Devonport is just a 12 minute Ferry ride (they run every half hour) from downtown Auckland, we often catch the Ferry and have coffee on the 'other side'. Until the Auckland Harbour Bridge was built, this was a backwater - a place for holidays and leisure pursuits. The remnants of this remain with some gorgeous old buildings in the main street and elegant older homes, now … [Read more...]
Walk and Kayak the Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman National Park is a the top of the South Island of New Zealand, and is one of New Zealand's Great Walks - renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-famous coast track. It is not a hard walk - perfect for beginners and children, and those who do not enjoy 'extreme' tramping. Perhaps the best thing from my perspective as a non walker … [Read more...]
Ghost Trail Place to Stay
The West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is a wonderful untamed wilderness area that offers something special to travelers. In the north-west corner of the coast you will find a new walking/cycling track called The Old Ghost Road. Nearby a perfect place to stay is New Creek Ferals. This Cosy bach is only 3 km from the Ghost trail, overlooks the Buller River sleeps 5 … [Read more...]
Staying in The Clarence Valley
Clarence is just north of Kaikoura at the top of the South Island. A group of us have decided to go rafting on the Clarence River, and since it is an early start, we decide to drive up the day before and stay overnight. We stayed at Ochiltree Retreat in the Clarence Valley A spacious character cottage set in a lovely garden – we all enjoyed the apples on the tree. Three … [Read more...]
Rafting the Clarence River
Rafting has been on my bucket list for ages – I am not that mobile on my legs, but love paddling, biking and swimming. The opportunity to raft the Clarence River in the South Island of New Zealand was definitely not something I wanted to resist. The Clarence River is just north of Kaikoura at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. We have opted for a 3 day/two night … [Read more...]
Drive East – Discover East Coast New Zealand
Eastland - State Highway 35 from Opotiki to Gisborne - One of the Worlds Great Coastal Journeys The first time I headed out from Opotiki on this road, it felt like another world. Here was New Zealand in a more raw and untouched state, where development seems to have passed it by, and left a world where Maori were at home, and I was a visitor - welcome, but a visitor. 30 … [Read more...]
Matakohe Limestone Island, Whangarei
Great half day out on the Whangarei Harbour on the MV Waipapa I have often looked out on Matakohe Limestone Island in Whangarei Harbour and thought I would love to go there. I had heard of the replanting work which began in 1990 when it was made a scenic reserve and the re-introduction of kiwi, lizards and other birds which now thrive in this predator free … [Read more...]
Helena Bay – Exploring the Coastline on the Back Road to Russell
NZ off the Beaten Track - Less than one hour north of Whangarei is the beautiful road that is the back road to Russell in the Bay of Islands. These days access to Russell is usually via the Opua car ferry. All very good for those for whom time is short. If you are the kind of people who are roaming New Zealand’s magnificent back country, where the locals holiday and play but … [Read more...]
Explore Devonport by Bicycle
Devonport Devonport is a short (15 minute) ferry ride from Downtown Auckland. It is a beautiful older established area of Auckland, cut off from development until the Harbour Bridge was build. Devonport forms a peninsula - on one side you see Auckland city and there are boats safely at anchor, on the other a string of beaches looking out on the more recent distinctive … [Read more...]
St Lukes Little Akaloa
The Banks Peninsula is made up of dozens of small bays formed by the lava flows from two extinct volcanoes. It is a very distinctive landscape, and is the backyard for many Christchurch residents, and a must visit for visitors to the region. Recently we stayed in Little Akaloa, one of these small bays around the Peninsula and had a simple kiwi Christmas. Nearby is a … [Read more...]