After hiking in over a dozen countries around the world, New Zealand is still my favorite place to grab my boots and hit the trails. Maybe it’s the backcountry huts, which are cozy and charming and often rich with history, or maybe it’s the sheer diversity of landscapes packed so close together. The views are always spectacular, and if I want to escape the crowds, it’s never … [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...]
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...]
Walking on Mt Pirongia – you can do it hard, or easy…
Mt Pirongia is a landmark in the Waikato region, just 25 kms from Hamilton. It stands proudly with its bush clad slopes rising from the surrounding farmland, it is one of the largest native bush areas left in the Waikato. It has been on my list to visit for many years, and today was the day. There are a variety of walks from one hour to 11 hours - there is a hut near the top … [Read more...]
Exploring the Waikato – My top Six Picks
Hamilton is the centre of the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. The connecting thread in this area is the mighty Waikato River and Tainui - the Maori who belong to this land. I am living here at present, so I am getting the chance to explore the area. While it is not the tourism capital of New Zealand, it has lots of areas worth exploring, including fabulous … [Read more...]
Eco-luxury in the wilderness – Small packs and sunny weather
For many, tramping in New Zealand conjures up images of red checked Swandris, muddy boots and a great deal of grunt. While hiking, an American term that is rapidly gaining a foothold in the kiwi vernacular, paints a far more attractive image. It suggests small packs, bear bells and sunny weather. But these are blessed times when the best of tramping in New Zealand (the bush, … [Read more...]
Women on the Wild West Coast of Auckland
Lynx lives on Auckland's beautiful and rugged West Coast and decided it was time to share it magic with other women travelers. She has set up a small tour company to introduce women travellers to the place she calls home. Info here When I first came to New Zealand 35 years ago I was taken out to Te Henga on Auckland's west coast. As a girl from Sydney I had never seen the … [Read more...]
Whangarei Heads – magical playground in Northland
Whangarei Heads is east of Whangarei in Northland. From my home in Waipu I look across to Whangarei Heads - It is a magical place, and for the last 20 years I have camped there with friends. It is a peninsula - you don't go through there to get anywhere else - so only those who want to go are there. We camp on private land - an organic dairy farm near Ocean Beach. It is … [Read more...]