Located just a few doors up from The Esplanade Hotel on Devonport’s main street, Bookmark is Auckland’s best and easiest to find second-hand bookshop. Within a heritage building overlooking the sea, Bookmark is a welcoming haven for bibliophiles who are encouraged to browse undisturbed through the vast collection.
Choose from collectible First Editions, or from 1000’s of hardback and paperback titles ranging from the merely entertaining to the erudite. BookMark is home to more than 20,000 books. If you are a Bookaholic and are always on the lookout for a place that will feed your obsession, BookMark is that hidden gem that you have been looking for.
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always available to help you find what you are looking for, or to recommend authors…. and if you can’t decide which of the many wonderful books to buy? Curl up on the old leather couch or armchairs with your selection and choose at your leisure.
Travel the world from your armchair
From BookMark’s armchair travel shelves you can join any one of the great travel writers of our time – Bill Bryson in Britain, Bruce Chatwin “In Patagonia”, or even ride the Red Rooster with Paul Theroux in China.
Escape into the world of fiction
No bookshop would be complete without an extensive range of fiction, into which we can escape and explore and, you’re in the hands of gifted writers at BookMark. Our range of quality international paperback fiction at great prices is complimented by our selection of first editions, and sumptuous Folio Society editions. From Art to children’s nostalgia We have extensive art, architecture, biography, and cooking collections, as well as a very popular children’s nostalgia collection, housing books from the late nineteenth century to the 1980’s. A great range of contemporary children’s books can be found in the Red Barrow outside the shop, and in the children’s nook inside.
Venture through the New Zealand section
Discover our broad range of New Zealand titles from early history to contemporary culture and everything in between. Find that special volume that you have been hunting for or rediscover those old childhood favourites.
Man your battle stations and weigh anchor
An ex Royal Marine, owner Mark Owen has created an outstanding Military and Maritime collection. His knowledge of books in this area is extensive, and he is always happy to chat and recommend titles. Visit and rediscover the sensual pleasure of browsing in the warm and cloistered environment that is BookMark. Dedicated to the written word and with a large selection of quality second-hand, used and rare books on all manner of subjects. BookMark has something to suit all discerning tastes. https://visitdevonport.co.nz/bookmarkYou won’t be disappointed.
If you are travelling we are happy to organise postage of your purchases to your home.
We look forward to welcoming you to our very special shop. You can visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/bookmarknz
Open 7 days, 9 am-6 pm
]]>
Indulge in a sumptuous selection of hand-crafted treats served with a selection of fine teas. Relax and enjoy your Victorian High Tea experience in our gardens overlooking the Devonport waterfront or in our Victorian Breakfast Room overlooking our palm gardens.
“A wonderful way to spend the afternoon with family and friends”
Our 3 tier trays come with a fine selection of delicious homemade treats:
Choose from a grand selection of 20 Fine Teas.
Victorian High Tea Parties
The Peace and Plenty Inn can host High Tea Parties for groups of up to 40 people.
A Victorian High Tea Party is a perfect choice for Birthdays, Victorian Hen Parties, Anniversaries, Women’s Organizations and Church Groups. We can arrange a convenient time for your party and your High Tea lasts approximately two hours.
Victorian splendour
Victorian dress is optional but do feel free to wear your favourite hat or we have a wonderful selection of Victorian hats to choose from to complete your special Victorian High Tea experience. Most of our customers just love choosing their hat. You also have the freedom to just come as you are.
Bookings
A right royal treat at the 5 star Peace and Plenty Inn.
Every Saturday & Sunday 12.00 noon – 4.00 p.m.
Bookings duration: 2 hours
Bookings Advisable.
Price per head: $45.00 Adults/Children $20.00
Victorian High Tea Gift Vouchers available for purchase
]]>
Devonport has two larger playgrounds, Windsor Reserve and Devonport Domain, and several smaller playgrounds near the beaches and Waitemata golf course.
Windsor Reserve:
Windsor Reserve is home to Devonport’s largest and most popular playground. With its bright blue and yellow equipment, it is hard to miss and can be found to the right of the Devonport Wharf. The picturesque seafront location is a beautiful spot for a playground and is extremely popular with locals and visitors alike.
The well-equipped playground includes numerous slides, swings, and a large climbing frame making it a good option for older children as well as your younger ones. In addition to the playground, Windsor Reserve has a large grassy area perfect for family games and picnics. Or if you’d prefer, walk a few metres down to Devonport beach, make a sand castle or go for a swim whilst enjoying the spectacular views of Auckland city.
