Cheltenham Beach — Attraction in Devonport-Takapuna

Cheltenham Beach is in Devonport, on the North Shore of Auckland.  • It’s a sandy beach, part of the harbour shoreline, facing towards Rangitoto Island. 

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Features & Amenities • Gentle, calm water — suitable for swimming, especially when the tide is in.  • Large sandy area; at low tide the beach extends out, but swimming can require walking out.  • Shaded grassy areas and trees behind some parts of the beach, good for picnics.  • Public amenities nearby: toilets / changing rooms are accessible. Also cold-water showers in some cases.  • Nearby attractions: North Head Historic Reserve (Maungauika), which has walks, lookout points, old military tunnels etc. Also the Devonport village (cafés, eateries, shops) is close. 

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Things to Do • Swim — best when tide and water condition are good.  • Walk along the shoreline, especially at low tide.  • Picnics, relaxing on the sand, reading, sunbathing.  • Kayaking or paddle-boarding (calm waters often make it suitable).  • Walk up to North Head for views of the harbour, Rangitoto, and the city. 

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Access & Getting There • From the Devonport Ferry Terminal: about 1.5 km walk to Cheltenham Beach. Scenic and pleasant walk.  • By public transport: buses are available around Devonport that will drop you close. Also accessible via road / driving, with parking nearby though parking may be limited in peak times.  • The beach area is open all the time (24 hours), though amenities and facilities (like shops, cafés etc.) follow their own hours. 

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Safety & Water Quality • Water quality is generally good, but after heavy rainfall it can be affected — as with many beaches.  • The beach is not patrolled by surf life-guards, so extra care should be taken with children and weaker swimmers.  • Be aware of tides — at low tide, water may be shallow/inaccessible in parts; high tide is better for...

Cheltenham Beach is our local beach and it's beautiful. Many people walk their dogs here and there are off-leash times available.

There are often kite surfers here and at low tide you can walk all the way around to Takapuna if you time the tides right and make sure you keep an eye on the times.

Great for picnics, sun bathing, shell collecting and swimming especially. When the tide is out it is waaaay out, so you have to walk out a fair bit of you're keen to swim but it's doable.

Beautiful Spanish style home right near the beach. Great spot to bring the family, with a park including swings, slides and see saw for the kids.

There are a few entrances/roadways and some parking available but best to park on the main road. Drop off your stuff first.

All in all a fabulous beach, popular in summer and beautiful views out to Rangitoto Island of course!

Enjoy your visit to...

Cheltenham, I grew up at this beach so I love it. For those visiting, catch the ferry over from the city (after checking the tides) stroll along the foreshore, round the base of North Head and there you are. There's Rangitoto Island at its best. The beach is great for families, super safe. North Head is there for older children to be adventurous on. You can swim 3-4 hours either side of the high tide. Toilets are at the north end and middle. There is a playground at the north end too. There are no shops but the Vauxhall Dairy is very...