Rakiura is the third main island of New Zealand - at the bottom of the South Island. An invitation to step back in time, to an ancient landscape where the forest and its wildlife is reclaiming the land and the 400 residents are largely left to hug the shoreline of the island’s eastern bays. It is summer time and we are some of the 400 visitors visiting Rakiura/Stewart … [Read more...]
On the Coastal Pacific to Blenheim for the weekend
Waiharakeke is the name for Blenheim and we have decided to do an overnight mid winter trip on the Coastal Pacific Train and take our ebikes. Loading our bikes on the train in Christchurch at 6.30am in the middle of winter was a stretch for this normally late riser. (You can leave your car at the station for free) But it was worth it. I dozed a little until the sun came … [Read more...]
Cycle Trails around Arrowtown – Magic to visit in Autumn
I am told Central Otago has weathered the Covid storm well, with strong support from kiwis who are thriving on exploring their own backyard. Campervans and caravans have been flying out the door. Out of school holidays, it is often the ‘Grey Nomads’ who are out and about, with electric bikes and the cycleways of Central Otago are a great attraction. As part of our … [Read more...]
10 Must dos in Te Anau – first stay longer
As the gateway to the New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, Te Anau is somewhere people usually pass through on their way to Milford Sound, or to do the Milford or Kepler Track. As part of our Covid driven local explorations, we have decided to stay four nights and explore. As we have started to find out – these ‘gateway’ places are magical in themselves, and well worth the … [Read more...]
Peel Forest – Ancient and Accessible Legacy
Peel Forest is somewhere we had talked about staying some time, now we have a caravan to aid our exploring of New Zealand. We have finally carved out some time for a visit. Peel Forest is at the foot of the Southern Alps - 23 kms north of Geraldine in South Canterbury, 140 kms from Christchurch. It is part of the Mt Peel/Waikari Hills Conservation Area, situated by the … [Read more...]
Cycling in Oamaru
We carry our Moustache electric bikes upfront on our caravan and we are keen to use them as much as possible. We decided to do do the last day of the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail – Duntroon to Oamaru. We drove to Duntroon and left the car there to be picked up tomorrow. Rail Journeys service this trail with accommodation, bag transport and bike hire if you do … [Read more...]
Secrets of North Canterbury – Camping at Gore Bay
In the end it was the Bellbirds that called us – they were cavorting noisily in the pohutukawa trees out to the corner of the flat paddock which was the Buxton campground at Gore Bay. Easy choice for our first night in our new caravan. The second campground was nearer the swimming end of the beach, has slightly more facilities, and looked out more on the beach, but … [Read more...]
Ruby Bay, Mapua and Cycling the Spooner Tunnel
Mapua and nearby Ruby Bay are favourite spots for us, and so after our stay at Elaine Bay in the Marlborough Sounds, we head drove to the Nelson area for a few days. I am sure Nelson city is a nice place, but getting through it and out the other side is not straightforward, and we were glad to eventually get past the traffic and out the other side. Driving along the … [Read more...]
Elaine Bay in the Marlborough Sounds
Perhaps as the crow flys it is not a long way, but once we turned off after Pelorus Bridge (great coffee, food and walks there) in the Rai Valley the road narrowed and snaked out along the ridge lines, we slowed down and were very grateful that we were not towing our new caravan – this would definitely be a challenging first tow, not a straight line in sight. The road … [Read more...]
Kimi Ora – an Eco Resort
Just before the Abel Tasman National Park at the top of the South Island of New Zealand is a popular beach - Kaiteretere. And nestled into the bush above the beach is a hidden Gem - The Kimi Ora Eco Resort. We have the rare treat of staying in the Yurt at this Resort - something you can not book into, but is occasionally available - and we are here for 4 magical days. … [Read more...]