and more! 

 

ARTS AND CRAFTS

 

Paint the Earth

475 Lake Road, Takapuna. 

Ph: 09 489 1117

 

BIRTHDAY PARITES

 

Ivy Cottage Children's Theme Parties

37 Churchouse Rd, Greenhithe, Auckland.

Ph: 09 413 8468

Web: www.ivycottage.co.nz

Our venue caters exclusively for your party. Enjoy the security and privacy of Ivy Cottage and the Enchanted Garden which surrounds it. The garden contains magical pathways, a wishing well, a huge concrete dinosaur (Max), a small doorway in the 100 year old oak tree, fairy houses, swings... Themes include: Fairies in the Garden, Wizards & Witches, The Enchanted Garden, Dinosaur Party, Teddy Bears' Picnic, Jedi/Star Wars, Princesses, etc. Dress-up room with costumes to wear. 

 

LIBRARIES

 

Want to enrich your children's lives with some reading? Try one of the following six libraries in the region and ask about any children's programmes currently running or children's story times:

 

Birkenhead, Phone: 09 486 8559. 

Devonport, Phone: 09 486 8527. 

East Coast Bays, Phone: 09 486 8577. 

Glenfield, Phone: 09 486 8554. 

Northcote, Phone: 09 486 8490. 

Takapuna, Phone: 09 486 8460. 

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Shopping

Babyshower and Genius Babies

Shop 8, Pharmacy Building, 231 Main Highway, Albany Village

Ph: 09 448 5689

Email: info@babyshower.co.nz

Web: www.geniusbabies.co.nz and www.babyshower.co.nz