Waitakere Ranges

Wednesday Sept 21st we headed west of Auckland to Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. We first stopped at the park's visotors center. It was a gorgeous facility with very knowledgable and friendly staff. It is amazing how well maintained all the parks are in New Zealand. After chatting with the ranger and telling him what we were interested in, he advised us of a few trails he thought we would enjoy.
   We first hiked for a couple hours toward Kitekite falls (left pic). The cool weather is perfect for being outdoors, especially when heading up a mountain. It was a gorgeous waterfall and we spent quite a while enjoying it from different parts of the trail.    

   Next we headed to the coast in the park at the Tasman Sea. We took a short but strenuous hike up to a cliff edge right on the beach. We saw Lion Rock (right pic), and Nun Rock. Afterward we headed back to our hotel. Not a bad first day of hiking...