Mangapohue Natural Bridge

Today's walk was a little further afield - about 150km away from my home in Hamilton, but a very worth drive.

The first destination was the Mangapohue natural bridge on Te Anga Road, about 25km away from Waitomo. The bridge is about 17m off the ground, and together with the gorge you walk through, forms the remnants of an ancient cave system. The walk itself is about 5 minutes, so not long at all.

A few photos:

Mangapohue Natural Bridge

Mangapohue Natural Bridge - Track with Swing Bridge

Mangapohue Natural Bridge - Track

Mangapohue Natural Bridge - Track

Mangapohue Natural Bridge

Mangapohue Natural Bridge

Mangapohue Natural Bridge

Once you've gone beneath the natural bridge, something else special is hiding in the same spot. Right inside these rocks for that matter - fossils!

Mangapohue Natural Bridge - Rocks

Mangapohue Natural Bridge - Fossillised shellfish

And few other things to take photos of too...

and a flower with a fly...

... a thistle with a bee...

Mmmm Blackberries

Blackberries - haul!

This has to be one of the best short tracks in the Waikato. Well worth a visit.

Winter Garden and Auckland Domain

What better place to go on Auckland anniversary weekend than Auckland?

The Auckland Domain has a lot to offer - particularly when Music in Parks is on - Jazz at the Rotunda in this case.

Music in Parks - Jazz at the Rotunda

The artist in question today: The Alan Brown Quartet with Gimel. Jazz seems ideal for this venue - the music carries well throughout the area, allowing you to enjoy the sights the gardens offer whilst not missing out on the music.

The band Rotunda, Auckland Domain (complete with band)

So what else is there at the domain? First off, gardens, and of course the Winter Gardens, built in 1913 as part of the Auckland Industrial Exhibition. As you'll see from the historic photo below - they haven't changed much, which makes me happy - I like the architecture of these wonderful glasshouses, and the Auckland Council does a great job keeping the gardens in constant bloom. A walk around the domain and winter gardens can easily consume half an afternoon... particularly if you have fond memories of it as a child.

Monarch Butterfly - Auckland Domain

Valkyrie Sanctuary - Auckland Domain

Monarch Butterfly - Auckland Domain

Winter Garden flowers - Auckland Domain

Winter Garden flowers - Auckland Domain

Winter Garden flowers and Bumble bee- Auckland Domain

Lilies - Winter Garden - Auckland Domain

Lilies - Winter Garden - Auckland Domain

Lilies - Winter Garden - Auckland Domain

Lilies - Winter Garden - Auckland Domain

Winter Garden - Auckland Domain 2011

Winter Garden - Auckland Domain 2011

Winter Garden - Auckland Domain 2011

Winter Garden - Auckland Domain 2011

Winter Garden - Auckland Domain - Historic undated photo

Te Awa Cycleway: Cambridge to Karapiro

So I took the time this week to walk a significant section of the new Cambridge to Karapiro cycleway, which is one of the latest parts of Te Awa | The Great New Zealand Ride.

In any case, I made a start from the Karapiro end of the route, and on foot, walked halfway back to Cambridge. The route for the most part passes along farmland and follows Maungatautari Road back towards Cambridge.

I'm looking forward to further parts of this track opening...