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...]
Peel Forest – Ancient and Accessible Legacy
Peel Forest is somewhere we had talked about staying some time, now we have a caravan to aid our exploring of New Zealand. We have finally carved out some time for a visit. Peel Forest is at the foot of the Southern Alps - 23 kms north of Geraldine in South Canterbury, 140 kms from Christchurch. It is part of the Mt Peel/Waikari Hills Conservation Area, situated by the … [Read more...]
Explore the Bays of Banks Peninsula
Our view is framed by hills running steeply to the sea. The bay stretches out beyond the hills to the horizon where at times it seems seamlessly attached to the sky. Pushing through the small breakers on our kayaks, we are soon in deep water – it is an impossible turquoise colour. Large forests of kelp sway with the swell which seems to increase as we head further out. … [Read more...]
Secrets of North Canterbury – Camping at Gore Bay
In the end it was the Bellbirds that called us – they were cavorting noisily in the pohutukawa trees out to the corner of the flat paddock which was the Buxton campground at Gore Bay. Easy choice for our first night in our new caravan. The second campground was nearer the swimming end of the beach, has slightly more facilities, and looked out more on the beach, but … [Read more...]
Her Journey: NZ Adventures for Women
Debbie Clarke is usually showing women from overseas around NZ. Like many others involved in tourism in NZ, she has refocused and is now offering a great collection of short trips for NZ Women - Her Journey Trips While we wait for our valued international guests to return, we've launched a series of shorter trips for New Zealand women. If you are based in New Zealand, we'd … [Read more...]
Explore Christchurch by Kayak
The Ōtākaro/Avon River runs through the Botanic Gardens, through the city centre, past Margaret Mahy Playground, Kerrs Reach and out to the Ihutai estuary. I have always wanted to kayak it, and today is the day! Katarina Te Maiharoa (KT) is our guide. KT has combined her passion for the outdoors, her love of Christchurch, and her connection to local iwi Waitaha to create … [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...]