Devonport Domain:
Devonport Domain can be found near the end of King Edwards Parade. If you are coming from the wharf, walk through Windsor Reserve to your right, and head right onto King Edwards Parade. The playground is next to the sports field on the left hand side approximately 15 minutes down the road. The park features traditional swings and seesaws with an elevated climbing frame and large slide, making it ideal for both younger and older children. The playground faces the waterfront, with views of the sea and surrounding Auckland area.
The beach opposite to the play area, Torpedo Bay is a lovely spot for a quick swim. Or if you have time, walk 3 minutes further down King Edward Parade to the left and visit the Torpedo Bay Naval Museum, another great family friendly activity. (for further details)
Cheltenham Beach:
Located one mile away from the ferry terminal – it’s an easy and scenic walk to Cheltenham Beach. Along the route you will find beautifully restored Victorian villas – many with spectacular ocean views. This calm and safe beach is a popular spot for swimming, strolling and relaxing with the family with unique views of Rangitoto Island. At the end of Cheltenham beach there is also a small playground with a swing set, slide and seesaw, ideal for entertaining younger children.
Cheltenham beach is a beautiful location for a picnic, with a fish and chip shop a mere five minutes away at the Vauxhall Shops. Or, if you’d prefer to create your own masterpiece, have a summer kiwi barbeque cooked with the on-site barbeque facilities. If timer permits, Cheltenham Beach is a short 15-minute walk from North Head, a fantastic spot the whole family will enjoy. Children (and adults!) can spend hours exploring the military tunnel complex, gun emplacements and fortifications. (for further details)
Narrow Neck Beach:
Narrow Neck is another family-friendly beach and can be reached by bus from the wharf or on foot for those who enjoy a longer walk. On the grassy area behind Narrow Neck Beach you’ll find a small playground complete with swings, a slide, a seesaw and a small climbing frame making it the perfect play area for younger children.
Grab a coffee or treat the family to an ice cream at the on-site café. Or if you prefer, cook your own food on the barbeque whilst the kids enjoy the playground. Whilst at Narrow Neck be sure to investigate Fort Takapuna, a lookout point and bunker defence site found on the hill to the right of Narrow Neck Beach. Children will enjoy exploring the barracks, tunnels, gun pits and magazine inside the last of the New Zealand designed twin 6 inch gun forts. (for more information)
Allenby Reserve: near Waitemata Golf Club
A mere 5-minute walk from the Waitemata Golf Club, a trip to the Allenby Reserve playground is a good way to keep children entertained whilst your partner plays a round of golf. The small playground has a swing set, slides and other equipment for younger children. There is also a large grassy area, which is an ideal spot for a family game of soccer or cricket.
Skate Park:
To amuse older skate or scooter enthusiasts head to the Skate Park opposite the Waitemata Golf course on Lake Road. The park is found at the bottom of the hill in Ngataringa Park and is fun for both beginners and those with more experience. For the younger children visit the maze also found in the park surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants.
From Ngataringa park you will also find the ‘Lest We Forget’ memorial drive walkway, commemorating those Devonport members of the armed forces who gave their lives in World War II. This walk links Devonport to Takapuna with views of the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Waitemata Harbour unique to this viewing point.
]]>
Explorer Tour:
The Explorer Tour departs hourly rain or shine from the Devonport Wharf, a short 12-minute ferry trip across the Waitemata harbor if you’re staying in Auckland city.
The Explorer Tour takes you on a journey around Devonport, including Devonport’s two volcanic cones: Mt Victoria and North head. Be sure to bring your camera; these mountains offer spectacular panoramic scenes of Rangitoto, the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Golf- voted the best views over Auckland. Here you’ll also find evidence of early Maori and European settlement and links to the mountains military past, featuring some of the few remaining disappearing guns in the world.
Learn more about the Royal New Zealand Navy and its shared history with Devonport with a visit to several historical Navy sites. The Explorer tour will also introduce you to the beautiful period architecture found throughout Devonport, including styles such as Victorian, Colonial and Georgian.
Pick up and drop off:
The Explorer tour takes approximately two hours return from the city of Auckland including your ferry crossing. However, feel free to spend longer relaxing at the beach or explore Devonport’s high street, dotted with boutique style shops, cafes and art galleries. The tour acts as an all day pass, so you can depart the tour at one of the areas on route and be picked up on the next tour if time allows you.
