I probably like Milford park more than the average punter because I grew up down the road…read more Throughout my childhood, I spent many a day at Milford Park climbing the trees, playing BYC and go home stay home. Trip down memory lane aside, Milford Park is still a great spot to bring the kiddies. There is a freshly painted, bright blue playground, toilets, BBQ pits AND the Beach is right next door. Not to mention in Summer there is frequently concerts or outdoor movie screenings. Oh, and for all those runners out there every Wednesday night there is a fun run that leaves from the Milford Cruising Club in the park and goes to Takapuna and back for only $7 ($3 for kids), free drink included!

I shouldn't review the park as high as I would prefer to keep this to myself - but better to be…read morehonest. A good little suburban park - good parking, safe kids playground, beach volleyball courts and the beach a hop and a skip away. The Creek provides a bit of action if the tide is in as the yachts and fisher boats trailing and out over the 4 hours of tide. Good takeouts and coffee close by in Milford and it is not surprising the number of people who get fish and chips from PJs (another secret) and eat them on the picnic tables worth a visit

Fantastic park and walkway that I got to introduce to friends who had never heard of it or been…read morebefore! So glad they know of it now, especially the one who has a dog whose allowed on this track. Just next to Castor Bay, Kennedy is home to gun emplacements as well as tunnels from the Second World War. The tunnels are only open second Sunday of every month between 11am and 2pm for guided walks by volunteers from the Kennedy Park WWII Trust. There is also ample green grass and shade from trees next to the wooden coastal walkway. There is a sturdy wooden staircase leading to Back Beach where several people were doing up and down stair-runs and other fit-stuff. Good on them. Unfortunately we came at high tide so couldn't make it full all the way around the cliffs but definitely coming back at low tide to do more walk exploring and go for a swim! Having said that though, we instead did the coastal walk, noticed the spiderweb-centred playground that looked like fun as well. A proper dedicated car park space you can turn into after the main sign. Such a great park space- must see.

JF Kennedy Park is one of those fantastic spots that has somehow managed to remain relatively…read moreunknown - well, unknown enough at least to ensure it's not overcrowded or anything. You get there a little turnoff into a carpark off Beach Road which reveals a wide expanse of park complete with a quality playground. At first you don't quite realise how high up you are, but then you notice the water of the Hauraki Gulf on the horizon out to the east, walk to the edge of the park, and see that you're actually on a high clifftop. You can follow a wooden staircase all the way down the cliff-face, revealing a beautiful beach mercifully free of direct car access which makes gives it a nice secluded feel. It is a favourite of the fitness/dog walking crowd, but most of the time this beach is pretty well empty so it's a great place to come for a swim, enjoy some Vitamin D, and marvel at the golden rock of the cliff. My favourite time to come is just before sunset - it's especially peaceful around this time, and in summer the water's still lovely and warm.

The perfect children's park... why? Because you can lock them in! This park is large enough to set…read moreup some great picnic blankets and bring the whanau but small enough to be able to scan the whole area at once to locate those mischeivious children. The gates run along the whole outside of the park and secure properly so no kiddies can get out. The playground itself has something to please everyone with poles, tunnels, swings and my favourite... the octopus spinning thing! This one's big enough for adults to have a play on! Although beware you don't want to be sitting opposite a tiny tot or the whole thing will tip your way! The park is close to the beach and the shops so swimming, ice cream and fish and chips are only a stroll away!

Great playground with a brand new merry go round. Fully fenced to keep the kids safe & quite a few…read morepicnic tables and park benches scattered around. There are paved paths for kids to ride their scooters or balance bikes & the spinning tire swing is very popular with the school aged kids. The climbing equipment is in great condition too.

