Auckland - Sunday 16 January




1) Palm Beach, Waiheke Island

2) Dinner at the Sky Tower







Today we took our bikes by fast Catamaran ferry to the scenic Island of Waiheke about 20 miles off the eastern side of Auckland bay.

We had arrived in New Zealand just after the end of a long wet spell and the day again dawned bright and sunny with temperatures up to 23C.

The ferry ride was very similar to the ride to the Isle of Wight with the harbour full of boats and yachts.

Waiheke island is a similar size to the Isle of Wight with many hills and scenic coves and beaches. We rode just 8 miles via Blackpool and Ostend to stop for a few hours sunbathing on Onetangi beach and lunch at a cafe. We returned on a scenic hilly route via Palm Beach.

In the evening we headed to the Skytower for our prebooked evening meal at 196 meters. Considering the location the cost of this was very reasonable working out at about 20 pounds for an all you can eat buffet of which we took full advantage.

Although we only spent a few days in Auckland we were all very impressed by how clean and pleasant the City Centre is.