The minimum duration of the tour including photo stops at both volcanic cones is one hour from the Devonport wharf to wharf.
Lunch Tour:
The Lunch Tour is the perfect way to spend a day discovering Devonport. The tour combines the Devonport Explorer tour with a delicious lunch at McHugh’s of Cheltenham. Meet at the Devonport Wharf and spend the morning exploring the unique history and surroundings of Devonport.
The coach will drop you at McHugh’s restaurant on Devonport’s beautiful Cheltenham beach where you will relax and enjoy a buffet lunch whilst taking in the idyllic beach surroundings and views of Rangitoto Island. After your lunch you will be picked up by the coach to continue your Explorer Tour of Devonport, ending back in the village near to Devonport Wharf. Here you can decide whether to spend further time in Devonport exploring the high street, or instead return to Auckland on the ferry.
For groups of 5 persons or less bookings are not essential. However, for groups of 6 or more or the lunch tour please book in advance to avoid disappointment.
]]>
The Maori history trail takes approximately two hours to complete but it is up to you to chose how long to spend at each location.
King Edward Parade
The history trail begins at Devonport Wharf, where you can catch a ferry to or from Auckland City. To your right as you exit the wharf you will see a large grassy area, named Windsor Reserve. Walk through the reserve and take the road along the sea to the right, King Edward Parade.
Tainui memorial
About a 15-minute walk towards the end of King Edward Parade you’ll come across a memorial on the right hand side of the road. Erected in 1959, the Tainui Memorial acts as a commemoration of the great waka Tainui. The Tainui was one of seven wakas that carried the first Maori from Hawaiiki to New Zealand. The memorial is a replica of the sacred bird image Korotangi (weeping dove) that was brought over on the waka Tainui.
Torpedo Bay
Continuing down King Edward Parade you’ll find Torpedo Bay below North Head. Known to Maori as Haukapua Beach, the Tainui waka was said to have landed at this very spot. Artefacts such as bones and tools have been found at this site demonstrating a presence of early Maori settlers. Haukapua beach was also the site of a serious battle between two Maori tribes- Ngati Paoa and Ngapuhi. Resident tribe Ngati Paoa was defeated by Ngapuhi who claimed the right to reside at this site in the 18th century.
Torpedo Bay Naval Museum Site
At the end of King Edward Parade you will see a large building, the Torpedo Bay Naval Museum. The site where the Torpedo Naval Museum stands today is likely to be one of the first campsites used by early Maori inhabitants before they settled around the wider North Shore area. In 2010 during excavation work, bones of the extinct native New Zealand bird the Moa and other Maori artefacts were found at this site. To get to your next destination To reach North Head walk along Cheltenham Road and turn right onto Takarunga Road. At the end of this road you will find the entrance to North Head.
North Head
North Head is known by the Maori as Maungauika and before European colonization was a defensive pā. Most pā are found on raised ground, a volcano being the perfect position for a pā. The purpose of a pā is to protect current food supplies and the fertile lands used to plant and grow food. Early photographs of the area show that Maori used the lower slopes of North Head for gardens. Interestingly, the fortifications and earthwork defences that can be observed on Auckland’s other volcanic cones are absent on North Head. This perhaps indicates that it was predominantly the foot of the hill that was used by Maori tribes.
After the arrival of Europeans North Head was developed as a means of protection from invasion with a military tunnel complex and gun emplacements. The last remaining Maori settlement in Devonport was found on North Head but was destroyed by rival tribes in the late 18th century. As well as historic links to the past, North Head is known for its stunning views of Rangitoto Island, the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. See our North Head Historic Reserve Trail page for more details.
After exploring North Head come back down onto Takarunga Road, turn right onto Cheltenham Road and Take the first left onto Tainui. Walk along Tainui Road turning left onto Vauxhall Rd and take the first right onto Albert Road.
Grave of Chief Eru Patuone
Continue along Albert Road and just past the Lake Road roundabout to the left you will find the old Devonport cemetery. Inside is the grave of Maori Chief Eru Patuone (the peacemaker). Eru Patuone was born in 1764 and lived for over 108 years, until 1872. Patuone lived during the early years of Pakeha settlement in New Zealand and thus witnessed and played a key role in a number of events that shaped modern New Zealand.
