After the majesty and grandeur of the south island’s west coast, the east coast runs the risk of being, well, slightly less mind bogglingly spectacular. Luckily there is plenty to see and do on the road up the coast, starting with the Catlins. The Catlins are situated between Invercargill and Dunedin, the two main towns […]
Below you’ll find all our blog posts in chronological order of publishing. Looking for something specific? Try the search at the top of the screen, or head over to our destinations page to explore the world!
Milford Sound: Our Complete Guide to Visiting, Cruises and Day Trips
Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions, and for most people planning a south island trip, it’s the headline they’re trying to figure out how to actually do. This guide is here to help: when to go, how to get there, which cruise to book, and the bits the other guides […]
The ongoing quest for middle earth
I know I know. It’s starting to become a bit of an obsession. More so than the lighthouses. Even Vera is starting to think I’m getting a bit weird with all this Tolkien searching. But still. Since I’m in New Zealand, and I am a slight Lord of the Rings fan (addicted since I was […]
The Haast Pass and Mount Aspiring
Between the west coast of New Zealand’s south island and the rest of the isle there is a very large chain of mountains known as the southern alps. Getting through these mountains is only possible in a few places, via passes which have been hewn out of the mountains by the glaciers of the past. […]
Glacier Country in Photos
Ah Geography. I remember it well. Teachers with funky patches over their tweed jackets, rambling on about rocks and weather and the importance of using the correct map colouring-in implement. I knew that one day, all that important geography stuff would come in useful. And I am pleased to report, that that day has finally […]
Pancake Rocks and Possum Pie
The west coast of New Zealand’s south island is somewhat less inhabited than many other parts of these two isles, which has led to its locals having a somewhat more, shall we say, frontier approach to life. This is no bad thing. Surviving off the land is a noble effort. And in the case of […]
Arches and whitebait on the west coast
For regular readers, don’t panic, despite the title, there is a lighthouse featured later on in the post. However, today’s lighthouse tale is more of a side jaunt and less the main attraction – the cress as it were on the meat of today’s post sandwich. Because in this post I really want to talk […]
The sand and lighthouses of Golden Bay
Right at the tip of New Zealand’s South island sits the Golden Bay region: a remote and laid back area which is home to the quite remarkable Farewell Spit, a 26km long spit of sand that once stretched all the way across to the North Island. These days higher sea levels mean that such a […]
The Abel Tasman National Park
Situated near the top end of New Zealand’s south island, the Abel Tasman national park is home to stunning golden sand beaches, rugged cliffs, native bush and a whole bunch of seals who could do with a breath mint or three. It’s a hugely popular summer time destination for Kiwis and tourists alike, with many […]
Picton to Nelson with Queen Charlotte
Picton is the first place you come to on New Zealand’s south island, having been wowed by the rather awesome ferry crossing from Wellington. More on that ferry crossing, including some photos of our mill pond like crossing, can be found as part of a guest blog I did for Denise over at NZ Escapes, […]