This reserve /beach is a lovely beach to come to, its located in between Campbells Bay and Milford…read moreBeach. Its a lovely beach for kids as the water is quite shallow and very small waves so they can run around it in without you being too anxious. Some people might not like the fact that its lined with rocks, however for smaller children its actually quite nice as it gives them something to explore and learn about. My toddler had great fun running around in the water today and picking up and throwing the rocks and it was lovely and warm due to it being shallow. There is also a walk you can do along the coast via JF Kennedy Memorial walkway, you can then continue walking onto Campbells Bay via Beach road if you wish, you will get some beautiful views from here. This reserve has a small but nice playground for the kids, and a great big tree for the older ones to climb. The reserve also has some shaded areas if you don't want to be right under the sun.

Castor Bay Beach is aiiight. It's not huge but it's quite sheltered, more so than neighbouring…read morebeaches, Milford & Campbell. There's a small children's playground at one end and basic shower/toilet facilities. Parking is limited. Easily my favourite time to go to Castor Bay is low tide. Then you can climb around the rocks at the north end to this small secluded beach below Kennedy Park. I'm pretty sure that dogs are allowed off leash here too, even in the peak of Summer. If you're feeling energetic, climb the steep stairs and check out the WWII gun emplacements and tunnels. They're not as good as the ones at North Head but still, pretty impressive!

This beach is rather short with not too much beach at high tide but it does has two saving graces;…read more 1) There is a great little park and playground at the south-eastern end complete with loos and an outdoor showers (of course!) 2) At the Northern end you can walk right the way round the rocks to Murrays Bay. It takes about 40mins and is a brilliant walk to do with four legged friends. TIP: Stop in at Paper Moon Cafe in Mairangi for a coffee or even better some Kapiti Icecream - delish!

A small though wide beach that looks across the ocean onto Rangitoto and has beach front property…read moreon the other side. You can access it from Huntly Road where there are public bathrooms and a cute playground for the kids. There are a few parks and not too far away a man-made wooden bridge that leads onto blue-y boulders and stone lined sand walkway down to the beach. At the end of the beach begins the concrete/stone walkway that goes onto Mairangi and Murray Bay. Lovely neat little beach

In Summer, when our four legged friends aren't allowed on the beach during the day, this is my…read morego-to walking spot. Dogs are allowed off-lead and my dogs, who have grown up on the beach, get very excited by the new smells/sights of the bush. Not too mention, the thick foliage offers welcome shade from the scorching heat. My suggestions is to enter the park via Beach Road, as if you're going to Campbells Bay Tennis Club, and park just inside the gate. Once parked, veer to the right and you will find yourself on the Kohekohe track - a 40minute loop up the right-hand side of the park and back down the gully. Although the path is well trodden, definitely wearing a decent pair sneakers - the terrain can be a tad sketchy! If you want to make an afternoon of it, there is a beautiful, grassy clearing at the start of the track that would be perfect for a picnic on a hot day!

A little bit of Titirangi in Campbell's Bay. My kids grew up playing tennis at the club and walked…read morethrough the park to school. Good walking trails through the bush, a favourite with dog walkers. Bordered by the golf course up on East Coast Road and with two entrances (one at the end of Rae Rd and on Beach Rd). Nice sea views from the higher grassed areas where there's the occasional seat. You're also close to Campbell's Bay Beach, head further down Beach Rd and turn right into Huntly Rd.

Roxy and Lulu absolutely froth over this place. So many new smells and friends to be made. Milford…read morebeach really is a haven for dogs. This morning we even came across a rather large stingray that had washed up during the storm, which got the critters v.excited (and rather smelly). As far as beaches go, I would say Milford is of average size. At a leisurely pace it probably takes around 15mins to walk from one end to the other. However, If you are feeling spry I would highly recommend continuing on to Takapuna. The views are spectacular and the terrain is varied, which keeps things interesting. Be sure to wear your walking shoes though as things get a bit rocky! Whilst Milford Beach is great for dogs/morning walks it definitely not may fav spot for sunbathing. The sand is rather gritty and at high tide there is no beach to speak of. Instead head around to the much more secluded Thorne Bay.

