Category: Auckland

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Auckland harbour from Skytower

Auckland harbour from Skytower

Although I lived in Auckland for around a year in 2012/13 its been quite a few years since I’ve been up the Auckland Skytower. This is from the lookout or observation deck looking north west over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. In the foreground you can see the Wynyard Quarter and Westhaven Marina. On the far left is the edge of the Victoria Park. On the other side of the harbour bridge is the Northshore area’s of Chatsworth and Birkenhead. This has to be one of the best views in Auckland’s central city.

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Sunset from Piha beach

Sunset from Piha beach

For this landscape, I walked right up to the edge of the water. This gives a closer view of the sun setting behind these jagged rocks. I find with landscape photography, I often shoot very wide views to try and capture everything I’m seeing. Like the previous photograph of Lion Rock at sunset from much further back up the beach. It’s often worth getting closer and focusing on specific details in a landscape. I much prefer this composition. Not just for the great colours in the sunset but also the textures and lines of the rocks and water.

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Lion Rock at sunset

Lion Rock at sunset

Piha beach was one of the first coastal areas I visited in New Zealand. It is a winding but specular drive from Auckland and well worth the visit. The focal point of the beach is Lion Rock. It is about 100 metres but unsafe to climb right to the top. You can get about half way up, which I’ve done before but not on this visit. We were camping at the Piha Domain Camp Ground which was fantastic. This photograph was taken on an evening stroll along the beach at sunset. This is a black sand beach due to it being a volcanic area. In fact Lion Rock is the eroded neck of a volcano which erupted 16 million years ago.

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Auckland Skytower at night

Auckland Skytower at night

Spending a night in the Amora Hotel I captured this view of the Skytower from the balcony. I didn’t have my tripod with me so this was taken hand held. From this height you can only just make out the harbour between two of the buildings. I’d need a drone or at least a room on the top floor see more of the beautiful harbour behind the skyscrapers.