North Shore, Auckland

With a 141 kilometre stretch of urban coastline (New Zealand's longest) Auckland's North Shore is renowned for its stunning beaches and coastal destinations. North Shore is our country's fourth largest city, best known for its sunny East Coast Bays, just a stone's throw from the buzz of Auckland City.

Located north of Auckland City, the North Shore region is accessible from central Auckland via the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The North Shore spans the area from Devonport (in the south) to Albany and Rodney (in the north).

Explore North Shore suburbs and areas:

• Albany: the fast growing Albany region combines rural roads and modern motorways. Albany village is a picturesque area with cafes, restaurants and bars, as well as Massey University's Auckland campus. The Albany Mega Centre provides shopping galore from all the major retailers. Albany's landmark is North Harbour Stadium, the home of North Harbour Rugby. Come to Albany for a rural lifestyle with all the comforts of modern life within reach; Albany is just 15 kilometres northwest of Auckland’s city centre.

• Greenhithe: the village of Greenhithe is a welcome escape from the city life of Auckland and a retreat into an area of native bush. With modern amenities, Greenhithe retains its old world charm with historic buildings, a picturesque harbour and a rural setting.

• Birkenhead: lying just minutes from the Auckland Harbour bridge, in southern North Shore, Birkenhead gives visitors the chance to enjoy beach and reserve walks, cafe dining and water sports. The southern area of Birkenhead, on the shores of the Waitemata Harbour, is known as Birkenhead Point and offers great views of Auckland City and the Harbour Bridge. Dotted throughout Birkenhead and Northcote, the studios of artists and craftspeople make up the Harbourside Art Trail.

• Northcote: nestled in beside Birkenhead, Northcote was once known for its market gardens and quality soil. With the building of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the suburb quickly grew as access to the city improved. Visit the Northcote Shopping Centre hub for Asian supermarkets, ethnic restaurants and community facilities.

• Browns Bay and East Coast Bays: known for its shopping and beaches, Browns Bay is one of nine East Coast Bays. Home to around 4,000 people, Browns Bay provides a safe swimming beach and views across to the volcanic Rangitoto Island and other islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Nearby you'll find other bays, including Torbay, Long Bay, Murrays Bay, Rothesay Bay and Mairangi Bay. Enjoy a dip in the sea, a stroll on the beach, a watersport thrill or a soak in the sun.

• Devonport: at the south of the North Shore, the picturesque town of Devonport marks the earliest point of settlement in the area. This popular destination is just ten minutes by ferry from Auckland City and sits on a peninsular jutting into the Waitemata Harbour. Wander through picturesque Devonport on foot to explore cafes, galleries and boutique stores. Food, wine and arts festivals draw crowds during the year. The suburb's houses are predominantly wooden villas, built in the 1880's and now giving Devonport a distinctive charm. Climb Mount Victoria for views of the Hauraki Gulf and to stand atop what was once a Maori pa, or fortified settlement. As a perfect vantage point, Mount Victoria was the ideal base for the Royal New Zealand Navy, and remains the naval base and home to the Navy Museum.

• Glenfield: located nine kilometres from Auckland City, Glenfield is flanked by the suburbs of Sunnybrook, Forrest Hill, Birkenhead, Northcote, Marlborough and Takapuna. Within Glenfield there are commercial shopping areas, a sports and leisure centre and an industrialised zone. This satellite suburb connects Birkenhead with Takapuna and the East Coast Bays.

• Takapuna: a popular beach destination, Takapuna is the jewel of the North Shore with coastal areas on Shoal Bay, the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. Takapuna Beach itself is a long, crescent shaped sandy beach extending the length of the town. The Takapuna Market is a Sunday favourite with locals and visitors, serving up fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, crafts and specialty items. Stroll through the town for café dining, boutique shopping and views of Rangitoto Island. As an arty centre, Takapuna is also the spot where North Shore locals come to see theatre performances and art at the Pumphouse Theatre and Gallery. Nearby the water-filled volcanic crater, Lake Pukake, makes for great kayaking and sailing.

• Beach Haven and Birkdale: seaside suburbs just fifteen minutes from Auckland City, with an abundance of parks, beaches, sports grounds and schools. As well as residential areas, there are commercial and industrial zones.

• Milford: located to the north of Lake Pukake, Milford is a popular spot thanks to its famous swimming beach.

• Castor Bay: nestled between Milford and Campbells Bay, this small East Coast bay was once the site of Rahopara Pa, a Maori settlement and lookout point. Today, Kennedy Park makes a great clifftop picnic location.

• Campbells Bay: home to Centennial Park, one of the North Shore's largest city parks. Here you'll find an internationally recognised golf course, a variety of birdlife, and both native and exotic flora.

Other North Shore suburbs include: Bayswater, Belmont, North Harbour, Highbury, Hillcrest, Waiake, Wairau Valley and Westlake.

Looking for more information? Find listings for North Shore in the NZS.com directory.

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Travel images from Flickr: North Shore View, New Zealand Lake and Dolphin.