Let's face it - If you cross half of the world to come to New Zealand, it is not ***just*** to visit Auckland, as NZ has so much more to offer. But I thought after 3 weeks in the country that New Zealand's biggest city would be a good last stop before leaving to my next destination : New Caledonia (The only flights between NZ and Noumea are anyway from AKL...). That last stop would also be a good opportunity to meet one more time, Yohann, a fellow French traveller I met in Tasmania one month before as he was just starting his trip in NZ.
I started my day by getting a few last minute souvenirs downtown and headed towards the waterfront. Later on I walked to Mount Eden for a picnic overlooking the city. Mount Eden (Maungawhau in Maori) is a small volcano in the city - Reminded me a bit San Francisco's twin peaks (although the latter is not a volcano :-))


Auckland's SkyTower


Downtown Ferry terminal



After a short walk (about 20 min as far as I recall) I reached the top and had picnic under the shade of a tree...




Mount Eden


View towards downtown


The Eden Park stadium






My next stop is displayed here...

I continued my walk towards the botanical gardens in the Domain (one of Auckland's largest city parks)



The Auckland War museum in the middle of Auckland's Domain park

I continued my city hike towards the bayfront and took one of the ferry's to Devonport at the end of the day to have a nice sight of the skyline.






Auckland's waterfront





Ferry to Devonport



Auckland's skyline



Devonport - Did not explore more unfortunately


As I was meeting Yohann for some drinks and dinner I did not really stay much in Devonport and took the ferry back to Auckland to meet him.

The next day was quite uneventful - I woke up later than usual (a few too many drinks the night before ) and spent my last few hours in NZ or last minute shopping and packing before heading to the international airport...

As I said before : you don't come in NZ just to visit Auckland (that is actually what Beth, a kiwi girl I met in Thailand told me !) - it's certainly a pleasant place to live in I am sure and it was a nice last stop in the country before leaving !
I just want to travel again watching those pictures - NZ would be on my top 5 destinations to go back to !