Whangaparaoa is a seaside town built along the Whangaparaoa Peninsula; about 30 minutes north of Auckland by road, or 50 minutes by ferry from Auckland to Gulf Harbour.  Shopping can be done at the Whangaparaoa Plaza Town Centre, Manly Village, Red Beach or Silverdale. Gulf Harbour has marinas, canals, waterside apartments and cafes, and the Gulf Harbour Country Club Golf Course. Shakespear Park is a 929 acre parkland with beaches, picnic areas, camping facilities, mountain biking tracks, bush walking tracks, native birds, and tracks to Hauraki Gulf lookouts.