hauraki gulf : orakei wharf okahu bay
These photographs were taken at Okahu Bay, Auckland. Each time I sail in and out of Auckland Harbour, I pass Orakei Wharf, and the breakwater of old wooden piles which stretch across the bay. The sandy beach of Okahu Bay is approximately 6km from Auckland CBD, – a great place to picnic, swim, hire a kayak [...]
coromandel peninsula : hauraki gulf new zealand
Still pulling out of holiday mode, and waiting for summer to arrive. These photographs were taken a couple of weeks ago during a trip across to Coromandel Peninsula. After a perfect sail to Motukahaua Island, part of the Happy Jacks, I spent the night in the idyllic Elephant Cove. The first photo above was taken [...]
rangitoto island : the heart of aucklands hauraki gulf
If a physical feature was to be omitted from Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, I think it may be Rangitoto Island that would be missed the most. This beautifully symmetrical landmark is visible from all directions, and along with the Sky Tower, I think Rangitoto is the most tangible symbol of arriving home. This must be the [...]
looking back : from motuihe to auckland
These Motuihe Island photographs were taken a week ago using a new 2x extender on a Canon 70 – 200 mk2 lens, during a short sail from Auckland. Motuihe is a beautiful three sided island with a choice of white sandy bays providing 360 degree protection in moderate winds. It is only 16 km from [...]
boats : auckland waitemata harbour. hauraki gulf.
It surprises me how often I am on the only boat anchored overnight in a bay, particularly when Auckland is flooded with boats. Even when sailing between islands, there may be no other boat in sight. I didn’t set out to make boat photographs a significant part of my Hauraki Gulf collection, my focus was [...]
auckland harbour bridge : with alien spacecraft
These Auckland Harbour Bridge photographs and the slide show images above have just been added to Hauraki Gulf Structures. While not the prettiest bridge in the world it is nevertheless an important Auckland icon, a symbol of home to Aucklander’s. What many Aucklander’s will not have seen is the beautiful and intriguing Bungy Pod structure, [...]
magic light and boating spots : close to auckland
The above three photographs have been drawn from my back catalogue, and added to Hauraki Gulf images. Together with the five slideshow photographs currently displaying, all were taken within close proximity of each other. These Motutapu and Waiheke Island destinations can be reached within 2 hours sailing from Auckland city, illustrating some of the special [...]
new zealand pure : our pristine sea surface
At times the sea appears silky, and then a breeze will ruffle this glassy surface into exquisite patterns and reflections. Seeing the smooth blue ripples and wavelets is always a special time for me. Until this week, our unspoiled coastline seemed a world away from oil spillage, and as a country there is a universal [...]
chelsea sugar refinery : auckland upper harbour
This old orange landmark building sits quietly across the inner harbour from central Auckland. Built in 1883 on 450 acres of Birkenhead land, Chelsea Refinery continues to be New Zealand’s main source of sugar. Ships carrying bulk raw sugar from the Pacific and Australia, access the refinery by passing under Auckland Harbour Bridge. Most of [...]
new zealand fine art landscape : chamberlains bay
This site is presently undergoing development, so you may notice some odd design elements occurring over the next week or two. Last Friday, here in Auckland, was the opening of the Rugby World Cup 2011. I will start my photographic coverage of this event with a number of slideshows and update these every two days. [...]
mullet bay mist : hauraki gulf
Photographing from one fixed position over a 12 hour period is an interesting exercise. These three photographs, the current slide show above, and my previous post, were all taken while at anchor, overnight, in Mullet Bay, Motutapu Island, Hauraki Gulf. At sea, it can be difficult to find subjects of photographic interest, a typical scene [...]
mullet bay sunshine : motutapu island
These photographs have recently been added to the Gallery, Hauraki Gulf Colour. They are part of a series taken at Mullet Bay, a small bay of Motutapu Island, which is close to Auckland city. Fortunately while anchored overnight in Mullet Bay I chanced a clear evening followed by a beautiful morning fog. Two of the [...]
