Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, is located on the ocean, behind a series of volcanic islands, bays, and lava flows.
Auckland across the water from WestHarbor, a marina toward the northwest of the city and home of some 2400 boats. |
The Sky Tower, located in downtown Auckland, is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere. The view from the top covers most of Auckland and vicinity. |
SouthWestern view |
Western view |
Northwestern view |
Northern view |
The Bay of Islands is a center for fishing and tourism. Numerous islands dot the area. Russell, located on a peninsula that extends into the bay, is the oldest town in New Zealand. Paihia, located across the bay from Russell on the main stretech of the northern island, was the site of a Christian mission, established in 1823.
Departing Paihia into the Bay of Islands |
Out into the Bay of Islands from Paihia |
Motukokako Island houses the famous Hole in the Rocks |
Approaching the Hole in the Rocks from the west |
The western part of the Northern Island juts out as an extended peninsula. New Plymouth has a nice harbor on the northern part of this area. Inland from New Plymouth, toward the south, is Mt. Taranaki.
The drive from Auckland to New Plymouth beings southward through Waitomo Caves and then westward along the coast to New Plymouth. |
The drive continues through valleys that cut through hills |
New Plymouth with a population of about 49,000 is the chief city on the western side of the North Island of New Zealand. WITT, the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, is on the south side of New Plymouth in the foothills.
From the hills at WITT, the downtown and ocean appear on the north. |
From WITT, Mt. Taranaki shows clearly to the south |