“Niue has the clearest waters that I have seen” - so said one of the divers we met. The visibility is simply stunning. One of the reasons is that there are no rivers on Niue, it is just one giant rock that the water seeps through and is held in the rock. Perfect for snorkelling, diving, watching whales and swimming with whales. My girlfriend Cynthia and I decided we needed … [Read more...]
Curling in and out in Naseby
Naseby in the hills of Central Otago was the sight of one of the area’s significant gold mining operations in the mid 19th century. In the winter not much mining could be done, and the Scottish goldminers introduced Curling to the Maniototo in 1878, making it one of the oldest winter sporting activities in New Zealand. The building of an international Olympic standard all … [Read more...]
Ranfurly – the Centre of the Otago Rail Trail
Ranfurly is one of the larger villages in Central Otago. Once the gold boom slowed down in Naseby and the rail came through, Ranfurly soon became the main centre of the area. there is an excellent information centre (at the old Railway station) and amazing A'Deco buildings, and of course a pub! It will be our base for exploring Central Otago - staying at Hawkdun Lodge and … [Read more...]
Forget Fishing – we have Gone Curling
In Northland the sign would read “Gone Fishing”. In the coldest part of mid winter in Central Otago the sign reads “Gone Curling” - when the weather is right, everything stops. Gone Curling is a documentary directed by Rachel Patching and Roland Kahurangi. Thanks to our sponsorship of the Documentary via the PledgeMe website, and with the support of more sponsors from Central … [Read more...]
Wild Footprints it is!
Helen Walker run's Wild Footprints in the Abel Tasman and organises Ultimate Women's Wild Weekends, here is how she started: That's it! 'Wild Footprint's' I shouted My students at the time must of thought me a little crazy. While they were feeling challenged trying to navigate their way through thick Marlborough bush, I was to them merrily wandering along like I was … [Read more...]
Winter on the Central Otago Rail Trail
Women’s Adventures NZ organised this tour Over Queen’s birthday weekend - June 2012 Auckland based Debbie Goldingham writes of her trip with 8 other women on the Otago Rail Trail. We all met at Queenstown airport and were picked up in a shuttle van by Steve from Shebikeshebikes and taken to our accommodation in Clyde. A very cold frosty foggy morning greeted us on our first … [Read more...]
Gay Ski Week in Queenstown
Gay Ski Week is held all around the world and are enjoyed by so many people. Why not join in on New Zealands annual event in wonderful Queenstown, New Zealand? This is your chance 2012 dates 25 August - 1 September … [Read more...]
Eco-luxury in the wilderness – Small packs and sunny weather
For many, tramping in New Zealand conjures up images of red checked Swandris, muddy boots and a great deal of grunt. While hiking, an American term that is rapidly gaining a foothold in the kiwi vernacular, paints a far more attractive image. It suggests small packs, bear bells and sunny weather. But these are blessed times when the best of tramping in New Zealand (the bush, … [Read more...]
On the Way to Paradise and Glenorchy from Queenstown
Paradise - what a great name for a place, and what a great place, if you love natural beauty in a landscape which draws you deeper. First Find Glenorchy You can drive to Paradise in a couple of hours from Queenstown, cruising along a smooth road beside Lake Wakatipu. You can stop at all the scenic spots for shots of the Remarkables looming over the expansive water, before … [Read more...]
Christchurch, to go or not to go, that is the question
I went to school in Christchurch, raised my children there, and taught at an inner city school. I had not been back since the earthquakes, but the time had come. From the plane window I searched the landscape for broken bits of land, but could see nothing. On the drive from the airport I saw the occasional empty chimney space, the odd fenced off house, a few strips of … [Read more...]