North Head Historic Reserve

A short walk or even shorter drive up to the summit that has cool underground tunnels for exploration as well as a scenic journey to the top. Stunning 360 views of Cheltenham beach behind the head, Waitemata Harbour, Auckland city skyline, Mount Victoria Reserve nearby and the Hauraki Gulf. Very cool secret pathway to secluded bays and Cheltenham Beach as well.
First used by indigenous Maori for defence purposes then becoming a significant historical coastal defence site in New Zealand, it still retains its history with its military tunnels, disappearing gun, fortifications and old stone kitchen that plays a film about the summit complex.
An enjoyable way to spend the day either to soak up the sun with gorgeous views and a picnic, play amongst the defences of the past military history or slide down the side of the head on cardboard boxes. North Head is a volcanic cone worth visiting. Definitely take your visiting oversea friends to show them the beauty in Auckland and it’s surroundings.

North Head is one of those places that is endlessly interesting. For one my inner geologist never ceases to be amazed by the exposed layers of tephra on the seaward side — the history of the land literally in your face as you walk past. The war relics like the tunnels and cannons are equally interesting for the kid seeking adventure or the history buff. The contours speak of Maori habitation back in the pre-​European times. The slopes make for perfect surfaces for sliding down on cardboard. Finally, the views to my eye are the best in Auckland — city on one side, sea on the other — gorgeous.
So many wonderful memories here — endless childhood days mucking about in the tunnels and sliding down on cardboard (real estate signs are the best!), summers days spent up there with a pencil trying to capture the view on paper, my first time putting my arm around my girlfriend (there’s a spot near one of the cannons that is «ours»).
What a place.

Perched up in the corner of Devonport, the North Head Historic Reserve is worth visiting to appreciate its historical significance, and worth re-​visiting as a great place to chill out on a sunny day. Today, the breathtaking view serves only as an aesthetic leisure, but this view was once an important military utility — the North Head Reserve was used as a strategic vantage point for early European soldiers. You can explore the tunnels which interconnect various military bunkers that are positioned around the reserve. You can also take a path down to a beautiful cove, secluded on one side by a cliff face, great place for a swim. If you go on a weekday you might get the whole place to yourself.

Ahh North Head, so many good times. Situated in Devonport, it’s right in the middle of great beaches, great restaurants and beautiful homes. North Head is a destination in it’s own right though.
When I was younger we used to take cardboard boxes and slide down the hills. I remember lots of laughing and lots of biddy-​bids in my clothes.
Then I went through a stage of heading up there with a couple of drinks and the car stereo. It was always a great way to spend a night.
And now, I like to walk up there in the weekend, maybe run if I’m feeling good. Feeling puffed has its perks when you’re on top of the world. Alternatively, I like to grab some fish and chips and spend the evening watching the sun set over Auckland city.
You can see massive amounts of Auckland from the summit including Rangitoto Island, The Harbour bridge and the sea.
Beautiful Auckland from a great vantage point.

I have so many great memories of this place and right now I’m feeling a bit sad that it’s been a while since I’ve been here so I’m making a mental note to return soon. The views from the top of North Head are amazing. These views alone make it worth the trip. It’s such a special place to check out with friends, family, tourists or even just your special someone. You feel like you’re somewhere a little bit unreal and you can soak in the views from every angle. Besides the scenery there are awesome things to stumble upon here! I remember being scared of exploring the tunnels when I was younger because war horror stories kept popping into my head and my imagination started running wild. Now I’m older I can just appreciate them all for what they are and how significant they are in our history.
Man after writing this I really can’t wait to return. I might pack a picnic and head over there right now.

Auckland’s tangible war history is thankfully thin on the ground but there was a time when the threat of invation seemed very real and this place was built in the late 1800s to protect us from the Russians. Before that it was a significant site for Maori and you can see why — it affords the most amazing panoramic views of all that is wonderful about Auckland; the beaches, the harbour and the city skyline. And of course allows maximum visibility of any incoming enemy.
The mountain is another of our ancient volcanic cones and is delightfully full of tunnels, dungeons and military relics. I’m not sure if you can still come here at night to freak yourself and your friends out but even during the day it can be foreboding.
It’s incredible that this is a free attraction because it’s one of the best our city has to offer. You can even climb right to the top and watch a movie explaining its history, which is well worth doing if you have the time. I’m not sure if it’s PC and it’s probably a practice that will be shortly banned in the interests of preserving the site’s archaeology, but watching kids slide down the bumpy slopes on bin bags or flattened cardboard boxes is just such fun. They actually get a bit of speed on and the facial expressions are classic. It’s one of the many reasons our kids love coming here and I like the fact that it can be a really active day (if you want it to be) so everyone gets some fresh air and exercise.
North Head truly is one of the best days out in Auckland.

I love this place and I’m always excited to take people here who have never been before. There are so many old war relics to discover (cannons, fortifications and such), and creepy, dark, cold bunkers which become a bit of a maze if you’re not careful. I recommend bringing a torch so that you can see a little better in there.
Not only can you become an archaeologist for a day, the views from the top of this lookout are fantastic out over the water. There are also a few tracks to walk around with nearby beaches and parks. Also if you’re into fishing, there are some pretty cool spots along the rocks. I’ve never actually caught anything, but some of the places look as if they do have potential.

Top of the tourist to-​do list in Auckland. North Head boasts a view out to Rangitoto and over the Gulf on one side and back over Devonport across to Auckland City on the other. This once-​was fortress has tunnels and bunkers to explore for the adventurous and many a picnic spot for the more relaxed at heart.
If you’re keen enough to walk all the way up and/​or interested in the history of this mountain you’ll come across a small building at the top that’s been transformed into a small cinema which plays a short film on the story of North Head (or Maungaika as it was once known). It even has computer generated imaging of how the artillery would have worked and shows how Maungaika as it would have looked in the day — awesome!

An adventure waiting to happen, North Head Historic Reserve is a collection of old military tunnels, cannons and bunkers to explore. Back in the days when they thought New Zealand would be invaded by Russia in the late 1800s, they built this fortress, but it was never used. Much to my excitement, it’s dark and spooky inside, either begging for a rendition of Phantom of the Opera, or a thrilling horror movie.
Take care bouncing around the unpredictable terrain, but have plenty of fun finding new holes and caves, as well as learn a bit of NZ history. The cannons are a great photo opportunity, so be sure to climb up and take a few pictures with your daring friends.
Close to the classy beach resort of Devonport, after your adventure, be sure to head down there and enjoy a well-​deserved coffee.