Travelsmartplanet

The Kauri trees are endangered so it’s really special when you can go into a forest and see quite of few very old ones. The Arataki Visitor Centre goes to great lengths to preserve and protect them. You can climb up a high trail and see then at the top reaching for the sky. The circular cluster is called The Cathedral.

In the trails outside the Arataki Visitor Centre in Waitakere NZ, you can get lost in the sea of ferns.

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The silver fern has been a symbol of New Zealand since the 1880s. To Maori, the shape of the fronds stood for strength, resistance, and power. To other New Zealanders, it’s exemplifies their homeland as it grows throughout the country from the North Island down to the coast of the South Island. It is the most abundant of all ferns in New Zealand. You can find it on all kinds of souvenirs. We bought sports socks with ferns on them as a momento of New Zealanders who enjoy lots of physical activity. 

You can take quiet walks in Waitakere’s Arataki Visitor Centre. These steps lead up and up and up to the treetop Cathedral of ancient Kauri trees. Worth the walk.

It’s surprising to find this peace and quiet in this amazing location outside the Arataki Visitor Centre in Waitakere so close to the bustling city of Auckland. These steps take you eventually up up up to the sky view. 

At the Agawa Canyon Park, the River Trail will take you to these high roaring Black Beaver Waterfalls. Wooden viewing platforms make it all easy and enjoyable.

At the end of the Agawa Canyon train ride, there are easy trail walks. Here the Bridal Veil Falls make for nice photography with reflections in the lake.

If you want to get away from the crowds, here are 2 picnic tables for you in Agawa Canyon Park. Take the train ride up from Sault Ste. Marie and enjoy the peace and quiet.

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Lush green fields for the cows to graze in in Switzerland. Making milk for chocolate?

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Just minutes apart, the clouds roll in and change the scene significantly in Lucerne, Switzerland.