Banks Peninsular

Quintessentially New Zealand

While visitors to NZ have their must see brochure items, Mitre Peak, Mt Cook and Rotorua as someone who grew up in the South Island and who later lived on a good sized block of land and raised cattle there is something about this picture from the Canterbury foot hills that speaks to my Kiwi heart.

The pier at New Brighton - Christchurch

Fog on the Waitemata Harbour

Ferry Wharf at Devonport 

Wharf at Navy Museum 

Ferry / Fishing Wharf at Devonport 

Fishing at Muriwai

Hardy souls fishing at Muriwai , their reward a small  snapper, it is a beautiful if dangerous location.

Sadly two people lost their lives this month fishing here, fishermen are recommended to wear a life jacket, few do.

(July 2018)

(2017) 

Not just fishermen taking risks (2018) 

World War two relics North Head

Another from the Ohinemuri River at Karangahake

Ohinemuri River at Karangahake

Early morning on the river

Sunset - Northwest Arch Canterbury

View from the Transalpine Train

Waitawa Regional Park

Situated east of Clevedon and about one hour in the off peak from the Auckland CBD is the Waitawa Regional Park.

There is a long sandy beach with some picnic tables, at least one BBQ and good changing rooms etc. There are amazing views out towards the Coromandel from the road leading into the park.

Wharf very popular with fishermen, a five minute stroll from the carpark.

Coromandel off in the distance (below right)  about 25km across the water.

Auckland City from Torpedo Bay

Misty mornings in the countryside

Limestone formations north western Waikato - Lord of the Rings filming location

For more than 20 years on my many many work related trips between Auckland and Wellington I flew relativity low (perhaps 10,000 feet) over an interesting looking set of limestone formations in the north western Waikato.

I thought I would go and have a look at this area, the easiest access is from Port Waikato and along a short stretch of unseal road. Below is the GPS log file from my camera and an arrow indicating the general location of the formations. Unfortunately the very low sun angle resulted in much area of deep shade.

I did continue on a long, slow but very scenic route as indicated - very low traffic, no mobile phone coverage - if you go take a paper map and be willing to get your car dirty, not suitable for camper vans.

Some filming for the Lord of the Rings movie was carried out in this area - the location for "WeatherTop" - see here Lord of the Rings Wiki

Beach at Port Waikato

Beach to the south of the mouth of the Waikato River

Black iron sand with the characteristic beautiful reflective qualities.

Waikato River Bridge at Tuakau

Built in 1933 at a cost of $48,000 this 230 metre span replaced a wooden bridge built in 1902 when one of its spans collapsed in 1929. 

The Waikato is New Zealand longest river at a length of 425km - there is a very good explanation here Wikipedia

Hunua Falls

Incredibly accessible the Hunua Falls sits on the edge of the Hunua Regional Park. Less than one hour in the off-peak from the Auckland CBD and reached via a pleasant drive east of Papakura.

Very much in the shade this time of year and also not so busy - incredibly dangerous for swimmers who don't know what they are doing - people have drowned here as it is 19m deep under the falls with hidden obstructions and foamy fresh water offering limited buoyancy.

Constant fresh water mist equals lovely moss

Rangitoto Island as seen from North Head - mid winter

Photos taken from the beautiful walk around North Head at dead low tide.

(Canon 5D4 - 11 stop ND filters,  f18,  63 seconds,  ISO 50,  24mm) 

Wenderholm black and whites

One of my favourite photo places - Wenderholm Regional Park. Take a lunch and a drink and spend time in the estuary, on the beach or amongst the beautiful trees - aways something beautiful to inspire - hence my "go too" place for a mental boost.

Mid winter low sun at Muriwai