Northcote Point

Tucked almost underneath the Harbour Bridge is one of the North Shore’s oldest, but also the most vibrant communities. Home to artists and homeowners whose pride and joy are their historic villas - restored to their beautiful best, you can sense how it looked 100 years ago.

Now, it’s well worth a visit for the views, then maybe have a beer at the old Northcote Tavern, or a wine and gourmet pizza from Sausalitos before taking in a movie at the Bridgeway Cinema.

Antiques and Angels has a great range of collectibles while Body Beautiful pampers the outer you with glorious spa treatments to make anyone feel special.

The Engine Room, located in the old art deco Post Office, has quickly become one of Auckland's top restaurants with a simple ambience and classic bistro-style menu.

Relaxing after work, or over the weekend Sausalitos is always the perfect location for good food and a quiet drink, and then you can pop next door to see the latest art-house movie or one of the old classics at the Bridgeway Boutique Cinema - a long standing institution on the Shore.

Potential Unlimted have quality almost new baby toys and clothes while next door the Antipasto Deli have a glorious range of local and imported delicacies.

Drop into Point Wines and taste the latest vintage from a wide range of New Zealand and overseas wines then stock up with a case lot.

The Point Taken takeaways will put the "bite" on serious hunger pains with fresh fish and golden chips... mmmmh.

Northcote Tavern

The first hotel was built on this site in the late 1850's by Philip Callan, an innovative Irishman from County Cork who arrived in Auckland in 1840.

After a fire which destroyed the building beyond repair, tenders were called for a handsome family hotel of two storeys in the Italian order and the present hotel was opened in 1888 for business. Apart from the addition of a new wing on Queen St. in 1936 the hotel has basically remained unchanged to the present day and still retains the charm and atmosphere of a by-gone era.

It was turned into a Tavern after the bridge was opened when the demand for ferry travellers needing overnight accommodation was no more.

The Northcote Tavern stands today as it did all those years ago, facing Auckland city and the surrounding harbour, looking out on magnificent views which have been built out over time but the memories remain and she stands today as a reminder of history past and long may she be a part of the present and the future.