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...]
Exploring the Five Best Hiking Trails of New Zealand
After hiking in over a dozen countries around the world, New Zealand is still my favorite place to grab my boots and hit the trails. Maybe it’s the backcountry huts, which are cozy and charming and often rich with history, or maybe it’s the sheer diversity of landscapes packed so close together. The views are always spectacular, and if I want to escape the crowds, it’s never … [Read more...]
Rēkohu – The Chatham Islands
Rēkohu (the Moriori name for the main island) is a world apart. A predominantly flat island, 860km east of Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. Recently four of our friends decided they must go. Here is a story from Charmaine and Tanya's recent visit.... In the midst of our house sorting and packing process, Tanya woke up one morning with a dream of … [Read more...]
Ubud Bali – Making the Most of a Day
By Featured Writer Courtney McCaffrey Female adventure traveler, writer, surfer A day is never enough time to spend in Ubud Bali. However, there are so many sites and adventures to cram into your Bali vacation, a day may be all you have to spend in the town littered with Hindu temples, traditional craft shops, juice bars, cheap (and quality) massages and some of Bali’s … [Read more...]
Queen Charlotte Sound by Water
You can explore the Queen Charlotte Sounds at the top of the South Island of New Zealand by foot, by mountain bike or by boat. Queen Charlotte Walkway is famous Stretching between the Queen Charlotte and Keneperu Sound. A 70km track renowned for its stunning views and contrasting landscape, historical landmarks and wonderful variety of native bush and wildlife. Last … [Read more...]
Blenheim – a great biking town
We are staying in a cabin at the Top 10 Holiday Park on the edge of Blenheim, central, clean and friendly. This is definitely a great biking town We have brought our bikes along, but we could have hired them here or several of the bike shops in town. We quickly discover the trails beside the river which go for miles on both sides, for some of the time alongside a small … [Read more...]
Wine – Organic and Marlborough
We have often enjoyed Peter Yealands Wine and heard that it was organic and sustainably produced, so the chance to visit the Vineyard was too good to pass up on our way north to Blenheim We turned off towards the coast from Seddon, the sun was low in the west casting a beautiful glow over the rows of vines in their autumn glory – yet to be pruned, their leaves reflected the … [Read more...]
Westport – Foulwind, Fritters and Seals
North of Punakaiki you drive into the small settlement of Charleston and you can not miss a huge four story concrete building. First question - what is it? As we drive closer we see an open cafe sign, so seems a good excuse to stop. We have found Underworld Adventures and Cafe. A business that has been going for 20 years and has just invested in this amazing building. It … [Read more...]
Punakaiki – One of the Jewels of the West Coast
I have lived in NZ 40 years and have never been here, so it is a real treat - there are not many corners of New Zealand I have not explored. We have some Pancake Rock formations at Waipu in Northland which are pretty special and one of my favourite places. But they do not compare to the towering cliffs of limestone and wild west coast scenery here at Punakaiki. We are … [Read more...]
Kumara – A Warm Welcome at The Cyclist’s Rest
Our host Mandi used to live in Christchurch, but she is now a West Coaster through and through. They built their home here on the outskirts of Kumara 14 years ago, and the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail runs past their property. So they have renovated some of the buildings and made room for the strangers who cycle past - appropriately named "The Cyclists Rest" Kumara … [Read more...]