Muriwai Coast

The west coast of New Zealand looks rugged pretty much from the top, to the bottom.  The only difference is probably the ambient temperature, and whether people have tamed the hillsides with some farmland - as they have here.

The flat rocks around the base of these cliffs are deadly, too, since one wave in a hundred or so will be extra large and wash them clean of any foolish person who has wandered out onto the seemingly safe and dry, and then the tidal rip will drag them out to sea.

If you're ever visiting Auckland the drive out to Muriwai (or any of the west coast beaches) is always worthwhile.  I took this shot from the gannet colony while I was out getting a spot of (very) fresh air with my mum, back in 2012.

Muriwai   Auckland