We spent a week on the North Island last month, and what a beautiful time it was. Quite by chance, we discovered the western beaches close to Auckland and they were absolutely gorgeous. Miles and miles of scenic coastline, just like in the photo below.
We went to Muriwai to see the gannet colonies. Those little spots on the rocks? All gannets!
The two birds in the centre doing a little honey-I'm-home-from-work dance, and you can just about make out a tiny egg under the one on the right. All the other gannets still waiting for their partners to come back.
We drove to the Coromandel Peninsula for a night - this view was taken at the top of a cliff. The sea was unbelievably blue.
Cathedral Cove, as seen from the water. It's an arch-shaped cave accessible only by foot or by boat. Lots of snapper swimming around in the area too, but it's a protected marine reserve so the fine for poaching is apparently $200,000.
Our boat took us inside a sea cave. It was surreal.
We stopped by Hahei to do a short walk up the cliffs to the Pa site, which is basically a Maori fortress.
Rotorua - lots of bubbling mud. Not terribly pretty and rather smelly.
Huka Falls
Lake Taupo, which is the size of Singapore.
Mt Ruapehu, Mt Tarawera and I think it was Mt Tongariro - 3 volcanoes visible from the shores of the lake.
Roses at the Taupo Rose Garden
We also went to the Auckland Botanic Gardens, which was surprisingly really enjoyable. It's located about 10 mins from the airport, and it was such a great place to kill time before checking in for our flight.
We didn't have very interesting meals in NZ, unfortunately, so the best shots are entirely scenery pics. However, we made it to Matua for some tastings, and managed to get a couple of bottles of cellar door release Sauv Blancs.
More Melbourne food posts on the way when I find the time to upload them :)
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