4 Best North Shore Playgrounds with Stunning Beach Views (Tested by 5-Year-Old Twins)

Stick around until the end — I'll reveal a super hidden gem playground in Devonport that almost nobody knows about. Great views, great facilities, and barely any crowds.

It's been three weeks since our family moved to Auckland for my wife's graduate school, and honestly, most of that time has been assembling IKEA furniture. But no matter how chaotic things got, one thing we never skipped was taking the kids to a nearby playground or park. And here's what I've already fallen in love with about living in Devonport: playgrounds are everywhere. Because there are so many of them, they rarely get overcrowded — and the ones near the beach? Chef's kiss. The views are so good that even the adults actually enjoy themselves instead of just surviving the trip.

We bought a used car two days after arriving in Auckland, and from that point on, we started scouting playgrounds immediately. We've found a lot of great ones, but today I'm sharing our top picks — not just for the playground itself, but for the stunning beach views that make the whole experience worth it for the grown-ups too.

Takapuna Beach Reserve Playground

If you're a North Shore local, you probably already know this one — it's the most well-known playground in the area, and it was one of the first places we visited. We went on a weekend, so it was a bit busy, but the grassy area and beach nearby are so spacious that it never felt cramped.

📸 Watch stunning full-screen slideshows of Takapuna Beach here.

• The playground itself can be a little challenging for 5-year-olds, but there's a separate toddler section too, so even if your little one just started walking, they'll have a great time.
• There are restrooms and a rinse station on-site — a huge plus after sandy, messy play sessions.
• The Takapuna beach view speaks for itself. Absolutely stunning bonus.
• Parking on weekends can be a bit of a struggle. Streets like The Strand and Gibbons Rd are your best bet — just be ready for a short walk.
• Plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby (including Korean BBQ and Japanese!). A little pricey, but solid options when the kids are done and everyone's hungry.

Devonport Playground

We live in Devonport, so we're constantly at the New World nearby for grocery runs. One day, on the way back, we took a little detour — and stumbled upon this place. Honestly, we were blown away.

Located right next to the Devonport Ferry terminal, this playground has gorgeous sea views and a setup that somehow keeps the kids entertained without them constantly pulling you away from actually enjoying the scenery.

📸 Watch stunning full-screen slideshows of Devonport here.

• It's not as flashy as Takapuna, but well-equipped enough for kids to have a blast. The equipment is a bit more spread out, which actually gives it a more relaxed, airy feel.
• We've visited on both weekdays and weekends and it's never been overwhelmingly busy. Street parking nearby is usually 90–120 minutes, and there's generally enough space — no stress.
• When the kids need a break, pop into the Devonport Library right next door (usually closes around 5–5:30pm). From the moment you walk in, there are children's books and little toys to play with. My 5-year-old daughter was obsessed with the big LEGO blocks in there.
• Across the street you'll find a vintage bookshop, cafes, and a great ice cream spot — adds a whole extra layer of fun to the visit.
• Big open grassy area next to the playground gives everything a spacious, unhurried feel. And the Moreton Bay Fig tree right beside the playground? Genuinely jaw-dropping. One of those trees that makes you stop and say wow.
• Note: most shops across the street close after 5pm.

Cheltenham Beach Playground

We discovered this one completely by accident — picked the kids up from school, took a different route home, and saw it from the top of a hill. The view on the way down was so beautiful we immediately pulled over.

The playground is smaller than the others, but I would honestly argue it has the most scenic slide in the world. Not even exaggerating. The view from that slide is something else. The beach itself is arguably the real star here. The tide difference is super dramatic, and on summer evenings, the kids can walk far out into the shallows, spot little shells and clams in the sand, and splash around in the waves. This is our kids' most-visited beach — their absolute favorite.

• Generally not crowded, and parking is available on nearby streets.
• The entrance can be a bit confusing at first, but if you come through Balmain Reserve, there's a public toilet there too.
• Pro tip: there's a small parking spot right where Oxford Terrace meets Cheltenham Rd — handy to know.

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  Cheltenham Beach Playground — small in size, but with one of the most scenic slide views in the world.

Narrow Neck Playground

If Cheltenham has the world's most scenic slide, the playground next to Narrow Neck Beach has the world's most scenic seesaw. No joke.

• A short walk from the playground takes you to Gun Forts / Fort Takapuna — a little mysterious and adventurous, which the kids absolutely loved.
• Like Cheltenham, the beach access is incredible — literally right in front of the playground is a sandy beach.
• The beach is slightly smaller compared to Takapuna or Cheltenham, but the water is shallow and not too cold, making it perfect for kids to just run in whenever they're tired of the playground.
• Parking is plentiful right across from the playground. No stress here at all.

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🤫 The Secret Playground I Promised You

Okay, as promised — here it is.

It's called Indie's Playground, and we found it completely by chance while driving through the neighborhood. Head to where Wesley St meets Kawerau Avenue, then keep going a little further west — it's tucked away at the end of a lane.

The playground itself is small, but because it's so under the radar, it's always quiet, always clean, and always feels like your own little hideaway. It's right next to Plymouth Reserve, which makes for a lovely walk. Our kids and I have our own name for the trail through there — we call it the Secret Path or the Secret Garden. The kids absolutely love it.

One heads-up though: Plymouth Reserve has fairly narrow paths, and we've often seen people walking very large dogs off-leash there. If you or your little ones are nervous around big dogs, just keep that in mind before you go.

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Before we moved to New Zealand, a lot of people asked us, “What’s so great about going there? Life is already good where you are.” Every time, my answer was the same: “for the kids.” All the research we did before moving here kept pointing to that, and now that we’ve been in Auckland for three weeks, I can honestly say the hype is real.

It’s an incredibly nature-driven, kid-friendly place to grow up. The schools are deeply connected to the outdoors and heavily focused on hands-on activities. On top of that, Kiwis genuinely adore children. If you’re thinking about moving somewhere for a better environment for your kids, I’d strongly recommend considering New Zealand.