New Zealand's hidden gem! A quiet and picturesque place with convenient access to restaurants and…read moregrocery stores!

Snells Beach is perfect for the family - picnic tables, two playgrounds, plenty of parking and old…read morePohutukawa trees which provide shelter on hot days. The beach is very safe for swimming as the water is quite shallow; however it is good to note that you should always check the tide, as it does go out quite far. There is a water ski area available, and also boat launch ramp capabilities. Unfortunately there are no dogs allowed in summer on the beach, however I'm not sure how strictly they enforce this law as yesterday I saw a few dogs in the water with their owners. Toilet facilities and a public BBQ are also available, making this a great summer picnic spot if you want a weekend escape not too far from the bustle of Auckland.

Many people bypass Warkworth these days; but if you're heading north the Mahurangi River is a great…read moreplace to stop to break up your trip. Weaving around the back of Warkworth, the river is best accessed on Wharf road (turn left off the main road at Roberts Bakery). Funnily enough, here you'll find a wharf, and plenty of seating to sit and soak in the peace or eat your sammies. There is also a wooden walk way to stretch your legs and a kids playground further around. Warkworth is the town of ducks, and you'll find whole gangs of them down by the river. They'll expect to be feed, and do get pretty cocky, so watch your picnic basket.

Schoolhouse Bay in Kauwau is pure bliss. It's like what I'd imagine New Zealand used to be like…read more There are little baches, sure some have spa pools and hot water, but they still look like baches should look - a little run down and super cute. The best thing about this bay is the huge wharf! Which is a plus for two reasons. Firstly, it means you don't have to lug a week's worth of luggage and food in the dingy to shore. Secondly, it's perfect for jumping, bombing and diving off. But watch out for stingrays, there sure are plenty of them. Eep. Up behind the bay there is a road that you can walk up that will lead you to all the trails that will take you all over Kawau Island. One day we walked all the way to Mansion House Bay and got a well deserved ice block!

One of my all time favourite places to go in the summertime. Located just outside of Warkworth, The…read moreCement Works is an old quarry that is now filled with fresh water and serves as a brilliant swimming spot. Relatively unknown by outsiders, The Cement Works is usually filled with locals. I only know about it because my dad used to be from up north, so has 'inside knowledge'. The water is insanely deep so is a little scary but really fun to find trees to jump out of, as you know you'll never hit the bottom. The fact that its fresh water is also a huge bonus - it doesn't matter if you accidentally swallow it because it won't burn your throat on its way down! It also means if you stop there for a swim after a day at Goat Island or a nearby beach, you leave feeling fresh and clean rather than salty and sticky. Take a picnic and a chilly-bin filled with cold beverages (trust me this place is magic when cold beer is involved), pile your friends into your car and head up north for a lovely day in the sun! Tip: With the new motorway bypassing Orewa, it may cost a tariff but is totally worth it - now it only takes 45 minutes to get to The Cement Works!

The Old Cement Works is one of my favourite places in Warkworth. As the name suggests, it was an…read moreoperational cement and lime works until 1928. Today it's a historcial site; all that's left is a creepy, yet somehow beautiful pile of chimney ruins. They make a lovely photo, but I wouldn't get too close, they really are ruins. Some even say it's haunted by workers from the past (only the nice ones of course). Once you've taken your snaps the flooded quarry makes a perfect swimming hole. Part of the Mahurangi river, the water is deep and fresh. No sand and no salt! It does get deep very quickly though, so watch the little uns'. It's very peaceful along the river with some beautiful old willow trees to picnic under. Pack a blanket, your ham and egg sammies and it's a lovely place to spend the afternoon.

I've always found the Albany Lakes to be a slightly surreal place. In fact Albany in general is…read moresurreal. Everything is spaced out over the land so you can't walk from place to place, and it's got these bloody massive traffic sewer roads and roundabouts that make it impossible to walk around without being taken out by some manus driving at 70... And then there's this lovely park with lakes in the middle. It's like the town planners went "shit, you know we've forgotten about people in our quest to faciliate mass traffic movement", so they threw this in. It's not an urban park at all in that it's kind of disconnected from everything else in Albany, but once you're in it's rather lovely. There's a nice boardwalk crossing the lakes that oddly reminds me of Pukekura Park in New Plymouth without all the trees. You can walk around the lakes. There are little decks to sunbathe on, and spots where you can stick your feet in the water - serenity in autopia. Also it's a pretty sweet place for events. I remember constantly being here for the Rugby World Cup when they had live music and big screen showing the games - good times. Now we just need the rest of Albany to develop like a proper town (i.e. not a series of widely spaced big boxes) and this park will fit nicely. Right now it kinda feels like a pleasant exception to the rule.

Great spot for a casual walk. Especially if you're wondering around the mall and decide you need…read moresome fresh air. Plus a good spot for lunch when the weather is good. I live fairly close by so this is my usual night walk spot. It's very well kept and really brings the whole Albany area together. They also host events on this land too which is really cool.

Long Bay beach is a favourite of both North Shore locals and Aucklander's coming from further…read moreafield. In the summer theres always a heap of people here sunbaking, swimming and barbequing, but its one of those places that never seems to be overly packed regardless of this, carparking is an issue though as evidenced this summer when people were waiting over 2 hours for parks, so make sure to get in early! There seems to be enough room for everyone, unlike beaches like Takapuna and Mission Bay where it looks like people are almost lying on top of one another. Theres nothing better than going for a walk down the kilometre long beach, but if thats not your thing there is a kids playground, and a grassy reserve complete with BBQ and picnic areas, nice changing rooms and toilet facilities. Its also a safe beach for swimming, so a refreshing dip in the sunshine is a definate must. If your into the whole communing with nature thing, further north from Long Bay are two secluded Bays accessible only on foot. Pohutukawa Bay the furthest of these is one of Aucklands most popular nude beaches

Kauwau Island is such a special spot for me. There's just something different about it. And Ladies…read moreBay epitomises this for me. It's really secluded but you can also get off the boat and walk 500 metres to the café in Mansion House Bay. You get all the perks of having a secluded bay, but with the benefits of being able to pop over for a coffee when your blood needs a hit of caffeine. We love going snorkeling here as the water is so clear. You hardly need a snorkel and mask. There's always loads of kina and the odd fish if you're lucky. This bay is way quieter than its neighbours Mansion House Bay and Copper Mine Bay so I suggest you go here on long weekends and during the peak season to avoid feeling like you're still in Auckland. There's also a track that goes from the Bay and will take you all over the island. It's a great way to spend the day and get some exercise.

This golden sand beach is wonderful as it's just behind the strip of many great little cafes and…read moreshops as well as one of the beaches along East Coast bays with the concrete walkway. It's connected to Murrays one way and Campbell's the other way and makes for a nice treat, especially with a buddy or a 4-legged companion. It's best at low tide but it was also a shrieking-good surprise with the waves coming in at high tide as well. The grass is elevated behind a stone wall from the beach with swings above the sand. The Mairangi Bay Surf Life saving Club sits just to one corner with patrols during the weekends. We came and saw littles running one weekend morning doing their water safety training. There were also heaps of people in the water and as well as boat taken out. Definitely a great one for summer

I have very fond memories of going here with my grandparents. Good place to take children. I don't…read morethink old bypass my local beach to drive there but like to pop in when I'm going past.