Shakespear Regional Park facts for kids

Shakespear Regional Park is a fantastic nature park located in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. You can find it right at the very tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. The park gets its name from the Shakespear family, who bought this beautiful land in the 1880s from the local Māori people. It's a special place where you can explore nature, see amazing wildlife, and enjoy the outdoors.

A tui bird enjoying the flax flowers at Shakespear Regional Park.

Discovering Shakespear Regional Park

Shakespear Regional Park is a popular spot for both locals and visitors. It offers stunning views, lovely beaches, and a chance to connect with nature. The park is a great example of how we can protect our environment for future generations.

Explore the Trails

The park has several fun walkways for you to explore. These trails let you discover different parts of the park and enjoy the scenery.

• Heritage Trail: This trail might tell you about the park's history.
• Lookout Track: Perfect for amazing views of the surrounding area.
• Tiri Tiri Track: This path could lead you towards views of the nearby island sanctuary.

Walking trails wind through the beautiful landscape of Shakespear Regional Park.

Another exciting path is the ‘Waterfall Gully’ trail. If you visit after it has rained, you'll see a wonderful waterfall. It's a real treat!

Coastal Wonders

The coastline of Shakespear Regional Park is very impressive. Many parts are lined with tall sandstone cliffs. These cliffs provide shelter for the sandy Te Haruhi Bay, which is a great place to relax by the beach.

Te Haruhi Bay, a beautiful beach sheltered by cliffs at Shakespear Regional Park.

On the western side of the park, a narrow flat area separates two other bays: Okoromai Bay and Army Bay. These areas add to the diverse landscape of the park.

Protecting Wildlife

A large part of Shakespear Regional Park is inside the Shakespear Open Sanctuary. This sanctuary is a special place dedicated to protecting New Zealand's unique wildlife.

To keep the animals safe, a special fence was built. This fence is about 1.7 kilometers (just over 1 mile) long. It stretches across the peninsula and was finished in March 2011. This fence helps to keep out pests like rats and stoats.

A Kereru, also known as the New Zealand pigeon, resting in a tree.

Inside the sanctuary, many native creatures thrive. You can find small invertebrates (like insects) and lizards. Birds also love this safe haven. Many birds fly over from the nearby Tiritiri Matangi Island sanctuary to visit Shakespear.

To make the park even safer, special methods were used in July 2011 to remove mammalian pests. A group called the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society has worked hard with the government to create and develop this amazing sanctuary. Their efforts help ensure that the park remains a safe home for its precious wildlife.

Images for kids

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  Sheep and lambs grazing peacefully at Shakespear Regional Park.