Art Break Waihi is a Kiwi beach holiday experience over two days and take time to explore your artistic side. Encouragement and a stimulating environment by the sea help you to tap into your creativity. Waihi is a small settlement under two hours from Auckland on the east Coast. Here is a story of their beginnings... Heather and I became friends through working together … [Read more...]
Banks Peninsula Track
This 35 Km track was one of New Zealand's first private tracks, walked over 2 or 4 days it covers 35 Kms along the coastline of this long extinct volcano near Christchurch in the South Island. Maori arrived on this ancient weathered volcano with fire and adzes, dogs and rats and soon a third of the forest was gone. Early European settlers quickly cleared the rest of the land … [Read more...]
Onuku Farm Hostel – the first night
The Banks Peninsula Track bus picks us all up from outside the Old Post Office, packs are loaded up and we are given an introduction to the tramp before heading off to our first night. On the way we introduce ourselves to the other trampers, and read the booklet about how we are going to spend the next few days. All of us are kiwis, a family of four, a woman and her very fit … [Read more...]
Otanerito Bay and Hinewai – it is our last night on the Banks Peninsula Track
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...]
Find your way around New Zealand with AA Guides
AA stands for Automobile Association, it is a very trusted brand in New Zealand, with most New Zealanders belonging to it at some stage in their life. Apart from Roadside Assistance and insurance, they have some other excellent travel resources. AA is how New Zealanders travel.. AA Maps The maps are fantastic, and heaps better for New Zealand that Google Maps (in my … [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...]
Of Toilets and Trains – Visiting Kawakawa in the Bay of Islands
Toilet Stop at Kawakawa It is quiet on this mid winter day in Kawakawa. Originally famous for being the turn off to the Bay of Islands and for having a train run right down the middle of the main street. Now it is a stop in its own right with the world famous Hundertwasser Toilets - the only building designed by Frederick in the Southern Hemisphere. The first time I came … [Read more...]