Living in Auckland

I have been living in Auckland since March 2002 when I came to up to uni, (from the beautiful coromandel).  Shaun has lived here basically all his life.  Auckland is a great city to live in when you are young (especially if you are still at uni and only really have to do any work for about 15 hours a week.)  Anyway I dont really have a huge amount to say about Auckland, but for anyone who is bored enough to read this and is thinking about visiting Auckland here are a few good places to see.

First there are all the places you will find in your guidebook.  The skytower, which is a great way to see the city (and people jump off it - idiots), and there is the zoo especially if you have small children. Kelly Tarltons, which is a kind of Giant Aquarium.  Rainbows end. New Zealands one and only amusement park.

But if you really want to see some of New Zealand while you are here, there is the Museum, a great old building.  A half day trip to explore devonport, over the harbour is a good trip.  A few great day trips from Auckland are out to Rangitoto, a giant volcano in the middle of the Hauraki gulf.  Kawau Katz do a great day trip out to Coromandel. A two hour ferry ride, then a day of sightseeing etc in Coromandel town, followed by a two hour ferry ride home. Coromandel is really a great place to see.  Another awesome place to head is to Waiheke, again catching a ferry.  I

f you want to head out to the beach, and are into Surfing, head out west, over the Waitakere ranges towards Piha, and other black sand surf beaches.  Although if you arent used to the water, do be careful, these beaches are notoriously dangerous. And can not be patrolled all the time.  Auckland is a great place to base yourself for a few days, maybe 3 or 4 before you head north or south.  Which is where the real NZ lies.

Head North to see some historical NZ. Waitangi, where NZ's treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, (about as far back as NZ's European history goes).  Head to the Bay of Islands for some water activities.  Boat trips, dolphin spotting etc.

If you are heading south dont miss the Coromadel Peninsula, both the East and West Coast. Warning: dont stop in Thames (it might be 'the gateway to the coromandel' but its rusting at the hinges). Towns to visit. Coromandel for all the arts and crafts, and some interesting people spotting.  Whitianga, and all the surounding Mercury Bay, for Hot Water Beach, Hahei, Cathederal Cove, Kuaotunu, and Otama for some of the best beaches you will ever see.  And endless water sports.  Waihi is a good place to see some local goldmining history. The whole town is built on a mine, and is slowly sinking.

Further South you have Hamilton (dont stop here - NZers call is Hamilhole - it is literally built in a hole), Tauranga, Rotorua... then you just keep on heading south till you get to Bluff (if you dare).

PS - word to the wise: dont believe everything you see in Rotorua.  Despite popular myth the Maori dont really live like this anymore...

Anyway the rest of this is filler text so I can fit the photos on.

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I have been living in Auckland since March 2002 when I came to up to uni, (from the beautiful coromandel).  Shaun has lived here basically all his life.  Auckland is a great city to live in when you are young (especially if you are still at uni and only really have to do any work for about 15 hours a week.)  Anyway I dont really have a huge amount to say about Auckland, but for anyone who is bored enough to read this and is thinking about visiting Auckland here are a few good places to see.

First there are all the places you will find in your guidebook.  The skytower, which is a great way to see the city (and people jump off it - idiots), and there is the zoo especially if you have small children. Kelly Tarltons, which is a kind of Giant Aquarium.  Rainbows end. New Zealands one and only amusement park.

But if you really want to see some of New Zealand while you are here, there is the Museum, a great old building.  A half day trip to explore devonport, over the harbour is a good trip.  A few great day trips from Auckland are out to Rangitoto, a giant volcano in the middle of the Hauraki gulf.  Kawau Katz do a great day trip out to Coromandel. A two hour ferry ride, then a day of sightseeing etc in Coromandel town, followed by a two hour ferry ride home. Coromandel is really a great place to see.  Another awesome place to head is to Waiheke, again catching a ferry.  I

f you want to head out to the beach, and are into Surfing, head out west, over the Waitakere ranges towards Piha, and other black sand surf beaches.  Although if you arent used to the water, do be careful, these beaches are notoriously dangerous. And can not be patrolled all the time.  Auckland is a great place to base yourself for a few days, maybe 3 or 4 before you head north or south.  Which is where the real NZ lies.

