Last Updated on: 16 April 2026

The Lookout Track is the shortest way to the best view in the park. It’s 2.5km, starts from Te Haruhi Bay car park, and heads straight up through farmland to the 360-degree lookout at the top. No bush section on this one, it’s all gravel paths and open paddocks, so it’s more exposed than the Heritage Trail but also quicker and simpler to follow.

  
Distance2.5 km loop
Time1 hour
DifficultyEasy, with one steep section
Track surfaceGravel and grass paddocks
Starting pointTe Haruhi Bay car park, Shakespear Regional Park
DogsNot allowed — open wildlife sanctuary
ToiletsYes, at Te Haruhi Bay car park
ParkingFree at Te Haruhi Bay car park
CampingYes, bookable through Auckland Council parks website

 

Getting There

From Auckland, follow SH1 north to the Silverdale off-ramp (about 26km), go through Silverdale and turn right onto Whangaparaoa Road. Continue for 12.3km to the end of the peninsula and follow the signs to Shakespear Regional Park. The drive takes around 40 minutes from the city.

By public transport, take the NX1 north to Hibiscus Coast Station, then the 982 bus toward Gulf Harbour. Get off at 2 Shakespear Road and walk along Whangaparaoa Road to the park entrance.

The nearest cafes are at Gulf Harbour, about 4 minutes by car.

The Route

  • Start at the Te Haruhi Bay car park and follow the blue markers
  • The track heads up through open farm paddocks — keep an eye out for sheep, and newborn lambs in spring
  • There’s one steep section on the climb up, it’s short but you’ll know about it
  • Pass the old Shakespear family woolshed on the way — it was originally close to the beach but moved to its current spot in 1975
  • The lookout at the top has 360-degree views across the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland city skyline, Tiritiri Matangi Island, and across to Wenderholm and Mahurangi regional parks
  • Follow the blue markers back down to the car park
  • After the walk, Te Haruhi Bay is right there for a swim or a picnic — keep an eye out for the resident peacocks
  • From the lookout you can extend by joining the Tiritiri Track (red markers) or the Heritage Trail (yellow markers)

Good to Know

  • No dogs at all — fully fenced open sanctuary with pest-control gates. Dogs aren’t allowed even in cars on the road through the park. People get fined
  • Exposed track — no shade at all on this one, bring water and sunscreen, especially in summer
  • Muddy in wet weather — the grass sections get slippery after rain, decent footwear is worth it
  • Marker tip — from each blue-topped post you can see the next one, so if you lose sight of the next marker stop and look around rather than following sheep tracks
  • Drinking water — available throughout the park
  • Campground — bookable through the Auckland Council parks website, separate area for self-contained vehicles

Other Walks in Shakespear Regional Park

  • Heritage Trail — yellow markers, bush, waterfall, WWII gun emplacement and the lookout
  • Tiritiri Track — red markers, heads to the coast with views of Tiritiri Matangi Island
  • Ōkoromai Track — connects Ōkoromai Bay to Te Haruhi Bay through native bush and farmland
  • Kanuka Track — green markers, good alternative route through the park

Back to Shakespear Regional Park walks