This past week, I finally got the chance to experience Hobbiton, set on the Alexander sheep farm in Matamata. With two hobbit holes on Bagshot Row being opened to visitors in December 2023, we jumped at the chance to tag a movie set tour onto our conference getaway to the same location. We booked the […]
new zealand
TEKAPO, MOUNT COOK & GIBBSTON | 3 days in the South Island
What do you do in the peak of summer when you have a spare weekend and an adventurous Mum who has always wanted to visit Lake Tekapo? You plan a last minute road trip from Queenstown to Mackenzie Country! This was the best weather I have experienced in this region by far, so luck was […]
OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL | Cycling Clyde To Middlemarch
What better way to ring in the new year than with a 4-day cycle trip – sound familiar? Well that’s exactly what we did last year! With border closures and COVID restrictions foiling our Rail Trail plans last year, we postponed it to 2022/2023, and completed the West Coast Wilderness Trail over 2021/2022 instead. With […]
A WEEK IN TASMAN, NZ | Where to eat, stay and explore
So it’s officially autumn in New Zealand, but our trip to the Tasman region in late March let us hold onto summer just a little longer! The northwestern corner of the south island is dotted with beautiful beaches, ranging from idyllic golden bays to roaring ocean and windswept cliffs and islands. The region is also […]
A Northland Getaway | Te Whara Track, Mount Manaia, Matauri Bay
White sand beaches, towering peaks and idyllic bays dotted with boats. You would think that I’m talking about the much loved Greek Islands, but on the northern shores of Aotearoa lies our very own slice of sub-tropical paradise. The Northland district is rich in history, and boasts dense forests as well as beautiful beaches that […]
Black Barn Retreats & Vineyard | Hawkes Bay, NZ
On Valentines Day this year, Rich and I finally hosted a belated wedding dinner at Black Barn Bistro, and boy oh boy! What a picturesque setting to celebrate with family and friends. With the choice of drinks under a cooling canopy of vines, or basking in the the hot summer sun for the heliophiles amongst […]
Stunning Short & Half Day Hikes of Queenstown, NZ
So you’ve landed in glorious Queenstown and already itching to hit the trails? I’ve got you covered! From post-dinner strolls to steep climbs and amazing viewpoints, keep reading below for Central Otago’s best short and sweet hiking bangers. Moke Lake Lookout The 20 minute drive out to Moke Lake hugs Lake Wakatipu along the scenic […]
TE WEPU POD RETREATS | Banks Peninsula, NZ
With international travel currently being a thing of the past, the search for a unique New Zealand getaway brought me to the cozy pods of Te Wepu, based in French Farm of the Banks Peninsula. Having never experienced a glamping-style holiday before, this was the perfect introduction to camping with a bit of luxury, with […]
TUATAPERE HUMP RIDGE TRACK | FIORDLAND, NZ
Recently announced as the eleventh, New Zealand ‘Great Walks’ trail to be, the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track spans 61km across 2 nights and 3 days, showcasing the best of southern Fiordland. Being privately owned and operating through a partnership between the Tuatapere community and DOC, this track offers amenities and heli-hiking options that most DOC […]
KEPLER TRACK | New Zealand Hiking
If you’ve heard about the beauty of Central Otago and the wonder of Fiordland National Park, this 3 – 4 day tramp showcases the best of the region, from Lake Te Anau, to Mount Luxmore and down to the Iris Burn Valley. Day 1 Beginning at the Kepler Carpark (control gates), the first 90 minutes […]