Week 6
25 February 2007
 
 
Mt Victoria
 
Mt Victoria, or Takuranga in Maori which means "the hill above", was named after Queen
Victoria.  At 87 metres it is the highest volcano on Auckland's North Shore.  It offers
spectacular panoramic views of Auckland's Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf
which lies between Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula and the Hauraki Plains.  Hauraki
means north wind in Maori.  In 1885 when it was feared that Auckland will be attached
by the Russians, the first fortification was built on Mt Victoria.  On the Northern side,
four 64 pounder muzzle loading guns from the H.M.S Nelson were placed on a terrace. 
In 1893 these guns were downgraded to a "saluting battery" and in May 1911, the last
two were moved to Windsor Reserve.  Mt Victoria is situated in Devonport, a seaside
suburb of Auckland and one of oldest areas on Auckland's North Shore.
 
 
 
Quote for the week
 
I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it.  ~Author Unknown
 
 
The world's largest passenger ship (151,400-tonne), the giant Queen Mary 2 arrived
in Auckland on 17/02/07 for the day as part of her maiden voyage and 80 day
around the world trip.  Queen Mary 2 was too high to sail under the Auckland
Harbour Bridge and could not berth at the international cruise liner terminal
at Princes Wharf because it's too long
 
Click here to download the cutaway image showing the Queen Mary 2 interior
Click here to download the comparison image of the Queen Mary 2 to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Official Cunard website for Queen Mary 2's visit to New Zealand: www.queenmary2.co.nz
 
 
 
 
Auckland City as seen from Mt Victoria.  Note how a container ship is
dwarfed by the Queen Mary 2
 
 
 
 
Auckland Harbour Bridge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Looking towards North Head with Brown's Island (Motukorea) behind
 
 
 
 
Moving house from Waiheke Island to Auckland City ......
 
 
 
 
The port of Devonport and part of Devonport village.  On the right, in the distance
is Mt Eden (Maungawhau) with Auckland Museum just to the left of it
 
 
 
 
A shipping signal station
 
 
 
 
This 8 inch disappearing gun was first stored at North Head but was moved in
1898 as it was decided that from Mt Victoria's height it could protect both the
inner and outer harbour
 
 
 
 
A vista map of Auckland, Manukau Harbour (largest) Waitemata Harbour and
surrounding islands.  The largest island on the right is Waiheke Island
 
 
 
 
The view towards St Heliers, Kohimarama and Mission Bay
 
 
 
 
Looking towards Rangitoto across sprouting ventilation "mushrooms"
 
 
 
 
Another view of Auckland City - note the naval vessel on the right and
the Waitakere Ranges in the back
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.