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...]
Kakahi – Taumarunui Accommodation – stay off the beaten Track in New Zealand
The Women Travel Accommodation Network has women owned and run accommodation - providing accommodation in some very special and sometimes out of the way places in New Zealand and around the world. See listings here The latest listing in NZ is Kakahi Adventure Lodge - here is a little more of their story. Maxine Arden left her corporate Auckland job and embraced a life of … [Read more...]
Unfinished Business – Trout Fishing on the Tongariro River
Guest post from AWOL - Adventurous Women on the Loose When we signed up for our trout fishing adventure on the Tongariro River we had no idea that the most adventuresome part would be getting there! To reach our fishing spot we had to cross a fast flowing section of the river complete with slimy rocks and a strong waist high current. Despite using the proper 'linked arms' … [Read more...]
Four US Gals Go Wild in New Zealand
by Nili Steiner, Los Angeles “So, how was your adventure trip in New Zealand, Cori?” I asked our friend after our usual warm greetings. We couldn’t quite believe the superlatives that were streaming out of her mouth about the place. Finally she said, “You’ve just GOT to go there”. And so, 15 months later three sporty firefighters and a precious nurse (me) from Los Angeles, … [Read more...]
Turangi – Autumn leaves, sparkling rivers, hot pools…
We met under the glowing autumn oak - my friend from Wellington and me from Cambridge. The oak tree was in Turangi, beside Lake Taupo, halfway between us, and what great place to spend a night and a day. … [Read more...]
The Forgotten World Highway
Four saddles, four volcanoes and about four people, in the middle of the North Island... This highway is so forgotten that I had heard of it only recently- and I thought I knew my own country!. You start from the plains of Stratford, in Taranaki, rise gently through gorgeous green dairy farms, then head through steep mountains and dramatic saddles. On a clear day you can … [Read more...]
A short trip to Rotorua and Whakatane – The Bay of Plenty
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