10 travel moments that restored our faith in humanity. Stories of kindness from life on the road.
All my friends are buying houses and having babies, yet I'm about to embark on my fourth big trip travelling. Here's how it feels to give it all up again to travel in your thirties.
The Mahinepua Walk is one of the best easy coastal walks in Northland. It’s not all flat, but the short climbs are rewarded by jaw-dropping views over golden and black sand beaches, distant islands and rugged headlands. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the walk including track conditions.
The Dukes Nose (Kairara Rock) Track has one of, if not, the best view in all of Northland. It has all the wow factor, with endless spectacular bays and headlands. It does involve a near vertical scramble but you’re assisted with a sturdy metal pole. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the trail, including track conditions and how hard that scramble really is.
The effort to reward ratio on the St Paul’s Rock Track has to be the best in all of Northland. This short walk in Whangaroa offers absolutely incredible views from the top and somehow remains blissfully uncrowded. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the walk, including difficulty and what the chains are like.
As soon as you set eyes on the craggy peaks of Mount Manaia you are going to want to climb it. The short hike is pretty steep but the effort to reward ratio is excellent, with stunning forest and fabulous views from the top. We’re sharing everything you need to know about climbing Mount Manaia including difficulty and track conditions.
The Tutukaka Lighthouse Walk offers incredible views from the top of the headland, as well as access to several sheltered coves for a dip. It’s a relatively easy walk, although it must be done at mid to low tide if you want to make it all the way to the lighthouse. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the walk including track conditions.
Taheke Falls is Northland’s highest and it’s a very pretty waterfall, but it’s the forest surrounding it that is unforgettable. With both wild and tropical vibes, as well as ancient Kauri trees, all accessed on one short easy loop trail, it’s a walk not to be missed. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the trail.
If you’re looking for a glow worm filled cave adventure without a guide, then Abbey Caves is the place to head. You won’t find walkways or lighting in these three undeveloped caves and that only adds to the fun. Come prepared to get wet and you’ll be rewarded with an incredible glow worm experience. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the caves including difficulty and conditions.
Oamaru is undoubtedly one of the best places in New Zealand to spot penguins in the wild. You can see both little blue penguins (Kororā) and yellow-eyed penguins (Hoiho) in the one area. We’re sharing everything you need to know about Oamaru’s penguins including which viewing area is best, whether the paid viewing is worth it, and where to see penguins without a tour.
Trotters Gorge is a beautiful forest with crystal clear creeks and a great view from the bluffs at the top of the Trotter Gorge Track. Come back at night and you will be treated to one of New Zealand’s most accessible glow worm colonies! We’re sharing everything you need to know about the gorge by day and by night.
The Roberts Point Track is one of the best hikes on the West Coast. The view of Franz Josef Glacier is phenomenal and there are several amazing swing bridges, and even a floating staircase. It does involve some scrambling and we detail that as well as everything else you need to know about difficulty and the terrain in this guide.
Lake Matheson is one of the most beautiful lakes in New Zealand. Time it right and you will be treated to a mirror image of Aoraki Mount Cook and the surrounding snow-capped peaks in the water. However, not all viewpoints are created equal and the reflection doesn’t always look like the pictures. We’re sharing everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to Lake Matheson.
Lake Hayes is gorgeous, surrounded by mountains and rolling hills. On a calm day the reflections in the water are a perfect mirror image of the landscape. As well as the full Lake Hayes Walkway, we’re sharing where to get the perfect reflections, how to find the picturesque wooden jetty and not one but two rope swings!
