Little Shoal Bay, between Northcote Point and Birkenhead Point, is a little backwater and somewhat untouched part of the Shore. With its delapidated boat sheds, overhanging pohutukawa trees and views across the harbour to Auckland city, it’s a romantic spot to share an early evening picnic, amble around the rocks and watch the busy world from afar. Summer days are just gorgeous here and the swimming is good at high tide. There’s a playground to keep the littlies happy, or you can launch a dinghy and take a leisurely row around the inner harbour. The Harbour Bridge looks completely different and really interesting from this angle.

Our favourite movie theatre on the Shore – strictly for grown-ups – it has big comfy seats and lots of leg room, an intimate setting, nice foyer where you can enjoy a glass of wine or a coffee before the film, and they even let you take your wine into the theatre IN A GLASS!. It’s nice to be treated like a grown-up for a change.

The Bridgeway – 122 Queen Street, Northcote Point – has a great back story (saved from destruction by some forward thinking people) and the model has been replicated in Matakana. While they screen mainly art-house films, these are generally quite accessible, and they run short seasons of Opera from the Met, as well as live screenings of plays. Senior citizens pay just $10 before 5pm, and $12 after 5pm (exclusive of special screenings and opera).

Take advantage of the $40 pizza and movie deal (2 movie tickets, 1 pizza) and enjoy a light meal before or after the film at adjoining cafe Sausalito. They make mighty good pizza and have a comprehensive wine list. See what’s screening now at The Bridgeway.