Waimangu Volcanic Valley (New Zealand) draws visitors from all corners of the earth. Photographers come for the colours, tourists for the uniqueness, hikers for nature, and scientists to study the world’s youngest geothermal system. It’s a virtually untouched, ever-changing landscape that was created in just four hours in 1886. The eruption of Mt Tarawera created […]
Hamilton Gardens and Rocky Horror: A Contrast in Hamilton NZ
The reality is as much of a contrast as the title. On one end of town, a serene, internationally acclaimed, well-manicured series of themed gardens each telling a story of a different civilization. To be honest, the Hamilton Gardens caught me by surprise, far exceeding my expectations. In sharp contrast stands the Riff-Raff statue where […]
What to Do in Rotorua New Zealand: A First Timer’s Guide
Rotorua is like nowhere else. Situated near the centre of New Zealand’s North Island, it’s a geothermal wonderland, a playground for adventure seekers, an opportunity for cultural understanding, and a place to relax and heal. Our recent visit shattered my misconception of Rotorua as an overpriced tourist town. What I found was a paradise that left me […]
Wai-O-Tapu: A Photo Review of Geothermal Rotorua New Zealand
Wai-O-Tapu translates to sacred waters, and even without knowing any legends or understanding the science, I was captivated. It’s a surreal, mystical place enhanced by rising steam and nature’s dreamlike palette of colours. Check out the photos below and you will know that Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a must see if you are visiting geothermal […]
Stonehenge Aotearoa: New Zealand’s Powerful Stone Circle
About 11 kilometres off the main road stands Stonehenge Aotearoa, a stone circle so powerful it calls to nearly everyone. Stone circles date back to the Mesopotamians, nearly 2000 years before Jericho. Stonehenge Aotearoa is New Zealand’s stone circle. A henge is a stone circle with lintels (blocks that are supported by something). Aotearoa is […]
Enjoy Napier Art Deco Buildings with a Walking Tour
It doesn’t take long to appreciate why Napier New Zealand is the Art Deco Capital of the World. Simply taking a walk down the main road, we found ourselves surrounded by fun and funky examples of Art Deco. There are 140 Art Deco buildings, doors, sculptures, and more in this town. Napier is one of a […]
24 Unique and Fun Things to Do in Napier New Zealand
Napier is best known as the Art Deco Capital of the world, but this offbeat New Zealand town has a lot more to offer. From Māori and European history to wine tasting or adventure, there are plenty of novel and fun things to do in Napier and the surrounding Hawke’s Bay region. To understand Napier, you need […]
Karangahake Gorge Walks: Windows out of Old Gold Mines
Karangahake Gorge is an odd mix of remnant goldfields and nature’s majesty. Once the site of New Zealand’s most lucrative gold strike, it is now a recreation and impressive hiking destination. Swing bridges, gold mine shafts, a historic cyanide treatment plant, and lush green forest led us to the gorge, a jaw-droppingly beautiful site. The Karangahake Gorge Historic […]
Kiwifruit Country: Tour a Kiwifruit Orchard in New Zealand
Kiwifruit Country produces a classic New Zealand icon, the kiwi fruit. And not just a few, they grow 1,500 tonnes annually. That’s a lot of fruit, especially when you think that each piece is handpicked. We toured their kiwifruit orchard just days before the start of the annual ten-week picking season. The fruit on the vines was […]
East Cape NZ Driving Itinerary: Gisborne to Opotiki
Along the east coast of the North Island, and often overlooked by tourists, East Cape NZ juts out into the ocean. A piece of real New Zealand, East Cape is nature, history, and culture. The dramatic coastal drive from Gisborne to Opotiki is 334 kilometres, a 5.5-hour drive over mostly paved roads. It can easily be […]
Quinn’s Post Joins Two Powerful War Exhibits in Wellington NZ
The recently opened Quinn’s Post Trench Experience is Sir Peter Jackson’s latest addition to World War I history in Wellington New Zealand. The experience at the Great War Exhibition is a one of a kind. “It takes Peter Jackson’s creativity to pull this together,” according to the museum’s general manager. Quinn’s Post is one of now […]
One Tree Hill an Auckland Icon, but Where’s the Tree?
