North Head is a volcanic headland at the eastern tip of the Devonport peninsula, a twenty-minute walk from the ferry wharf. It commands sweeping views over the Waitemata Harbour, Rangitoto Island, and the Auckland city skyline — among the finest accessible viewpoints in the region. The headland is also riddled with tunnels and gun emplacements from successive military occupations, from the 1880s through to World War II.
Exploring the tunnels is free and requires no special equipment — you can walk through most of them without a torch, though one is handy for the deeper sections. The summit gives a full panorama in every direction, including back over Devonport's Victorian rooftops. Allow an hour to walk out to the head, explore the tunnels, and return. The path from the ferry wharf is well-signposted and easy going.