Waitakere Range and Arataki Visitors Centre

 The Waitakarere  Rain Forest is a cross between original old growth forest and regenerated new growth.  Early logging of the Kauri Forest in the 1800's left much of the east slope of the range barren.  Farmers later came in but found the soil unsuitable for sustained yields. Almost a century later, a road was developed named Exhibition Drive. It was later added to and improved and is now known as Scenic Drive.  We traveled this snake-like back road until we came to the Arataki Visitors Centre.. This site provided a prominent view of the valley and the Waitakere Range.

We spent close to an hour here just taking in the panoramic view, watching a video presentation and walking
through the centre admiring the displays.

This area is best experienced on foot as numerous trails are laid out to best appreciate a true rain forest and its resplendent flora. This is a place for me to come back to and take more time to enjoy.  It is just on the outskirts of Aukland and is an incredible resource so close to an urban environment.

I was asked what I appreciated most about New Zealand and my immediate response was the greenery. The variety is a constant visual feast. Unfortunately, what is so common may become commonplace. It appears to be so for the majority of the locals.

Below are pictures of nearby beaches with the characteristic black sand. This rugged coast line also claims to have some of the best surfing beaches in the world.  Some world championships occur in and around here.

This plant we saw at the Centre is said to be  the lightest wood on earth. It is lighter than balsa but not near the strength.
We also visited a Palestinian Christian  who plies a trade as a wood carver. He has a shop right next to his house and he gave a lesson on the types of wood he uses. I picked up one block of wood that could easily rank right up there with the heaviest wood.  Both extremes in one day! He chooses from deep rich red wood to chestnut brown and everything in between. Beautiful pieces by any measure!

Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel is a prominent peninsula  on the east side of the North Island of New Zealand.   In addition to some spectacular beaches, part of it is described as the Seabird Coast, attracting birders and capturing a broad cross section of other interests from gold mining relics, marine ecosystems and the hippy lifestyle to the art scene evident in the colorful town markets.  


One day is not enough to even begin to explore the possibilities here.  This entry will focus on  a couple of landmarks  and interesting beaches.  I will include another entry later in the blog to capture the northern part of the peninsula. 

The foreshore along the Firth of Thames is is one the premier seabird watching site in the South Pacific as over 40 migratory wading bird species nest here.  Shell banks offer ideal nesting grounds for migrating birds from as far away as the Arctic circle 10,000 km. to the north. They come at different times of the year from other parts of New Zealand as well. The godwit is particularly noted for its long flights. One specific female of the flock, nicknamed "E7" flew from China to Alaska and stayed there for the breeding season. Then on 29th of August 2007, she departed on a non-stop flight from the Avinof Peninsula in western Alaska to the Piako River near Thames New Zealand, setting a new known flight record of 11,680 km. (7,258 mi).

Twice a day, as the tide rises, the birds move inland to the easily-viewed shell banks. As the tide recedes they move out again to the vast Firth of Thames. Boardwalks are provided and the encrusted shoreline provides  a good vantage point for watching. The Miranda Shorebird Centre offers interpretive information and displays as well as simple accommodation for ardent birdwatchers.  Up to a purported 20,000 seabirds and waders can be observed during peak periods along the beach at spotting posts on the Seabird Coast.

Cathedral Cove is named after the cave located there. (see picture) . The area is very popular with tourists, and receives around 150,000 visitors per year.  We were not able to find a parking spot, so had to rush out of the car while one of us drove the vehicle around to get some pictures.  Come early if you want to take more time.

This is a Marine Reserve so marine life is plentiful.   In Gemstone Bay there is a snorkel trail marked by the Department of Conservation. Both bays are also accessible by paths leading down from the main walking path to Cathedral Cove. This picturesque site is referred to in Maori as Whanganui-A Hei (the Great Bay of Hei) and was chosen by a tribal leader as home for his tribe. 

Hot Water Beach is as its name implies. Hot pools can be dug out of the sand at low tide near the rocks and in places where steam can be seen rising from the open sea at high tide. We did not have the time to test it out, but others were digging away to enjoy a warm or even hot bath, depending on how much energy you are willing to expend. The area is no longer volcanically active —the hot mineral pools are a legacy of New Zealand's geothermal past.

The last picture is a war memorial at a lookout of the town Thames the gateway to Coramandel.

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Falls, Forest, Ferns and Flora

Two conspicuous features of New Zealand is waterfalls and flora. Though perhaps an odd connection, each is impressive in their own right due to the variety and visual display each offers.  We visited Haunu Falls which immediately reminded me of Greer Creek Falls near Vanderhoof, British Columbia.  The small plunge pools were about the same size but I was accompanied by two cute granddaughters at Greer Creek.  New Zealand has waterfalls in abundance given the suitable topography and plentiful rainfall.  A fault line depression probably created this one as there is very little erosion of the top rock face.

We walked in what I would describe as a fern forest to get to the falls.It made me think we were in the Jurassic period. A canopy of stately ferns overshadowed us like big umbrellas.

The parking lot was crowded with holiday visitors.  New Zealanders take their extended vacations from before Christmas to well into February. It was a warm, pleasant day with sufficient cloud cover to spare us from the summer sun.

The rest of the day was spent
visiting the Auckland Botanic
Garden - 156 acres in size
which includes 10 hectares of
native forest.

This garden captures the unique
South Pacific flavor. Surprisingly,
it was free; the grounds were well
maintained with paved footpaths
and well appointed signage.  The
garden is designed to showcase the
seasonal variations of flowering
plant life.

The very first observation upon
arrival in Auckland was how
green and the diversity of the
flora. The garden provided a
good cross section of the gardening
 options open to the locals.