As you reach the top of Maungakiekie, more commonly known as One Tree Hill, the first and most obvious question is, “Where is the tree?” That won’t be your question for long, as newly planted trees are continuing to grow. Interesting History of One Tree Hill (and the missing tree) Located adjacent to beautiful Cornwall […]
39 Things to Do in Christchurch Five Years After The Quakes – Should I Visit?
Christchurch New Zealand is a blank canvas, a vibrant and dynamic garden city taking full advantage of the opportunity to reinvent itself. I was apprehensive about our recent visit. My fond memories of this elegant city were just that, memories. In 2010 and 2011, two significant Christchurch earthquakes devastated portions of the city, and I […]
Auckland to Cape Reinga: New Zealand Road Trip Tips
The northern edge of New Zealand welcomes visitors with endless coastlines, deep blue seas, giant sand dunes, ancient Kauri forests, white sand beaches, and some of the best fish and chips in the country. It’s a New Zealand road trip filled with unusual natural history and cultural folklore. This flexible New Zealand itinerary from Auckland […]
Enjoy the Christchurch Botanic Gardens by Punting on the Avon
A gentle breeze wafted the fragrant aroma of azaleas our way and drew us into the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. We walked through, on our way to our real adventure, punting on the Avon River. Normally, an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, today the tranquil gardens are also an escape from the […]
Things to Do in Oamaru: New Zealand’s Steampunk Capital
As if stepping out of a time machine, we entered the Oamaru Victorian Precinct, and it was 1870. Not literally, but there is an overriding feeling that this is a town Father Time forgot. From the Victorian architecture to the steampunk ambience, there are plenty of things to do in Oamaru. We had arrived late […]
Polynesian Outrigger Canoes Close Up: Auckland Maritime Museum
It was only 1,000 years ago that New Zealand was discovered by Kupe, according to Maori legend. Kupe sailed to Aotearoa (New Zealand) from Hawaiki, the traditional homeland of the Maori people. While no one today knows the exact location of Hawaiki, it is believed to be somewhere in Polynesia. What we do know is […]
KeriKeri Mission Station: Home of New Zealand’s Oldest Buildings
Established in 1819, the Kerikeri Mission Station is home to two of New Zealand’s oldest buildings and offers an interesting bit of the country’s history. It was built 22 years before the Treaty of Waitangi established the relationship between Britain and the indigenous Māori people. Europeans were arriving in increasing numbers, and there was tribal fighting […]
MOTAT Live Day: Where Else Can You Ride in an APC?
Sometimes it is the unexpected that turns out to be the most fun. We headed up to MOTAT to see the da Vinci Machines exhibit, and our timing worked out that it was also a MOTAT Live Day, a family friendly event bringing the Museum of Transport and Technology to life. For us, it was an […]
Waka Taua (War Canoes) at Waitangi Treaty Grounds in New Zealand
Walking towards the waka house, we listened as our guide brilliantly narrated New Zealand’s history. While many say it was discovered by Dutchman Abel Tasman in 1642, the reality is that the Maori people had arrived 650 years earlier. With only 1000 years of history, New Zealand is one of the world’s youngest nations. Our guide told a version of the story I […]
New Zealand History Comes Alive at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Waitangi Treaty Grounds is probably the most historic and significant site in New Zealand. Only three hours north of Auckland, it should be a required visit for anyone who wants to understand this great nation. Once you arrive, take the tour and experience the cultural show. This was my third visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds since we […]
Wellington’s St Paul Cathedral: Gothic Revival vs Modern
Old St Paul Cathedral in Wellington caught me by surprise. The streets of New Zealand’s capital reflect an active, upbeat, modern city. The general architecture styles are eclectic, contemporary and interesting. Then there is old St Paul Cathedral. Built entirely of native timber, this 19th-century gothic-revival masterpiece is well worth a visit. The high, vaulted […]
Gumdiggers Park: A New Zealand Wonder Worth Visiting
Gumdiggers Park is an authentic piece of New Zealand history. It takes about an hour to explore and is a worthwhile stop if you’re driving up the Aupouri Peninsula to the top of the North Island. It is home to the oldest non-fossilized wood found on earth. I’ll be honest, when we first saw Gumdiggers Park on the […]
Aviation Display Hall of MOTAT Brings NZ History Alive
Airplanes never did it for me before I visited the Aviation Display Hall of Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) this week. The aviation display hall brings history alive, often through recorded stories from the actual pilots. The planes are the real thing, refurbished to the point that most can fly. Today, the display […]
War Memorial: 100th ANZAC Day in Auckland
The Auckland War Memorial Museum came alive this weekend as Saturday was ANZAC Day. This year’s dawn parade was a solemn and moving ceremony. It marks the 100th anniversary of the WWI landing in Gallipoli and the ensuing battle, which ended badly for the ANZACs. ANZAC is an acronym for Australia New Zealand Army Corps. […]
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