Archway Islands, Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand Feb 6, 2025

Archway Islands, Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand

Welcome to the Archway Islands—a group of four rock stacks at Wharariki Beach in New Zealand. The islands are a result of wind and coastal erosion that have shaped the rocks into arches, caves and stacks. The rocks, which are around 55–65 million years old, are made of quartz- and feldspar-rich sandstones and pebbly conglomerates. Rising from the waters of the Tasman Sea, these rugged islets became well known around the world after they were featured in a Windows 10 desktop screensaver in 2015. At low tide, curious wanderers can explore caves and rock pools and often spot lounging seals.

© Francesco Vaninetti/AWL/plainpicture

palette

Today in History

Feb 6, 2024Lake Tahoe
Feb 6, 2026Ra Gusela peak at Giau Pass, near Cortina dAmpezzo, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 12, 2023Palouse region, Idaho, USA
Sep 9, 2023Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
Sep 9, 2025Eurasian red squirrel
Feb 21, 2026Red fox, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, United States
Mar 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
May 24, 2024Añisclo gorge, Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Spain
Jul 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece
Dec 30, 2025Whooper swans
Jul 10, 2024Collared aracari
Dec 29, 2023Oud-West neighbourhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands
May 13, 2024Fish River Canyon, Namibia
Nov 3, 2025Jellyfish, Guerrero, Mexico
Nov 7, 2025Polar bear in Canada
Jan 12, 2026Eurasian otters
Oct 12, 2024Wood duck, Quebec, Canada
Sep 17, 2023Cuban tody, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba
Oct 16, 2023Golden larches and Prusik Peak, Enchantments, Washington, USA
Jan 18, 2024Pont Alexandre III, Paris, France
Feb 4, 2024Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria
Dec 26, 2023Dedham, Colchester, England
Jan 25, 2026Burns National Heritage Park, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland
Apr 18, 2024Medieval city walls, Ávila, Spain
Sep 25, 2025Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
Dec 1, 2024Icebergs, Antarctica
Jul 1, 2024Fisgard Lighthouse, Colwood, British Columbia, Canada
Oct 29, 2025Ancient til trees in Fanal Forest, Madeira, Portugal
Apr 17, 2024Black bear cub emerges into spring
Sep 16, 2024Wallabies at sunrise, Australia
Dec 17, 2023Bohemian waxwings
Jun 14, 2025Cinque Torri, Dolomites, Italy