Musick Point is one of East Auckland's most rewarding coastal photo locations, quietly tucked behind Howick Golf Club on a headland that reaches into the Hauraki Gulf. It combines natural and built elements in a clean, uncluttered setting: rolling grassy cliffs, steep rocky shores, and open ocean views, all anchored by the art deco Musick Point Memorial Radio Station building. Despite being just a short drive from the city, it has a quiet, isolated feel that makes it ideal for sunrise sessions and drone photography. Whether you're drawn to open sea horizons, sculpted coastlines, or layered compositions with structure and landscape, Musick Point offers plenty of variation without needing to go far.
Best Photography Opportunities
• Soft Morning Light
Although the point itself faces north, morning light comes in from the right, gently lighting the grassy slopes and eastern rock shelves. From the walking path that curves around the edge of the point, you can shoot across the shallow turquoise water and highlight the texture of the coastline. The low sun helps separate land from sea and adds definition to the slope and trees. If the tide is low, the exposed reef adds extra detail and pattern in the foreground. These conditions are perfect for wide angle landscape work.
• Drone Photography
A drone adds a huge amount of creative freedom here, letting you capture the full layout of the peninsula, the symmetry of the golf course, and the bold white structure of the memorial building. From above, the contrast between land and water is especially clean, with the curved coastline and patchy rock platforms leading into deeper blue water. Mid height or top down views both work well, and you can build compositions with a clear horizon line or use the structure itself as the main anchor. Light winds in the morning and evening give the best flying conditions, and the area is generally free of interference or tall obstructions.
• Rocky Shoreline
At low tide, the eastern and northeastern sides of the point reveal long sections of reef and layered rock that work well for low angle foregrounds or longer exposures. Shooting from just above the waterline allows you to capture movement in the tide or play with reflection and color as the light changes. These areas are best accessed by walking down from the trail and keeping close to the safer parts of the rock. Textural shots here benefit from a polariser or ND filter to control contrast and motion.
• Framing the Memorial Building with Coastal Backdrop
The Musick Point Memorial building stands at the center of the headland and can be photographed from multiple angles. Its bold white surface contrasts strongly with surrounding grass and sky, especially in the late afternoon when the sun lights the western face. Use the slope of the land to build a natural foreground or include ocean in the background by stepping off the main path slightly. Cloudy skies work well here too, helping the building stand out even without direct light. Look for symmetry in the building's design and use lines in the grass or paths to lead the viewer's eye.
• Clifftop Trail Views
The walking paths that loop around the headland provide clear sightlines toward Rangitoto Island, Browns Island, and the rest of the gulf. From the north end of the trail, you can frame long views with water and sky layered behind grass or trees. These compositions are flexible and respond well to changing light. Afternoon is ideal for shadow detail and subtle warm tones, but even midday can work if the sky has structure or haze. A mid-range zoom helps pull distant landforms closer while keeping the headland in context.
Best Time to Visit
Musick Point works best in the early morning or late afternoon. While the point does not face sunrise directly, morning light moves in from the east and lights the side of the headland in soft, warm tones. The air is usually calm early in the day, which helps both drone photography and shooting near the shoreline. You'll also avoid most of the foot traffic and activity from the adjacent golf course.
Afternoon light comes in from the west, which lights the cliffs and grass from the left and creates long shadows across the lawn. These conditions are ideal for architectural photos of the memorial building and wider landscapes that face north or northeast. Midday is generally harsh and flat, though aerial photos still work well from above thanks to the contrast between the sea and the land. Spring and autumn provide the best balance of clear skies, soft light, and manageable wind.
How to Get There
Musick Point is located at the end of Musick Point Road in Bucklands Beach, East Auckland. From central Auckland, the drive takes around 35 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Follow Musick Point Road as is winds past Howick Golf Club and takes you directly to a small public parking lot at the end of the road, just before the memorial building.
From the car park, you can walk straight into the headland area using clearly marked paths. The trails are short, mostly flat, and easy to navigate with gear. The golf course is private, so be sure to stay on the public paths and respect any signage. There is no fee to access the area or use it for photography. Drone flights are permitted as long as they follow Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules, which include maintaining line of sight, flying below 120 metres, and keeping clear of people and active golfing areas.
Recommended Photography Gear
A wide angle lens in the 16 to 35mm range is ideal for capturing the sweeping landforms, shoreline, and full headland compositions. A 24 to 70mm zoom gives you flexibility when shooting the building, details in the grass, or distant islands across the gulf. For shoreline and reef textures, a tripod and a set of neutral density filters will help with long exposures and motion blur.
A drone with a reliable GPS signal and quality optics will make the most of the area's structure and shape. Polarising filters are helpful in managing reflection off the water when flying in full sun. Footing along the trails is reliable, but a compact, weather resistant setup will make it easier to move between views without missing the light.
Nearby Photography Locations
• Eastern Beach and Bucklands Beach
Just south of Musick Point, these sandy stretches offer clean water, soft morning color, and wide sky compositions. They work well for simple seascapes or for photographing toward the headland itself in early light.
A short drive west, this area provides geometric compositions of boats, reflections, and dockside textures. Best during golden hour when the water is still and the lighting adds depth to repeating shapes.
Visible from the point and accessible by ferry, this volcanic island offers a completely different terrain. It's perfect for rugged coastal walks, black rock formations, and elevated views over the wider Hauraki Gulf.
Located inland near Pakuranga, this large park contains open green space, small ponds, and a heritage village. It's a solid option for a slower paced, detail focused shoot in diffused light.
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