Trips for Visitors.

Strangers passing through Auckland with even very limited time at their disposal, may yet pass that time to great advantage. The top of Mount Eden may be reached from the wharf or railway station in an hour, even without the aid of the 'buses which run to the foot of the mount at frequent and regular intervals; and the view from this vantage ground is so extensive, varied and beautiful that the necessary trouble is well repaid within the first five minutes.

Following this, a trip to the North Shore, by one of the fine fleet of ferry steamers, will be found most enjoyable, as the harbour and town can be advantageously seen from the Flagstaff Hill reserve at Devonport. From Devonport the distance to Lake Takapuna is about four miles; and 'buses and brakes run frequently and in accordance with the published time-table. From the proprietor of the Lake Hotel boats may be hired, and in all respects excellent accommodation is provided at this handsome well-appointed and popular hostelry. There is a good wharf on the beach near the Lake, and ferry steamers run there at advertised times.

An afternoon or a whole day or more may be pleasantly spent at St. Helier's Bay, Rangitoto (which may be climbed in forty minutes from the wharf and descended in half that time) Howick, Tamaki, and other similar places.

What is known to a few Aucklanders as the “West Coast Trip” should certainly be undertaken by those who are able to endure a fatiguing but most delightful journey on horseback, and who can spare the necessary time during the summer season. Two days are required to do the whole trip, and that time may with benefit be very considerably lengthened. The beach and the pretty little lakes at Te Henga should be first seen. The beach is delightfully hard, and on it the breakers roar and roll majestically. Care should be exercised in crossing the quicksands between the bush and the beach, but the latter is quite safe. The lakes mostly have wooded banks, but at least one has nothing but sand above the water line. This is the favourite lake for swimmers on account of the excitement afforded to those who clamber up its steepest and highest side, to a height of fifty or sixty feet, and then roll and tumble helter-skelter into the water beneath. From Te Henga to Kirikiri the track is of the roughest description, at least two hours being occupied in travelling a distance which on a good road might be covered in half an hour. But the views obtained of the pretty little lakes and bush-clad hills on the one side, and of the roaring and rolling ocean on the other, are such as, once seen, are not likely ever to be forgotten. From Kirikiri to Nihotapu is a fairly easy stage; and here the Nihotapu Falls should be visited, but on foot, as no other way is at present possible. The Waitakerei Falls should also be seen before returning.

When it is considered that the railway at Waitakerei is not more than ten miles in a direct line from this grand ocean beach, with bays and islets and blowholes and roaring breakers, it is surprising that more has not been done to open this interesting part of the district. At present, not one Aucklander in a thousand has ever seen the lovely spots just referred to; and the sea can never be seen in all its grandeur on the east coast near Auckland on account of the shelter afforded by the Hauraki Gulf. No doubt, time will see the west coast to the north of Manukau Harbour, made accessible even to delicate persons in need of the invigorating sea breezes; but in the meantime, the reasonably strong should endeavour to make use of such means of access as are already possessed by this most charming district.