We have arrived for our last night on the Banks Peninsula Track- tonight we are in Otanerito Bay. The walkers have done another relatively short (6km) coastal walk. The latte ladies have been back to Akaroa for, of course, a latte. We have to line up with the hundreds of milling visitors of one of the many cruise ships that visit Akaroa at this time of year. These … [Read more...]
Stony Bay Opatuti – our third night on the Banks Peninsula Track
The walkers have a shorter trip today - 8kms up and down along the coast, past Seal Cove - though every cove has seals on this coast. Arriving at Stony Bay is like we have stepped into a kind of hobbiton - funky small buildings placed in beautiful gardens. There is a pool table with paint pots to catch the balls, two fire baths to relax after the day, a fire pit to gather … [Read more...]
Flea Bay – Pohatu – The Second Night
A 4-6 hour walk from 200m to 699m and back down to sea level is the first day of walking on the Banks Peninsula Track. It is a misty day - so not too hot for walking, but the views are not so expansive over Akaroa harbour, though the cloud lifts enough to see out to the Akaroa Harbour entrance. A lunch shelter at the top of the ridge provides shelter and a gathering point … [Read more...]
Guides for your Travel on the Silk Road
Silk Road Adventures are based in Greymouth in the South Island of New Zealand, and for years they have been leading tours in every corner of the Silk Road. Recently they have branched out and are supporting self-drive touring arrangements. At one point we had 55 travellers motoring their way accross various parts of Asia on a variety of enterprises in vehicles that were … [Read more...]
The Tree House, Kohukohu
KohuKohu is on the North side of the Hokianga Harbour. It is a wonderful off the beaten track place to stay. A regular car ferry connects Kohukohu to Rawene on the other side of the harbour. Phil and Pauline Evans and their extended family have made their home on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour since 1981. They did not intend to start a backpackers, but being 2 kms … [Read more...]
Oak and Puriri – a tale of more than trees at Waimate North
A Tale of Two Peoples I have driven past the turn off to Waimate North countless times, and thought one day I will drive down that road. Today was the day. We are on our way to the Hokianga in Northland for a few days, so it seems the perfect time to make a detour, as we are staying for two days on the north side of the Hokianga Harbour. MAP Waimate North is the only … [Read more...]
Best Pizza In New Zealand
It is Official Kevin from Dante's Pizzeria in the lane at Ponsonby Central makes the best Margherita Pizza in New Zealand. Ponsonby Central and it's group of funky shops is one of my favourite shops on what is definately my favourite road in Auckland. Dante's Pizza is authentic Napolese Pizza - it is the first pizzeria in New Zealand to receive membership into the … [Read more...]
White and Windy – Bird Watching at Muriwai –
https://www.womentravelnz.com/bird-watching-muriwai/(opens in a new tab) It had been some time since I had taken the drive out to Muriwai on the west coast of Auckland, one day in November a friend visiting Auckland for an ecology conference was just the excuse I needed. I was reading a lot about birdwatching on learnbirdwatching.com and this was a too good a chance to miss … [Read more...]
Hopping a Ferry from Lyttleton to Diamond Harbour
Hard frost, blue skies, Lyttelton market and a ferry crossing to Diamond Harbour, followed by good coffee and a walk around cliff edges watching birds and boats (and yes fresh fish off the boat as it came in). That was Cynthia’s take on the day on Facebook, and it’s a great summary of yesterdays Christchurch excersion. We had decided on a trip to Diamond Harbour as it is … [Read more...]
Pull over! The Kaikoura Coast is worth it!
How many times are you on a road trip, and you think – I really should pull over and spend some time here. We were driving to Blenheim to Christchurch - a four and a half hour drive, that demands at least one stop. Luckily we fit in five and each time it was worth it. The drive alone is spectacular - following this rocky coastline with Mountains towering above us and the … [Read more...]