Fort Takapuna is a coastal defence reserve on a headland at Narrow Neck, on Auckland's North Shore. The headland is known by its older name, O Peretū, after the Tainui ancestor who settled and named the site. The reserve holds elements from every period of New Zealand coastal defence, and its guns, searchlights and bunkers look out over the Hauraki Gulf toward Rangitoto.
The fort has twin six-inch disappearing guns, an underground magazine, barracks and WW2 four-inch gun emplacements, and some of these can be walked through. The fort was built in the 1880s, and it also served as a training area for soldiers from across New Zealand, Niue and Rarotonga. In 1919 its camp hospital quarantined flu victims, and after WWII it was used as a maternity ward. The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps worked its guns, searchlights and hospital from 1942.
The reserve has a historic walk that takes families through the military history, with views across the gulf. Guided tours of North Head and Fort Takapuna are also offered. Narrow Neck Beach at the western end of the reserve is tidal, so a swim is best at high tide. There are no toilets on the reserve, but facilities are at Narrow Neck Beach. The cliff edges are steep, and children need close supervision. Dogs are not allowed on the reserve from 9am to 7pm from Labour Weekend Saturday to Easter Monday.
The reserve is on Vauxhall Road. Ferries run from downtown Auckland to Devonport, and it is about a 40-minute walk from Devonport along the waterfront.
Our pick on the North Shore for a walk through coastal defence history with the gulf on one side.