You’ve just landed on the ultimate guide to skiing in Queenstown! Nestled in the Southern Alps of New Zealand's South Island, Queenstown is a winter wonderland that attracts skiers and snowboarders from around the globe. With its breathtaking alpine scenery, world-class ski resorts, and vibrant après-ski scene, Queenstown is a dream destination. In this guide, … [Read more...]
Te Ara Ahi cycle trail – Rotorua connections
Te Ara ahi cycle trail is 48kms long and can be done in 1-2 days, or you can do what we did and use it to access other trails or the city. From our base at Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park we hopped on the trail to Embark on a journey shaped by fire and culture on the earth's active crust which has been ripped apart and now gives glimpses into its belly at seven steaming … [Read more...]
Rotorua – cycling the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop
This ride is not for the faint hearted - it says it is Grade 2 with bits of Grade 3, I found it a challenge largely because it is a four hour ride, but there were lots of opportunities to get off the track and head home if it was too much. The Whakarewarewa Forest Loop is the newest of NZ's great rides (the app is a must for cycling in NZ). The Loop is a 33km circular, … [Read more...]
Cycling the Old Coach Road Ohakune
What do you associate with the words 'old coach road'? Showing my ignorance here, but I didn't think of cobbles! Lots of cobbles on this old coach road - not the smoothest ride and to think each stone was fashioned and laid by hand - wow! A wonderful historic ride over viaducts and through rainforest - towering ancient podocarps - always breathtaking in their beauty. Cynthia … [Read more...]
Cycle Wellington’s Rocky Shoreline
They say you can not beat Wellington on a good day. The heavy morning rain had cleared, the sea was flat, there was little wind. This 35 km ride is flat, on mostly quiet roads. Who would have guessed that so close to the heart of a great city like Wellington would be a coastal ride like this. Basically it takes you in a coastal circuit with Wellington Airport in the … [Read more...]
Observatory Hotel Christchurch
We have just spent a very special weekend in Observatory Hotel, a new boutique hotel which is in the middle of the Old revitalised Arts Centre. It was magic. Nothing about this hotel screams "generic". There are art and history books to read, comfortable sitting areas, and at the top I found a quiet room to zoom one early morning - the Conservatory. It is midwinter and … [Read more...]
Te Awa River Ride
Cambridge is a good sized country town 20 minutes from Hamilton metropolis - we are here to see friends and to explore some of the Te Awa River Ride Waikato River Trails we have heard so much about. In between rides, we can explore the galleries, cafēs and antique shops that line the main street. Te Awa River ride towards Hamilton via the Velodrome An easy gentle ride to … [Read more...]
Frankton is our base for some Queenstown Cycleways
Cycling Trip March 2022 Otago Queenstown Part 3 Queenstown is not my favourite place - but it is in one of the most beautiful locations in New Zealand. The secret is stay in – Arrowtown, or Frankton or Lake Hayes. All of these have an amazing network of hundreds of kilometres of cycle trails linking you to the great outdoors. Staying at Driftaway … [Read more...]
Lake Dunstan Trail
Cycling Trip March 2022 Otago Queenstown Part 2 Last year we did the Pisa Landing to Bannockburn part of the trail a week before the rest of the trail opened. So this year we are back to do the real thing – it seems about 500 other people have the same idea. Bannockburn Bridge is our starting point – only 33.9 kms from here – less range anxiety with my Moustache … [Read more...]
Cromwell here we come
Cycling Trip March 2022 Otago Queenstown Part 1 We are heading off in our caravan for a week of cycling in Central Otago and Queenstown – the highlight of the trip is to be the new Dunstan Cycle Trail. Towing a caravan slows us down somewhat, so we decide to break our journey to Central Otago (from Christchurch) in Lake Tekapo. We love the Lake Tekapo Motels and … [Read more...]