Author: Toni

Estimated Reading Time: < 1 minuteChecking into a motel yesterday had been a smart move, it absolutely chucked it down with rain all night. We had a lazy morning before driving for 3 hours to Napier, the Art Deco capital of the world. When we arrived it was raining on and off but at least it wasn’t a downpour anymore….

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutesThe clouds were starting to build so no more beach time for us. Breakfast was muffins and coffee with the Maunganui ladies that hike and brunch before leaving this lovely town behind for a 3 hour drive to Gisborne. Lovely scenery for the whole drive but what else is new? As we got closer to…

Estimated Reading Time: < 1 minuteSince Mount Manguanui won us over yesterday and the forecast was for a gloriously sunny day with rain to follow the rest of the week, we decided to stay put and enjoy all that this place has to offer. We wandered through town for a couple of hours after breakfast and Mike managed to talk…

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutesHi ho Hi ho, it’s off to Hobbiton we go! The drive out to Alexander Farm where the set is located was picture perfect with rolling green hills and grazing cattle and sheep, it’s easy to see why this area was chosen. The farm itself is 1,200 acres and is still a working farm, the…

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutesHoly cow what a day and I’ve got the bruises to prove it! We had a leisurely and extremely pleasant breakfast at Ciabatta Cafe in an unexpected location on an industrial estate. My breakfast was a little lambie breakfast sandwich, I always think that having lamb for breakfast bodes well for the day ahead! We…

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutesA much needed day of considerable rest. We departed Taupo fairly early because the town was ramping up for Iron Man this weekend and we wanted to get out before they started closing roads and diverting traffic. On our short drive from Taupo to Rotorua we stopped off for a 2 hour hike to Huka…

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutesThis is IT. Tongariro Crossing day! 12 miles and 3,300 of elevation gain await us. We’ve wanted to do this hike for so long! The alarm went off at 5:30 am. A nutritious breakfast of milk and hot cross buns before jumping on the shuttle bus to the trailhead. The hotel and shuttle was run…

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes3 hours after walking into the rafting company at Waitomo we were on our way to Tongariro National Park and the much awaited Tongariro Crossing. The Crossing is one of the most popular day hikes in New Zealand and with good reason, it is stunning. We weren’t able to do it in 2001 (again because…

Estimated Reading Time: < 1 minuteIt would have been hard to leave the Coromandel today but there was some weather coming in and as the clouds gathered it made it easier to say our goodbyes. Another stunningly scenic drive, this time to Waitomo, land of the underwater caves and home to black water rafting. We walked into the rafting company…

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutesLast time we were here it was chucking it down with rain and we didn’t even attempt going beyond the car park at Cathedral Cove. Since then we’ve seen photos and articles and felt cheated that we missed out. But today, 15 years later, the skies are clear and Cathedral Cove gave us a second…