Major city · New Zealand
Long Bay
Spend a half‑day at Long Bay Regional Park for beach, walks and picnics; one night only if you need accommodation.
Long Bay is a beachside suburb on Auckland's North Shore with a 1 km white‑sand beach, a marine reserve and a family‑friendly regional park. It is reachable by car in ~30 km from Auckland CBD and has limited on‑site services, so a half‑day visit is sufficient; stay only if you use Vaughan Park or nearby Torbay lodging.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NZD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jan–Feb (parking scarce, beach crowded)
- Airport
- AKL
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Long Bay111 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance111
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Long Bay, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD, NZ$).New Zealand-wide
- SIM or eSIMOne NZ, Spark and 2degrees sell tourist SIMs at Auckland and Christchurch arrivals and in supermarkets; passport not required.New Zealand-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe almost everywhere; follow boil-water notices in small rural schemes.New Zealand-wide
- TippingCafé or restaurant: Nothing expected; 10% for very good service at dinner is a bonus.New Zealand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.New Zealand-wide
- SafetyLong Bay is safe for families; watch for surf conditions and respect park rules on dogs and litter.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in every town and at most lookouts; DOC long-drops on tracks.New Zealand-wide
- Emergency numbers111 police, fire, ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 17:00 and on Sunday afternoons…Shops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 5:00 PM and on Sunday afternoons…New Zealand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAKL Auckland Airport (30 km (19 mi) south, shuttle or car via Northern Motorway).AKL Auckland Airport (19 mi (30 km) south, shuttle or car via Northern Motorway).
- Getting aroundCar is easiest; follow State Highway 1 to Oteha Valley Rd, then Beach Rd to the park.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealIce‑cream (summer stall)NZ$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Metro or bus rideBus fare Auckland‑Long BaycheckNZ$3–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedVaughan Park room, a night, per personNZ$80 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NZ$30 (≈ US$18) · Mid NZ$70 (≈ US$45) · High NZ$120 (≈ US$75)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AKL Auckland Airport (30 km (19 mi) south, shuttle or car via Northern Motorway)AKL Auckland Airport (19 mi (30 km) south, shuttle or car via Northern Motorway)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Feb
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jul (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Long Bay: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is easiest; follow State Highway 1 to Oteha Valley Rd, then Beach Rd to the park. Parking is ample except Jan–Feb. A bus stop at the park entry serves Auckland Transport routes; no internal bus service.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Waiake Beach
goDoor to door: 15 min walk
Walk south along the rocks at low tide, about 15 min
Nice for a quick dip if tide permits
Takapuna
cautionDoor to door: 30–40 min walk
Continue walking north along the coast, 30–40 min
Longer walk; consider a bus if time limited
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Vaughan Park
Anglican retreat with 18 single and 10 twin rooms; near the park entrance
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NZ$30–50 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- NZ$60–90 (≈ US$40–55) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Vaughan Park room1 × 1 night × NZ$80 | NZ$80 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × NZ$30 | NZ$30 |
| Parking fee (if any)1 × NZ$5 · check | NZ$5 |
| Auckland Transport bus fare1 × NZ$3 · check | NZ$3 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NZ$12 |
| Trip total≈ NZ$130 per person per day, bed included | NZ$130≈ US$80 |
Dormitory‑style rooms; shared facilities
2026 estimate in NZD; flights and car hire excluded.
Prices of common things
| Ice‑cream (summer stall) | NZ$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Parking (if charged)check | NZ$5–10 (≈ US$3–6) per day |
| Bus fare Auckland‑Long Baycheck | NZ$3–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking fills quickly in Jan–Feb; arrive early or park farther away and walk.
- Dog exclusion zones and no‑fishing rules are enforced by park rangers.
- No permanent shops in the park; only seasonal ice‑cream stalls.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 111
Pocket card
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Long BayLong Bay
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ki tēnei wāhi, tēnāTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance111
Embassy
US consulate in Auckland (check address); other nations use the US embassy in Wellington.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Auckland → Long Bay by car: about NZ$10 (≈ US$6) fuel (30 km (19 mi)) plus possible NZ$5 (≈ US$3) parkingabout NZ$10 (≈ US$6) fuel (19 mi (30 km)) plus possible NZ$5 (≈ US$3) parking
- Auckland Transport bus: NZ$3–4 (≈ US$2–3) one way
Say or show
- Kei hea te takutai? — Where is the beach? (kay heh teh tah-too-kai)
- E hia te utu parking? — How much is a parking ticket? (eh hee-ah teh oo-too parking)
- Ka taea e au te ipu wai? — Can I have a water bottle? (kah tah-eh ah oo teh ee-poo why)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Long Bay. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jan–Feb (parking scarce, beach crowded) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a car‑rental day‑pass for flexible beach access.
- Include a picnic pack from Torbay shops.
Sources
Ask about Long Bay
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