Takapuno and Devonport

Leaving our mark at Muriwai

Muriwai beach is situated on the West Coast of Auckland.  We visited this enchanting coastline, on our way out from Auckland, afterwards heading down South.

This beach is famous for its black sand.  This is due to the iron content derived from the volcanoes in the surrounding area.  The sand is eroded igneous material from volcanic areas.  Longshore drift, causes this black mineral sand to be carried up the west coast from Mount Taranaki.

The magical Muriwai beach

The beach is also known for surfing, fishing and sailing.  It also houses the region's only gannet colony.

As you can see from this picture, the place was magical - the black sand added a mystical quality to the scenery, and this combined with mist surrounding the distant scenery, made us feel we were looking out onto an enchanted land.

It was truly bewitching seeing the landscape and watching the sun set over this enchanting beach,

Narrow Neck Beach at Devonport

Earlier in the day, we visited a more traditional beach - Narrow Neck Beach - in one of Auckland's suburbs.    This was actually a location we hadn't intended on visiting, but stumbled upon on our drive to Takapuno.  It was deserted!

Beautiful clear water, golden sand ... and not a person in site!  Definitely worth a visit ... and there's a lovely cafe there too :)

The disappearing Cannon at North Head

At Devonport, we visited North Head - which has a disappearing gun, used in a war against the Russia, and also underground dungeons.

Pretty cool - plus the views of the harbours and islands of the gulf were stunning.  The only downside was it was pretty windy up top!!!!

More soon xxx