Part 1
Located at the mouth of Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, North Head was an important
lookout and defence site, firstly for the Maori and later for the Europeans. A defence fort
was set up here in the late 1800's to defend Auckland from a feared Russian attack. During
World Wars I and II it was Auckland's coastal defence system. A chain of forts defended
the Hauraki Gulf with North Battery, originally named Port Cautley being one of three. This
historic reserve is a fascinating area to explore with its complex of tunnels, guns and
fortifications. Part 1 takes you on the first half of the self-guided walk which begins at
the main car park
Quote of the week
Photography offers all things a young person desires - a sense of purpose, a real sense
of adventure and something at the end of it to reward you. - Donavan Wylie,
Amateur Photographer, 29 August l998
This gun was originally used at Fort Bastion on Bastion Point. It stands on a concrete
platform which once was the floor of an army drying room. Rangitoto Island can
be seen in the background
The view towards Mt Victoria
Looking down at Cheltenham Beach, one of the North Shore's seaside suburbs
Steps lead you down to Cheltenham Beach
Rangitoto, and my fascination continues ......
Looking back to where we came from
One of several gun emplacements can be seen on this walk
The early morning sun gives the water a blinding shimmer
Another part of the pathway
And around the corner we were met by this sight
Behind "Onnika" the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial obelisk on
Bastion Point can be seen
The first part of the walk ends on the other side of this tunnel, dug by
engineers in 1900
After exiting the tunnel you get to look across Torpedo Bay toward Auckland City,
with Torpedo Wharf in the foreground. Partly visible is Duders Beach and
Mt Victoria is on the right
You are welcome to contact the photographer
Suzette Bothma
for copies of any of these pictures
or if you wish to add a link to these pages.
Thank you.
Text and images © 2005-2007 Aotearoa Cam. All rights reserved.
Do not reproduce without permission.
