Auckland Botanic Gardens

Today we headed to South Auckland to the Auckland Botanic Gardens, one of Auckland's Regional Parks. Despite being next to the main motorway, it is very nice area with lots of walks and places to explore.






There are several special gardens, this is taken in the NZ endangered species garden.







Whilst this is a view across the African species garden.

Walking at Shakespear Regional Park

After a week of changeable weather, we managed to get out walking again this morning. This time we headed just up north from us, back to Shakespear Regional Park. The walk took us around the cliffs offering great views back to the city and the Hauraki Gulf. This is a view down to Pink Beach with Rangitoto Island in the background.



The loop walk that we had chosen included a viewing tower which provided views of the Regional Park and back down the Whangaparoa peninsula.

Rose Hellaby House

On the way back from our walk we stopped off at Rose Hellaby House - now owned and maintained by the Auckland City Council. Maybe we should investigate Royston's heritage to see if we can claim it as ours!!





The view from the back garden is probably the best in Auckland and a real find.

Back to the Waitakeres - Fairy Falls

After a good day of walking on Friday, we decided to head back to the Waitakere Ranges today to do another walk. This time we did a 6km bush walk just off the aptly name Scenic Drive which led to the Fairy Falls.





We then climbed up the rocks and purpose made steps past the several levels of the waterfall.

Waitakeres - Arataki Visitors Centre

After our walk we headed to the Arataki Visitors Centre in the heart of the Waitakere Ranges. As per all the other regional parks they have the picture frame!





The view from the visitors centre over to the city shows how much "green" there is here. You can just see the city and Sky Tower in the distance.





We did another shorter loop walk (but still hilly!) from the visitors centre through the forest. At the furthest point we ended up in a grove of Kauri trees.

Walking in the Waitakeres - Bethells Beach

As today is Good Friday and everything here is shut, we headed out west to the Waitakere Ranges to do some walking. Our first stop was Bethells Beach, a typical west coast beach with its black sand and big waves.





We set off on a walk which took us along the cliffs heading north. On the way we were rewarded with some lovely views down to Bethells Beach.







As we continued along the coast line we reached O'Neills Bay which can only be reached on foot with no road access.







The walk provided to be very strenuous in parts, we both didn't expect it to be quite so hilly!! Eventually we reached the turn around point and had a stunning view down to the south to O'Neills Bay and Bethells Beach in the distance.




Whilst the view up to the north shows Muriwai beach and Regional Park.