What is not to like – this is New Zealand at it’s best – accessible but off the beaten track Pukatea or Whites Bay is a beautiful Department of Conservation (DOC) campground Surrounded by native bush full of birds with a safe beach and heaps of walks to explore. At night a short walk will lead you to a beautiful glow worm grotto. During the day you … [Read more...]
10 Must dos in Te Anau – first stay longer
As the gateway to the New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, Te Anau is somewhere people usually pass through on their way to Milford Sound, or to do the Milford or Kepler Track. As part of our Covid driven local explorations, we have decided to stay four nights and explore. As we have started to find out – these ‘gateway’ places are magical in themselves, and well worth the … [Read more...]
Ruby Bay, Mapua and Cycling the Spooner Tunnel
Mapua and nearby Ruby Bay are favourite spots for us, and so after our stay at Elaine Bay in the Marlborough Sounds, we head drove to the Nelson area for a few days. I am sure Nelson city is a nice place, but getting through it and out the other side is not straightforward, and we were glad to eventually get past the traffic and out the other side. Driving along the … [Read more...]
Elaine Bay in the Marlborough Sounds
Perhaps as the crow flys it is not a long way, but once we turned off after Pelorus Bridge (great coffee, food and walks there) in the Rai Valley the road narrowed and snaked out along the ridge lines, we slowed down and were very grateful that we were not towing our new caravan – this would definitely be a challenging first tow, not a straight line in sight. The road … [Read more...]
Murchison for the October long weekend
Murchison is usually seen as a stopping point on the way to somewhere else – to Nelson or the West Coast. Our new life is about exploring the hidden magic of New Zealand in our new caravan. We have not picked it up yet, so a cabin it is this weekend as we explore Murchison. A River Runs Through it The Buller River thunders along this valley, nearby … [Read more...]
Kimi Ora – an Eco Resort
Just before the Abel Tasman National Park at the top of the South Island of New Zealand is a popular beach - Kaiteretere. And nestled into the bush above the beach is a hidden Gem - The Kimi Ora Eco Resort. We have the rare treat of staying in the Yurt at this Resort - something you can not book into, but is occasionally available - and we are here for 4 magical days. … [Read more...]
Ngakuta Bay – Bach by the Sea
Drive from Picton towards Nelson on the Scenic Route to Havelock. This is a winding coastal road, with great views out to the sounds and lots of lookout spots to take it in. Ngakuta Bay is on this road. On this road keep an eye out for small bays you can only walk to, The Grove - a community that must have the most fun letter boxes, Department of Conservation … [Read more...]
Accommodation on the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail
This summer I was the support vehicle for a group of friends doing the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail. I took my electric bike along and joined in for some of the best parts of the trail - you can read about it here. This fantastic 300 km ride goes from Aoraki Mt Cook (or Lake Tekapo) in the South Island of New Zealand. It takes you through some amazing country - past beautiful … [Read more...]
Stay like a Kiwi – Okarito Accommodation
Okarito is just north of Franz Josef on the West Coast of New Zealand. These days it is a sleepy seaside village with just 35 permanent inhabitants. It has known former life as a key area for Maori food gathering, and in 1866 it had 1500 residents during the height of the gold rush.It is the largest unmodified wetland in New Zealand, and a spectacular inland … [Read more...]
Kaikoura is back in Action and the Mediterranean Motel Kaikoura is the Place to Stay
Did the earth move for you? Just after midnight on the 14th November 2016 I was asleep 180 kms south of Kaikoura in Christchurch. Christchurch is used to earthquakes, but when we woke at this one, and it went on and on, we knew it was serious. We live by the coast and along with our neighbours and after some initial confusion, we jumped in our cars and … [Read more...]