Te Ara ahi cycle trail is 48kms long and can be done in 1-2 days, or you can do what we did and use it to access other trails or the city. From our base at Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park we hopped on the trail to Embark on a journey shaped by fire and culture on the earth's active crust which has been ripped apart and now gives glimpses into its belly at seven steaming … [Read more...]
Rotorua – cycling the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop
This ride is not for the faint hearted - it says it is Grade 2 with bits of Grade 3, I found it a challenge largely because it is a four hour ride, but there were lots of opportunities to get off the track and head home if it was too much. The Whakarewarewa Forest Loop is the newest of NZ's great rides (the app is a must for cycling in NZ). The Loop is a 33km circular, … [Read more...]
Cycling the Old Coach Road Ohakune
What do you associate with the words 'old coach road'? Showing my ignorance here, but I didn't think of cobbles! Lots of cobbles on this old coach road - not the smoothest ride and to think each stone was fashioned and laid by hand - wow! A wonderful historic ride over viaducts and through rainforest - towering ancient podocarps - always breathtaking in their beauty. Cynthia … [Read more...]
Cycle Wellington’s Rocky Shoreline
They say you can not beat Wellington on a good day. The heavy morning rain had cleared, the sea was flat, there was little wind. This 35 km ride is flat, on mostly quiet roads. Who would have guessed that so close to the heart of a great city like Wellington would be a coastal ride like this. Basically it takes you in a coastal circuit with Wellington Airport in the … [Read more...]
Te Awa River Ride
Cambridge is a good sized country town 20 minutes from Hamilton metropolis - we are here to see friends and to explore some of the Te Awa River Ride Waikato River Trails we have heard so much about. In between rides, we can explore the galleries, cafēs and antique shops that line the main street. Te Awa River ride towards Hamilton via the Velodrome An easy gentle ride to … [Read more...]
Toi Kari Women’s Retreat Raglan
Toi Kari Retreat is a boutique garden studio located near the peaceful waters’ edge in beautiful Lorenzen Bay New Zealand. Raglan is a small coastal town on the west coast of New Zealand, 2 hours south of Auckland, renowned for its surf, beaches, harbour, volcano, waterfall, great cafes, artisan shops, artists, health and wellbeing practitioners and sustainability. Long … [Read more...]
Womens Adventures NZ
Anyone who follows their Facebook page will know that women are raving about the trips they have done with Womens Adventures NZ Debbie Goldingham has built a fabulous network of women who love and adventure. Many trips are day trips from Auckland, so excellent for those who live there - canyoning, fishing kayaking... Don't feel left out if you do not live in … [Read more...]
The North Island of New Zealand – My Personal Favourites
When I told my well-traveled friends that I'd be pursuing an adventurous road trip around New Zealand's North Island, I received quite a few disappointed faces. “North? Why go North? All people ever talk about is the South Island!”. Don’t get me wrong – I was happy to have their input and wasn’t totally surprised by their reactions. The South Island, with its dramatic … [Read more...]
A Blissful Haven for travellers on the East Coast of New Zealand
North of Opotiki on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand is one of the world's most amazing road trips. It is Eastland - coastal highways that hug it's beautiful coastline, small villages, this is Maori country. Aruhe is a B&B and holiday home at Whanarua Bay, just north of Te Kaha, the latest listing on the Women's Accommodation Network. In New … [Read more...]
Coromandel B&B
Jill Kaeppeli has found a patch of paradise on the Coromandel Peninsula, and and is keen to share it with others at her Kaeppeli's B&B near Whitianga. Jill is a kiwi but also speaks Swiss-German - with a kiwi accent of course. Since 1994 she has welcomed guests to her BnB at Kuaotonu, north of Whitianga on the east coast of the Coromandel. Drive off the road and wind … [Read more...]