Kennedy Park — Attraction in Devonport-Takapuna

Stunning coastal views & relaxed atmosphere "Nice park on the clifftop with great sea views. There's a big playground for the kids, picnic tables, and a pétanque court." “fantastic park and walkway”—a perfect spot for a stroll or introducing friends to .

Perfect for family time and pets Visitors love its family-friendly vibe: great for picnics, kids, and dog walks. A reviewer noted it’s “not a big park but lovely views of the harbour with its islands. Good for a picnic or dog walk.”

Pathways, History & Activities

Historic and scenic walking route The Kennedy Park to Castor Bay path is celebrated for its “spectacular scenery, leafy tracks and picturesque beaches”—a nature lover’s delight .

Rich in history The park boasts significant Māori and military heritage, including remnants of WWII gun installations. Guided tours through these historic tunnels are available monthly .

Why It’s Great

Feature Details

Scenic Beauty Elevated clifftop views of the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto, and Castor Bay. Facilities Playgrounds, picnic spots, pétanque courts—makes it ideal for families, exercise, and social outings. Cultural Depth Offers a blend of Māori archaeology and WWII structures, giving walks both visual and historical appeal. Accessible Pathways Kid-friendly walks with shaded play areas and beach access via stairs (though sometimes under repair).

Whether you're after a pleasant walk, a family picnic, or a glimpse into local heritage, Kennedy Park offers a blend of nature, recreation, and history that keeps visitors...

Kennedy Memorial Park can be accessed from the Beach Road, Castor Bay in the North Shore of Auckland NZ. It is named to commemorate the late US President J.F. Kennedy. It is a WWII historic building and is suitable for small group picnics and a very popular venue for children’s birthday parties. The historical tunnels are open for guided tours on the second Sunday of each month, between 11.00 AM and 2.00 PM. Military Historian volunteers will guide you through the tunnels and explain the background to each feature. There are pictorial displays to support the information on the guns and you will learn about one of the finest examples of military defensive camouflage still extant today.

History of this park goes back to WWII where the gun emplacements and tunnels you now see are the remnants of a 6-inch gun battery constructed during 1941 and 1942 as part of Auckland's World War II defenses. Castor Bay was one of three-gun batteries whose purpose was to defend the northern approaches to the Rangitoto Channel, the others were at Whangaparaoa and Motutapu.

Apart from the WWII history, Kennedy Park is very popular because of its long, steep wooden staircase leading to the beach below. It is a great place to practice climbing steep staircases such as Devils staircase in the Tongariro alpine track. You will be challenged to descend and ascend a steep short span of roughly about 150 steep steps in 300 meters. The view from the top of the staircase over the Rangitoto island and the surrounding sea is...

If you don't live nearby, this one will have passed you by. A long field of grass above the sparkling Hauraki with beautiful views, and usually a long staircase down to the beach which periodically gets ruined by landslides (which it currently is, as of Autumn '18). But...you do get to see the remains of wartime Auckland scattered about, which is worth the stop. The cute 30's house is actually a disguised concrete observation bunker (you can rent it if you're into DooWoop Era parties), there are gun emplacements for the kids to explore, and various concrete things lying around. Lots of info boards for the olds, and plenty to clamber on for the young. AND a playground too! Popular with the petanque crowd - there's a club there you can join. Recommended if you're wandering down the coast road on the way to lunch in one...