sullivans bay reflections : mahurangi harbour
These photographs were taken on a winters evening, while at or approaching Sullivans Bay (Otarawao Bay), Mahurangi Harbour. The current slide show photographs were also taken while at anchor in Sullivans Bay. I had intended photographing throughout the Hauraki Gulf this winter but have been unable to, due to a torn knee cartilage. I have [...]
auckland harbour : fishing hauraki gulf
Some blokes seem to get the fishing bug real bad. Boats and gear, early morning starts, long blasts out to their secret spot. Sitting, waiting, and sometimes nothing. It’s good…. but not for me. Funny actually, as I also have the boat, the gear, the long hauls, and because of photography, the early morning starts. [...]
waiheke island : waiheke wine
These three images have been added to the Hauraki Gulf colour gallery. The slideshow images are also of Waiheke Island and will soon be added to the Hauraki Gulf gallery. All photographs are available as high resolution fine art prints, and rights managed licencing for commercial purposes, via Galleries. Waiheke Island is the second largest [...]
channel island : hauraki gulf photographs
Often referred to in weather forecasts but never seen, – Channel Island was always a mystery to me. Early one morning my curiosity was satisfied by sailing from Port Jackson, at the northern end of Coromandel Peninsula, out and around Channel Island. This small barren island lies in the passage of water between Great Barrier [...]
moturekareka island : hauraki gulf new zealand
Moturekareka Island is a ‘gem’ located between Kawau Island and Mahurangi Harbour. A feature of this island is the wreck of the Rewa which was once the largest New Zealand registered sailing ship. The Rewa was bought in the early 1930′s and towed to Moturekareka Island by then owner Charlie Hansen, who planned to moor [...]
hauraki gulf boats : te kouma harbour
Te Kouma Harbour is a prime destination within the Hauraki Gulf. It is a large, all weather anchorage on the western coast of Coromandel Peninsula. After crossing the Firth of Thames, via Waiheke Island, it provides a safe and beautiful refuge while exploring the many islands and bays further north. The harbour can feel like [...]
hauraki gulf boats : new gallery
I am new to boating. An early adventure was sailing solo to the far north of New Zealand, Mangonui, and spending time in the Bay of Islands, and Whangaroa Harbour. On arrival back at Kawau Island I concluded the Hauraki Gulf has it all, – in abundance. Where else in the world can you enjoy [...]
waiheke photographs : tarahiki island
These Hauraki Gulf photographs and the slideshow above were all taken last August, while at anchor in Opopo Bay, Waiheke Island. A visual feast was brought about by constantly changing weather, - light rain, heavy rain, rainbows, sunshine, dark clouds, squalls and calm. Photography is largely about light, which at times is flat and bleak, [...]
hauraki gulf photos : browns island
These two photographs of Browns Island, have recently been added to the Hauraki Gulf Gallery. Volcanic, Browns Island (Motukorea) was purchased from Maori by William Brown in 1840 for the purpose of breeding pigs for the emerging Auckland market. He and Dr John Logan Campbell, now best known for Cornwall Park, briefly lived on the [...]
kawau island : mansion house and beehive island
As part of my Hauraki Gulf photography project I was recently at Kawau Island. On arrival at Mansion House Bay the tide happened to be unusually high, contributing to this out of the ordinary perspective of Mansion House. A second view of Mansion House has also been added to the Gallery. Beehive Island is close [...]
great mercury island : I will return
After many years of wanting to see the Mercury Islands I was able to conclude this twelve day voyage with a short but sweet visit. The week of storm weather had stirred up blankets of seaweed which proved quite a hazard. Maybe because my propeller is a feathering type, on several occasions I had to [...]
confined to cabin : tryphena harbour
Another three days of raging storm after a two day break in the weather.I was intending to make my first visit to the Mercury Islands but was forced to wait out this storm in Tryphena Harbour.Time passed comfortably enough, working and studying on the computer, music and podcasts on the iTouch, [...]
