DEVONPORT !

The "shelly" bayside walk with an awesome view of Auckland

Another Girls' Day and we went to Devonport, which is a popular destination for visitors.


Devenport aerial view

You can get there by ferry, it's only a 10-minute ferry ride from Auckland City and is situated on a peninsula surrounded by the Waitemata Harbour.


The ferry coming into Devenport

We had decided to do the 'historic Devenport walk' which takes about 2 hours and it's filled with little bits of colonial history when you explore on foot..


Duder Homestead


Historic Duder Homestead - you can rent this $3000 a night!

Of course there's a 'Duder Street', Duder Cafe, Duder Regional Park and Duder Hotel.
On 'Church Street' - you got it, there are lots of churches! One next to another. Brick, wood, and towering copper - we quite liked the little wooden church.


Holy Trinity Church


Stained glass window from the inside of Holy Trinity Church


St Paul's Church

Devenport has a village-like atmosphere, lots of tempting cafes,(we gave in in the end!) art galleries, elegant villas and interesting boutique shops (yes, we did shopping).


The Esplanade Hotel

This hotel is on the seafront and typical of NZ historic buildings, a Brighton hotel on the other side of the world! 1902 is ever so old here!
We also discovered that there were some famous writers who lived here...


Maurice Duggan


Maurice Duggan's House

I hadn't heard of him either!


James Bertram


James Bertram's House

Now you know all about him!

There are lava flows of black jagged rocks which flow out into the harbour, a constant reminder here of what lies beneath your feet. There are three volcano peaks, but two of them are much smaller than they used to be, due to quarrying.Mt Victoria is the largeset and you can walk up it easily.


Memorial where the first waka landed with the Maori chief

Devonport is also home to New Zealand's naval base and the Navy Museum - but we saved those for another visit!

There is a popular food and wine festival and an arts festival coming up next month, so we shall be returning.


Having a well-earned rest and a caramel smoothie!