Exploring Campbells Bay
Campbells Bay, located on the North Shore of Auckland, is the southernmost of three scenic beaches between Red Bluff and Tatarata Point.
This area is part of the North Shore Coastal Walk, which is also part of Te Araroa. Campbells Bay, along with Mairangi Bay and Murrays Bay, is safe and inviting for swimming, making it a popular destination for beachgoers.
Golden Sands and Scenic Reserve
The beach at Campbells Bay is known for its striking golden sand. At the southern end, a charming reserve is bordered by a stream, adding to the area's natural beauty.
Previously, the reserve behind the beach featured six bronze penguin sculptures, which were a notable attraction. However, some of these sculptures have unfortunately been stolen and damaged.
Walking the Coastal Track
The track connecting Campbells Bay with Mairangi Bay and Murrays Bay runs below coastal cliffs and is both flat and easy to navigate. This makes it a popular choice for walkers looking to enjoy the coastal views along the North Shore.
How to get there
To reach Campbells Bay from Downtown Auckland is somewhat circuitous, with several options for connecting roads. One route is to take the northern motorway to the Northcote offramp, then head northeast on Northcote Road to Taharoto Road. Turn northwest on Taharoto Road and follow this for a short distance, then turn northeast on Shakespeare Road. Continue on Shakespeare Road, then head northwest on East Coast Road. At Aberdeen Road, turn northeast and continue to Beach Road. There, turn left and continue until you see the Huntly Road access to the Campbells Beach. There is parking in the reserve. This, or other routes of around 18 km, will take about 20 minutes.
Walking southeast from the beach, past Red Bluff, will take you to the steep stairs up the side of the cliffs below Kennedy Park and Rahopara Pā.
