Travel ideas for the South Island of New Zealand
As promised, here begins my day-by-day account of tramping (the New Zealand world for hiking) the world’s finest hike: the Milford Track in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park. Day one involves only five kilometres of walking between Glade Wharf and Clinton Hut, which takes approximately one hour. Day One starts with the 1pm […]
I can now agree wholeheartedly with those who rate the Milford Track as the finest hike in the world. It is beautiful. So beautiful. It is also a nicely balanced walk, with a slow build up to the big day crossing the pass and then a gentle finish. Fiordland National […]
I did it! I hiked the Milford Track, rated by many as the finest hike in the world. After all my concerns about hiking in New Zealand, particularly that I would struggle with carrying a pack it was just fine. I felt strong and coped well with the physical challenges […]
Last week I wrote about my experience hiking the spectacular Rees-Dart Track in New Zealand. Despite the gorgeous alpine scenery, I finished this hike feeling like I never wanted to do another long walk again. I was exhausted physically and mentally, convinced I was the world’s worst hiker. With the […]
This is the story of my first big multi-day hike in New Zealand. The Rees-Dart is a four-day hike in the South Island of New Zealand, mostly in the Mount Aspiring National Park. This hike does boast stunning alpine scenery but it was a challenging and not entirely positive experience. […]
Sitting out front at the pub the road steams slightly in the sun after the rain. I can smell citronella and bright petunias are waving their heads behind me. The Paparoas are appearing and disappearing in the mist surrounding the ‘town’. A black and brown dog who never tires of begging […]
If you have travelled in New Zealand you may well have visited the West Coast glaciers. Done a glacier walk perhaps. Maybe even taken a helicopter ride up to walk higher on a glacier (if you’re rich). Well I have done that touristy stuff but this is the story of […]
I recently visited the South Island of New Zealand again and experienced for the third time what must be one of New Zealand’s most spectacular driving routes – the road from Wanaka to Christchurch. The little lake-side holiday town of Wanaka is one of my favourite places in New Zealand […]