Patuone was known as the peacemaker due to his relationships with both Maori and Pakeha and his role as a mediator between them. During his life Patuone had a relationship with all of New Zealand’s Governors and was consulted by them regarding Pakeha Maori relations. Patuone was particularly close with Governor Grey (who served two terms as governor in 1845 and again in 1861) and when all Maori were required by Grey to sign an oath and give up their arms or move out of the area, Patuone remained close by in Takapuna on land gifted to him by the Governor.
The upper slopes of Mt Victoria can be reached via a number of different grass trails, however these become more challenging in the winter months. To reach the main entrance of Mt Victoria come back out onto Albert road and continue walking, at the end turn left onto Victoria Road. Continue down Victoria Road and take the slight left onto Kerr Street. On the right you will find the main entrance to Mt Victoria, the highest volcanic cone on Auckland’s north shore.
Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria, known by Maori as Takarunga was originally the main pā in the Devonport area. Historically, Takarunga was occupied by a number of different iwi (group or social unit in Maori culture). Evidence of the mountain’s historical uses such as pā terraces and pits associated with food-storage and settlement areas can be seen on the northern slopes today. Since European settlement, Mt Victoria has been used for artillery emplacements, farmland and various concrete army bunkers. Today, Mount Victoria is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike with some of the best views in Auckland. The summit of Mount Victoria provides a panoramic scene of the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf unique to this viewing point.
After walking down Mt Victoria you will come back out onto Kerr Street. Continue along this street and turn left at the end onto Victoria Road, the heart of Devonport. You have now reached the end of the Maori History Trail. If time allows, stop for a well-deserved break at one of Devonport’s many cosy cafés or restaurants which line Victoria Road for refreshing drink or snack.
]]>
Fort Takapuna, originally built as one of a number of new defence forts established around Auckland’s harbor. Fort Takpuna’s unique location at the head of the Rangitoto Channel made it an important lookout point and defence site for a number of years. The fort is below ground level as originally a dry moat surrounded the fort on all sides, with a drawbridge to provide access. Whilst the majority of the fort was filled in 100 years ago, the remaining elements are open left to explore.
Take a self-guided walk to explore the barracks, tunnels, gun pits and magazine inside the last of the New Zealand designed twin 6 inch gun forts. Learn more about the installations from information panels on the walls inside the fort wall.
Located next to Fort Takapuna is Narrow Neck beach, this picturesque location is perfect for photo taking, relaxing in the sun with an ice cream or cold drink from the neighbouring café, after exploring the military surroundings.
By Bus to Fort Takapuna from Victoria Road:
From Devonport’s high street, Victoria Road there are a number of bus stops to take the quick ten-minute 813 bus to Fort Takapuna en route to Narrow Neck. One of these is outside Bayley’s real estate agents opposite the Fish and Chips Café. Buses depart from this stop every hour from 10:16 am and every half hour from 3:16pm. For more information on bus routes please visit www.maxx.co.nz
On Foot to Fort Takapuna from North Head:
Walking (one way) to Fort Takapuna will take approximately half an hour and is a beautiful waterfront stroll. After exploring North Head take the north facing steps down the side of the mountain facing the Hauraki Gulf. At the bottom of the stairs you will come out onto Cheltenham beach, popular with locals and visitors for swimming, strolling and relaxing. Walk right along Cheltenham beach to the end and take the Bath Street exit to your left. To the left on Vauxhall road you will see a few shops and cafes. If you want to pick up some treats for a picnic visit one of Devonport’s best-kept secrets, Châteaubriant. Châteaubriant is an authentic French café with delicious flaky pastries, tarts, crusty baguette sandwiches and delicious coffee. Alternatively, turn right and walk along Vauxhall Road and up the hill; continuing along until you see a naval barrack. Next to the barrack is a large grassed area, overlooking the sea is Fort Takapuna.
After your time at Fort Takapuna you can either take the bus or walk back to the Devonport Wharf. The 813 bus departs from the far end of Narrow Neck beach every half hour starting at 9:56am and will take you right back to the ferry building. If you choose to walk, head back along Vauxhall Road, walk down the hill, continue past the set of shops and take a right onto Albert Road. Continue along this road, walk past the round about and at the end turn left onto Victoria Road. Walk along Devonport’s high street back towards the sea and you’ll find yourself, once again outside the Devonport Wharf.
]]>