Head North to see some historical NZ. Waitangi, where NZ's treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, (about as far back as NZ's European history goes).  Head to the Bay of Islands for some water activities.  Boat trips, dolphin spotting etc.

If you are heading south dont miss the Coromadel Peninsula, both the East and West Coast. Warning: dont stop in Thames (it might be 'the gateway to the coromandel' but its rusting at the hinges). Towns to visit. Coromandel for all the arts and crafts, and some interesting people spotting.  Whitianga, and all the surounding Mercury Bay, for Hot Water Beach, Hahei, Cathederal Cove, Kuaotunu, and Otama for some of the best beaches you will ever see.  And endless water sports.  Waihi is a good place to see some local goldmining history. The whole town is built on a mine, and is slowly sinking.

Further South you have Hamilton (dont stop here - NZers call is Hamilhole - it is literally built in a hole), Tauranga, Rotorua... then you just keep on heading south till you get to Bluff (if you dare).

PS - word to the wise: dont believe everything you see in Rotorua.  Despite popular myth the Maori dont really live like this anymore...

Anyway the rest of this is filler text so I can fit the photos on.

ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

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I have been living in Auckland since March 2002 when I came to up to uni, (from the beautiful coromandel).  Shaun has lived here basically all his life.  Auckland is a great city to live in when you are young (especially if you are still at uni and only really have to do any work for about 15 hours a week.)  Anyway I dont really have a huge amount to say about Auckland, but for anyone who is bored enough to read this and is thinking about visiting Auckland here are a few good places to see.

First there are all the places you will find in your guidebook.  The skytower, which is a great way to see the city (and people jump off it - idiots), and there is the zoo especially if you have small children. Kelly Tarltons, which is a kind of Giant Aquarium.  Rainbows end. New Zealands one and only amusement park.

But if you really want to see some of New Zealand while you are here, there is the Museum, a great old building.  A half day trip to explore devonport, over the harbour is a good trip.  A few great day trips from Auckland are out to Rangitoto, a giant volcano in the middle of the Hauraki gulf.  Kawau Katz do a great day trip out to Coromandel. A two hour ferry ride, then a day of sightseeing etc in Coromandel town, followed by a two hour ferry ride home. Coromandel is really a great place to see.  Another awesome place to head is to Waiheke, again catching a ferry.  I

f you want to head out to the beach, and are into Surfing, head out west, over the Waitakere ranges towards Piha, and other black sand surf beaches.  Although if you arent used to the water, do be careful, these beaches are notoriously dangerous. And can not be patrolled all the time.  Auckland is a great place to base yourself for a few days, maybe 3 or 4 before you head north or south.  Which is where the real NZ lies.

Head North to see some historical NZ. Waitangi, where NZ's treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, (about as far back as NZ's European history goes).  Head to the Bay of Islands for some water activities.  Boat trips, dolphin spotting etc.

If you are heading south dont miss the Coromadel Peninsula, both the East and West Coast. Warning: dont stop in Thames (it might be 'the gateway to the coromandel' but its rusting at the hinges). Towns to visit. Coromandel for all the arts and crafts, and some interesting people spotting.  Whitianga, and all the surounding Mercury Bay, for Hot Water Beach, Hahei, Cathederal Cove, Kuaotunu, and Otama for some of the best beaches you will ever see.  And endless water sports.  Waihi is a good place to see some local goldmining history. The whole town is built on a mine, and is slowly sinking.

Further South you have Hamilton (dont stop here - NZers call is Hamilhole - it is literally built in a hole), Tauranga, Rotorua... then you just keep on heading south till you get to Bluff (if you dare).

PS - word to the wise: dont believe everything you see in Rotorua.  Despite popular myth the Maori dont really live like this anymore...

Anyway the rest of this is filler text so I can fit the photos on.

ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

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