We travelled from east coast to west coast in a few hours in Auckland to view some volcanic features. On the calm waters of the east coast at Takapuna Beach, we saw Rangitoto Island, a volcanic that erupted only 500 years ago.

The sand on this beach is sandy at least, and full of shell bits. It’s not a bad place to stroll down, even on a showery day.

The west coast beaches of course were completely different. We visited Muriwai Beach to view the basalt columns on the cliff-face.

With its black sand, biting winds and roaring surf, it was certainly a wild and woolly place.