The North Island has a spectacular and varied coastline, from the perfect curves of its golden and black-sand beaches to the dog-toothed skyline of its storm-battered headlands, volcanic brows and rocky cliffs. Palm-fringed lagoons, island-studded bays and tranquil tidal flats add to the unique brew that makes the North Island coast such a magnet for walkers. Marios Gavalas has travelled all around the island's coast and selected 41 of his favourite walks. These range from 20-minute strolls to full-day hikes suitable for the fit and experienced. In amongst the highly detailed track notes are woven equally intricate points of interest ? notes on fauna and flora, fascinating geological features, and Maori and colonial history, all recounted in gripping detail. Each walk is prefaced with a concise panel that gives at-a-glance practical details on grade, duration, access and critical notes. Accompanying the walks are 16 pages of full-colour photographs by the author.
Author Biography
Since he arrived from England in the 1990s, Marios Gavalas has taken New Zealand's shores to his heart. A dedicated coast walker, he researched this book in true Kiwi style ? by touring the entire coastline in a VW Kombi. He is a member of the New Zealand Society of Authors and has five other NZ walking books to his credit. Like Coastal Walks in the North Island, they are illustrated with his own expert photography. He has also been published in the NZ Herald, NZ Wilderness and NZ Geographic.
