Devonport, a charming historic seaside village, on the northern shores of Auckland City, is only 10 minutes by ferry (half hourly service) and 15 minutes by car to Auckland City centre.

A delightful base to explore the Auckland area, return in the evening and stroll along the seafront to the village for dinner.

Experience Devonport's unique heritage, wide range of restaurants, cafes, beaches, art galleries, shopping and warm welcomes.

Enjoy the spectacular views of the city and gulf from North Head and Mt Victoria. Admire the colonial timber architecture and walk along streets of enchanting homes. Step back to an era when it was easy and personal. Relax and enjoy our friendly village atmosphere.

Come and stay, or visit for a day.

Popular annual events are the Wine & Food festival in February and the annual Arts Festival. There is a craft market every month.

Relax, get out your favourite walking shoes and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful weather. Some of my favourite activities are;

• Mt Victoria.
  Views, painted mushrooms, the musical bunker. This is the hiil immediately behind the shopping centre. Walking to the top takes approx 10 - 20 minutes depending on the path and fitness. It is possible to drive to the top. Spectacular views of North Shore city, the gulf and Auckland City. Also remnants of the Kawerau tribe fortifications.

  
  

• Rangitoto from Mt Victoria ©Peter Raos

  

  Auckland from Mt Victoria

  © Murray TC Douglas
  

• North Head , - the guns and the tunnels
  The other hill of Devonport. It is a 15-20 minute walk to reach North Head from the ferry terminal. The Department of Conservation administers the area and it is open daily. Spectacular views of the harbour and the islands of the gulf. It is possible to drive up part of the way. Site contains an extensive collection of military tunnels which are open for exploration.
  
  
• Torpedo Bay
  The small bay just before North Head. French explorer Dumont d'Urville landed here in 1827. Note the memorial to the arrival of the Tainui canoe from Hawaiki about 1300 AD. Named after the naval torpedo boat housed there in the early 1920s. Good swimming at high tide and a popular place to launch boats.
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  North Head from Torpedo Bay ©Peter Raos
  
• Windsor Reserve
  Site of the formation of the New Zealand squadron of the Royal Navy in 1862. The 1924 War Memorial is adjacent to the Library
  
• The William C Daldy Preservation Society
  Steam Tug berthed at Devonport Wharf.
  
  
• The Naval Museum - Spring St, off Queens Parade.
  Open daily. Free admission. A fantastic collection of naval memorabilia.
  
  
• Devonport Museum - Mt Cambria Reserve
  Open on weekends only. 2.00pm - 4.00 pm.
  
  
• Swimming and a day at the beach:
  Enjoy the beaches at the wharf, Cheltenham Beach, Torpedo Bay and Stanley Bay

  ©Peter Raos
  
  

• Enjoy the fascinating timber architecture by walking :
  Suggested walk of 1-1.5 hours. Leave the ferry building and walk along King Edward Parade with the sea on your right. .
  Further along pass the Devonport Yacht Club..
  Continue along to Cheltenham Rd and pass the cricket grounds (Devonport Domain - see below) and then to Oxford Tce on the left. The Cheltenham Beach is only 2 minutes from here.
  Along Oxford Tce, right at Matai Rd and onto the beach. Turn left and walk along the beach and leave the beach at Arawa St.
  Turn right onto Tainui Rd, up to shops, cross road and take lane between the shops.
  Continue on past the golf course and walk up to Albert Rd. Turn right and follow road around to Devonport Shops and then the ferry terminal.

  
  
  Victoria Rd Peter Raos
  

• North Shore City Coastal Walk South to North
  
  This urban walk takes you from Devonport in the south to Long Bay in the north, where you can catch a Stagecoach bus either to Auckland, or back to the Devonport Wharf for a Fullers Auckland ferry to link with Auckland's Coast to Coast walk. Te Araroa logos, markers on posts, and small fingerboards on poles mark the all-tide route, which follows cliff top tracks, pedestrian shortcuts, steps and footpaths.

  At low tide only, it is possible to walk almost all the way on the shoreline. North Shore City Council does not recommend this route. Rocks may be very slippery and unstable underfoot, and there are high unstable cliffs above you. You will need to take careful note of the time of low tide, as there are several points where you can be cut off by the rising water. If you want to walk the whole way on one low tide, prepare to do some wading. Alternatively, break the walk part way, and complete it at low tide the following day. For more information click here
  

• Cafes and People watching:
  There are a number of cafes and restaurants with sidewalk seating. Other areas are on the seafront by the ferry terminal in Windsor Reserve.

  
  Wharf ©Peter Raos
  
  

• Sitting on the old wharf:
  Watch the people fishing and enjoy the harbour activity happening at your feet.
  
  
• Visit the home of NZ's largest ice creams:
  Whites Dairy - Vauxhall Rd near Church St. Well worth the walk. A small detour only.
  
  
• Golf
  Waitemata Golf Course.
  
  
• Collectible browsing:
  There are many antique shops and secondhand bookshops in the village shopping centre.
  
  
• Devonport Domain - home of North Shore Cricket Club
  During summer watch a game of cricket being played. This is the oldest sportsfield on the North Shore and the North Shore Cricket Club, the oldest in New Zealand(est 1864) has been playing on the Devonport Domain since 1896. Games are played normally on Saturday & Sunday. Stroll down and sit under a shady tree and watch the games. If you have any questions ask a local male, they will happily answer and educate.

  Acknowledgement: ©Peter Raos Photos by Peter Raos www.raos.co.nz

  © Murray TC Douglas www.MURRAYDOUGLAS.com