The Le Bons Bay Picnic Le Bons Bay is a tiny beach and farming community on the Banks Peninsula. Sleepy is a great way to describe it, apart from New Years Day when suddenly cars arrive from all over the Peninsula, converging on the Domain for the annual Le Bons Bay Picnic. Starting at 1pm in the afternoon, there is time to recover from New Year … [Read more...]
Rēkohu – The Chatham Islands
Rēkohu (the Moriori name for the main island) is a world apart. A predominantly flat island, 860km east of Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. Recently four of our friends decided they must go. Here is a story from Charmaine and Tanya's recent visit.... In the midst of our house sorting and packing process, Tanya woke up one morning with a dream of … [Read more...]
Stay like a Kiwi – Okarito Accommodation
Okarito is just north of Franz Josef on the West Coast of New Zealand. These days it is a sleepy seaside village with just 35 permanent inhabitants. It has known former life as a key area for Maori food gathering, and in 1866 it had 1500 residents during the height of the gold rush.It is the largest unmodified wetland in New Zealand, and a spectacular inland … [Read more...]
Okarito and the White Herons in Spring
Okarito is on the West Coast of the South Island, south of Hokitika and just north of Franz Josef. It is the home of the beautiful Kotuku - white heron, and we are off there for a few days to see the have a break, see the herons and have a kayak. Want to know where to stay at Okarito? Find out here Okarito Lagoon is the largest unmodified wetland in New … [Read more...]
Dismal Day in Dunedin – there is still lots to do and see
A drive out on the Otago Peninsula is a must on any visit to Dunedin, and the weather should not put you off. Today is cold misty day, cloud wrapping low over the hills. It is moody and brooding, a day when views are glimpsed through breaks in the cloud. I decide to take the road along the tops, and am treated by glimpses of quiet bays on the harbour side peaking … [Read more...]
Exploring Queenstown’s Top Attractions
Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the banks of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by mountains, making this spot a premier vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts. This lake and alpine resort offers an array of adventures, whether you want to head out on the water, hit the slopes, or simply take in the natural beauty of the area. So, line up your Apollo campervan hire, and … [Read more...]
Kaikoura is back in Action and the Mediterranean Motel Kaikoura is the Place to Stay
Did the earth move for you? Just after midnight on the 14th November 2016 I was asleep 180 kms south of Kaikoura in Christchurch. Christchurch is used to earthquakes, but when we woke at this one, and it went on and on, we knew it was serious. We live by the coast and along with our neighbours and after some initial confusion, we jumped in our cars and … [Read more...]
Adventurous Women Guides help you Explore the Canyons of Wanaka
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...]
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...]