Smales Farm is one of the North Shore's major employment and office precincts — home to large corporate tenants including AIA, IRD and many others — and has been transformed in recent years by the Goodside development, which has brought excellent cafes, restaurants and a lively bar to the precinct. The station has a customer service centre and is directly adjacent to Westlake Girls' High School. North Shore Hospital is a 10-minute walk or short bus ride, with an emergency clinic and pharmacy also in the precinct. Farro Fresh, one of Auckland's premium supermarkets, is also right at Smales Farm. The surrounding area has outstanding sports and recreation facilities at Onewa Domain and Takapuna Golf Course directly across the road.
🚌 The NX1 and NX2 Northern Express run through Smales Farm every 3–5 minutes at peak times — the fastest way into the city. The station also has an AT customer service centre where you can get help with AT HOP cards, timetables and journey planning.
Food & Cafes
The Goodside development at Smales Farm has brought a cluster of excellent cafes, restaurants and a bar to the precinct — all right next to the busway station.
A near-perfect-rated café right inside the Goodside precinct — famous for made-to-order bagels with perfectly chewy texture, exceptional Salmon Eggs Benedict, apricot scones, muffins and excellent coffee. "Now this place knows how to make a mean bagel." Everything made fresh to order. Friendly staff and a busy, buzzing atmosphere. Open 7 days from 7:30am (8am weekends).
Mon–Fri 7:30am–4pm · Sat 8am–4pm · Sun 8am–3pm
"If you're looking for a place that's as Instagram-worthy as it is delicious, this is it!" Warm, intimate and photogenic — Spanish eggs, excellent burgers, attentive staff. A great spot for a lazy brunch or lunch. The staff go above and beyond — colouring-in books and a busy board for small children, and a welcoming approach to families. Right next to A&E, so also a handy café if you're waiting at the hospital. Closed Mondays.
Tue–Fri 7:30am–3pm · Sat 8am–3pm · Sun 8am–3pm · Closed Mon
The social heart of Smales Farm — a lively bar and restaurant with a fantastic outdoor courtyard, live DJs and a celebrated cocktail list. "Super cool space — this place is finally giving Smales Farm some charm and character." The Fungi Pizza is "the best I've had in Auckland," the cocktails are "to die for" and the miso eggplant is outstanding. Open daily from 11am (until 1am Fri–Sat). House rules: "Try not to be a dick!"
Mon–Tue 11am–10pm · Wed–Thu 11am–11pm · Fri–Sat 11am–1am · Sun 11am–9pmFarmers Market
One of the North Shore's best monthly markets — right on the doorstep of the busway station.
Smales Farm Farmers Market
"One of the best markets I've been to!" A well-curated monthly farmers market held in the Goodside precinct at Smales Farm — unique small businesses, artisan food and craft stalls, fresh produce from the grower (including exquisite oyster mushrooms), food caravans, gifts and live music. "Such cool vendors with great products and not too many people selling the same thing." Dog-friendly. Also a Sunday market running weekly — check dates at the Smales Farm website. Easily reached by Northern Busway from anywhere on the North Shore or the city.
2nd Sunday of each month · 9am–2pmNorth Shore Hospital
One of Auckland's major public hospitals — a 10-minute walk from the station or a short bus ride.
One of Auckland's major public hospitals, serving the North Shore and northern Auckland. Open 24 hours with a full emergency department, specialist services, maternity, surgical and medical wards. The hospital is approximately 10 minutes on foot from Smales Farm Station, or accessible by bus (routes 845, 856, 928 and 941 all stop at the hospital). Gather Eatery is also right next to the A&E entrance — useful if you're waiting for someone. Open 24 hours, 7 days.
Open 24 hours · Emergency Department always openSports & Recreation
Onewa Domain is one of the North Shore's major sporting precincts — and Takapuna Golf Course is directly across the road from the station.
Onewa Domain — Netball North Harbour
Onewa Domain on Northcote Road is the North Shore's premier community sports precinct — home to Netball North Harbour (Barfoot & Thompson Netball Centre), Takapuna Cricket Club, Takapuna Rugby Football Club and Takapuna Athletic Club. Multiple courts, fields and club rooms across the domain. Netball competitions run on weekday evenings and all day Saturdays. A great reason to take the bus.
Competition & training times vary by sport · Netball Sat from 7am
A popular public golf course directly across the road from Smales Farm Station — one of Auckland's most accessible courses for casual golfers. Flat and walkable, with large old trees and good greens. "A great public golf course suitable for all levels of golfers." The driving range facility is excellent at a very reasonable price. Makes for a practical post-work or weekend round directly from the busway. Open daily 9am–11pm.
Daily 9am–11pmSchools
Three well-regarded schools within easy walking distance of the station.
One of the North Shore's most prominent secondary schools — directly adjacent to Smales Farm Station, with a dedicated walkway connecting the school to the busway platform. Westlake Girls' is one of the highest-decile and highest-roll schools in Auckland, making the Northern Busway the natural choice for students commuting from across the North Shore and the city. Mon–Fri 8:45am–3:15pm.
Mon–Fri 8:45am–3:15pm (term time)
A well-regarded Years 7–8 intermediate school on Northcote Road, a short walk from the busway station. The Northern Busway makes for a practical commute for intermediate students from across the North Shore. Mon–Fri 8:45am–3pm.
Mon–Fri 8:45am–3pm (term time)
A Catholic secondary school for girls on Shakespeare Road, Milford — about 15 minutes on foot from Smales Farm Station, or a short bus ride on route 845 or 856 towards Milford. Carmel is one of the North Shore's well-regarded Catholic schools. Mon–Fri 8am–4pm.
Mon–Fri 8am–4pm (term time)Bus Routes
Smales Farm is a major North Shore bus interchange — with busway express services to the city and a wide network of connecting routes across the Shore.
Northern Busway services
| Route | Serves | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| NX1 | Hibiscus Coast / Albany → Waitematā (city) via all busway stations | Every 3–5 min peak |
| NX2 | Hibiscus Coast / Albany → City Universities (Wellesley St) via all busway stations | Frequent |
| 83 | Massey University (Albany) → Takapuna via Albany, Browns Bay, Mairangi Bay & busway | Frequent |
| 866 | Albany → Newmarket via all busway stations, Ponsonby Rd, K Rd & Auckland City Hospital | Connector |
Connecting local bus routes
Buses run to Takapuna every 5–10 minutes. Routes 83 and 871 run direct to Takapuna in approximately 10 minutes. Routes 845, 856 and 941 run to Takapuna via North Shore Hospital in approximately 12 minutes.
| Route | Serves | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 845 | Milford → Takapuna via Nile Rd, Smales Farm, North Shore Hospital & Karaka St | Connector |
| 856 | Albany → Takapuna via Torbay, Browns Bay, Beach Rd, Milford, Smales Farm & North Shore Hospital | Connector |
| 871 | Smales Farm → Constellation via Forrest Hill, Sunnynook & Wairau Rd | Connector |
| 901 | Constellation Station → Smales Farm via Unsworth Dr & Wairau Rd | Connector |
| 928 | Northcote Point → Smales Farm via Northcote & North Shore Hospital | Connector |
| 941 | Beach Haven → Takapuna via Kaipātiki Rd, Glenfield & Smales Farm | Connector |
⚠️ Ratings and hours can change. Always check venues' own websites or Google Maps for current hours. Bus route information sourced from Auckland Transport — always check at.govt.nz for current timetables.