In the world of adventure tourism, you’re likely to meet a number of colorful characters--guides who have traveled the world, worked on every continent, have multiple qualifications under their belts (er, harnesses), and can tell a great joke. Most likely, they’re males. The badass female guide is a rare but awesome encounter as women gain more footing in the adventure world, … [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...]
Devonport – just a ferry away from Auckland
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...]