Mt Victoria

Mt Victoria in Devonport, an excellent place to get a view of Auckland City and the Waitemata Harbour. Easy access by vehicle and on foot, in winter dress warmly it can be pretty cold if the wind is blowing. 

Tongaporutu - cliff coastline

Tongaporutu River mouth - interesting in that the sedimentary cliff material is young enough not to be tilted at an angle as is much of our landscape. Really interesting and only accessible at dead low tide.

Detailed notes on New Zealand geology can be found here (Qmaps), the relevant downloadable map is  "Waikato". 

Auckland City from Kelly Tarltons

(Hand held) 

One of the "Three sisters" at Tongaporutu

Tongaporatu

Last time I was traveling to Taranaki late in the day mid-winter as I came out to the coast at Awakino I was greeted by a very dramatic cloud formation out to sea. This combined with the black iron sand on these beaches made for some impressive images.

Beach at Tongaporatu

River mouth Tongaporatu

Auckland War Memorial Museum

One of my all time "highly recommended" places to visit in Auckland, surrounded by planted parkland, sports grounds and right next door to the "Winter garden" - another must see.

Home of many fixed and changing exhibitions like Outrageous Fortune and more recently Volume

Goat Island Marine reserve

Just a few km past Matakana Goat Island Marine Reserve