Day Twelve … exploring Auckland .. V2

Today was our last day in Auckland, so we wanted to make the most of the day. We were up early and headed out to explore the grounds of the University of Auckland. We love wandering through universities because of our own university days (and the fact that we met there), plus the fabulous buildings (and the crappy ones) that you find within the precinct. We completed an Ad Lab whilst we wandered the grounds and so had the chance to go to some less “typical” places.

Our next stop was to head out to Auckland Zoo. We love zoos and for a while there both volunteered, with Ian heavily involved when Werribee Open Range Zoo was first established. Auckland Zoo has five main walking tracks with each covering a different area of the world from Australian Bush (yes we did visit it!), New Zealand, African savannah, South American rainforest and New Zealand forest. The zoo grounds were beautiful. Well landscaped with lovely exhibit spaces for the animals, although at times the exhibit spaces were designed clearly with the animals at the forefront which meant in many cases you could not see any! It is a fine balance between conservation, education and public access. I’m not sure that Auckland has found the balance in some cases.

We did however get to see many wonderful animals and by far the highlight for me was the kiwi, which is nocturnal, and so the exhibit was in a darkened enclosure which mimicked evening. Once our eyes adjusted, and with the help of two fabulous school kids, we were able to spot the kiwis in the enclosure. And they are bigger than I imagined - body the size of a volleyball. The NZ Kea were also a highlight as they flew around open aviaries spreading their olive green wings to show flashes of red beneath.

The other highlight for me was the flamingos. Such strange yet graceful birds. We had stopped for an ice cream right next to the exhibit so was able to catch some of the keeper talk about them. A family from Australia was also there and they had come to the zoo specifically for the flamingos. After the talk the keeper took them behind the scenes and they were able to sit on the enclosure with the flamingos. The mother was beyond herself with excitement … it was a joy to watch.

Three hours on from wandering the zoo we headed into downtown Auckland. We stopped for lunch at one of the coolest Mexican restaurants I’ve ever been to. We ate lunch sitting at a surfboard for a table and the food was incredible. (This is our second Mexican meal on this trip … and NZ does Mexican well!). 

We headed to the Ferry Terminal and caught a ferry to Devonport - a quick 10 minute trip across the harbour. The ferry was super efficient and allowed us a wonderful view back across the harbour to Auckland city (and the Sky Tower). We wandered along the foreshore, stopped and grabbed a sneaky geocache hidden in the roots of an incredible old fig tree. Wandering back towards the ferry terminal we walked past Devonport Library, so of course we had to drop in. And boy was it worth it. What a fabulous library, cleverly laid out, a fabulous teen area, comfy couches sitting beside a gas fireplace which would be cosy in winter and beautiful wood throughout. 

Devonport Library 

Back on the ferry we headed back to Auckland where we completed another Ad Lab that took us to some historic locations in the city. It started at the Ferry Terminal, wandered on to the old Customs building and St Patricks Cathedral. We love that Adventure Labs take us to interesting places, don’t take up your time, and help you learn more about things around you that we often just walk by.

Our final destination today was the Wintergardens in the Auckland Domain. The gardens were designed in the 1900s and contain two beautiful glasshouses (one is currently not open to the public as it is undergoing earthquake strengthening work), a fernery and a central courtyard with a sunken pond. The glasshouse was filled with flowers, from orchids to lilies to phlox and foxgloves. I chatted with the gardener who clearly takes pride in his gardens as he stood there chatting whilst carefully deadheading flowers into a small bucket. He told me that pots are replaced in the glasshouses every two weeks to ensure a constant display of colour. So depending on what is flowering he will change the display. (You will not be surprised when I tell you that we completed an Ad Lab inside the Wintergardens!)

And so back to our hotel. Tonight we need to pack our cases for our flight tomorrow to Wellington where we have two days to end our trip.

PS … today is my darling dad’s 90th birthday. Sadly I will not be with him to celebrate but we will be calling him later and I will see him as soon as we are home. Sometimes plans get made and things get missed. I missed dad’s s birthday when we planned this trip but he was adamant that we go. So birthday wishes to my dad tonight … all the way from Auckland.