After Hobbiton, we drove for a couple of hours to reach our final destination of Auckland. We were here primarily to catch up with a good friend who lives here but also we were keen to see and experience what this city has to offer. I will highlight the places we managed to visit while in Auckland for three days.
1 – Cheltenham Beach
A beautiful beach with views of Rangitoto, a volcanic island off the coast of Auckland. It’s the youngest volcano in New Zealand being just 600 years old.
2 – Maungauika/North Head Historic Reserve
This stunning coastal walk takes you along the entrance to Auckland’s harbour. This site once belonged to the Māori people and then became a prominent defence base when threat of war was high. It’s interesting to see the tunnels here and you can even see the old disappearing guns that were very much ahead of their time. Look out to see breathtaking views of Auckland harbour and city.
3 – Takapuna Beach Path.
Take a stroll along Takapuna Beach, where you can see amazing views towards Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands and the Hauraki Gulf. I couldn’t help but smile at Minnehaha Avenue 😁.
4 – Wine tasting at The Hunting Lodge.
There are many, many vineyards to check out in Auckland but we went with this one. We loved it and the beer paddle was a wee bonus.
5 – Sunset at Muriwai Beach.
Stunning sunset and the beach is made of black volcanic sand.
6 – Auckland Museum.
We always have to see the local museum when we visit a new city. This one was great if you’re interested to learn about Māori culture.
7 – Ponsonby.
This is a trendy area famous for its dining and shopping
There you have it! Our New Zealand trip has come to an end. What an amazing trip and so fortunate to have finally been able to visit after being in lockdown on and off for two years. I hope you enjoyed the journey and photographs from this truly epic country with the absolute friendliest of people. It’s a trip I will not forget in a hurry. Thank you all for showing an interest in my posts over the past couple of weeks, it really means a lot.