A great beach with a huge field and playground nearby for the kids- at the main entrance and car…read morepark. There are lots of trees for climbing in and to rest in the shade as well as public BBQ's available. A boat launch lives right down the end in the corner. Several residential streets lead onto this beach- thankfully as it's sometimes a mission to find a park in the height of summer in the main area. A great view straight across to Rangitoto as well as rock pools on each end of the beach when it's low tide. Have spent many a childhood summer day looking into it trying to finding walking crabs, shrimps and other aquatic things. It's quite extensive rock pools so you can walk around and out quite a bit. The water is somewhat green-clear and great for swimming- not too rough and in the summer time they have lifeguard flags to keep the littlies safe in the water. Golden sand and a decent sized beach for you to lay down a towel and get some sun tanning in. They also have concrete walkways elevated above the sand when it's too high tide that wraps around the edge of the sand towards Takapuna. Beautiful sunsets here and great for dogs. A low key version of Takapuna that's nearby and still lovely.

This very random skate park sits on the side of a busy main road. It's nothing totally fancy but it…read moresure is good enough to have a bit of fun on. From my point of view (I'm a very average skater) it looks like there's something to please every skater. There's nice friendly looking slopes for people like me and some rails and jumps for the real shredders. There's even this pole thing sticking out of the ground - who the hell knows what you're supposed to do on that... but it looks pretty hard core. The best thing I'd say about this one is that it's usually pretty empty. Most of the time I drive past there might be one or two people riding up and down but there's never a huge amount of people. If you're a local or are driving by with your board in the back of the car I'm sure it would be worth stopping in for a little jam and checking it out. Would beat riding up and down your road over and over again I'm sure.

This is an open letter to the good gentlemen who operate the Lotto. Dear Sirs, please can you pick…read morethe correct numbers, as I am doing my share by filling in the little form. The reason I would like you to pick the correct numbers, is so that I can buy a small bach near Mairangi Bay beach. The small beach on Auckland's East Coast Bays, is just the place where I can see myself living. The water is good for swimming, the beach is not too big, and not too small, and the eye candy is plentiful. There is just enough parking to keep away the masses, and it is just a short walk away from Mairangi Bay village. A village filled with excellent dining options, and all the facilities a Lotto winner will need. Thank you, I await your selection.

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 am such a huge fan of the outdoors and we are just spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches in…read moreour beautiful city. Located on the North Shore in between Mairangi Bay and Rothesay Bay is this little gem called Murrays Bay. With a lovely stretch of soft beach to relax upon, and a bay that is perfect for swimming, and boating. The Murrays Bay Wharf is great for jumping off in high tide, as there is a nice depth to the water for a big splash. If you are a keen fisherman/woman, or kid sink a line off the wharf and as you ponder on the view of Rangitoto island wait on that lucky bite. Great place really to teach the young children to fish, as it is safe and picturesque. The Bay is also home to Murrays Bay Sailing Club; located at 513 Beach Road which offers sailing facilities for all levels of dinghy sailing. An East Coast Bays jewel to sum it up.

The North Shore is inundated with great beaches and I feel like Murray Bay often gets forgotten…read more Though I do think there are better beaches nearby, on a hot summers day Murrays Bay is a great option, and will probably be a bit less crowded. It's pretty small which I quite like, and when it's busy there is a really cool family vibe. There's a great grassy area, perfect for a picnic, some games, or some chill time under the shade of a tree. The water is really safe to swim in, and to rocks bordering either end of the beach make for some really good exploring. My favourite part of the beach however, is the wharf. This is one mother of a wharf, and is one of the most well-known among fellow wharf jumpers. When it's sunny and the tide is up, it is littered with sunbathers, walkers, jumpers and spectators. There is an easy to use staircase making getting back out of the water simple. And because the beach is pretty sheltered, it's always calm.