The peaks of the Coromandel

A few hundred steps, rivers, swing bridges, logs, huts, metal ladders, rain forest and rugged rocks is what a short adventure up the Pinnacle’s offers. This place is an untapped kiwi gem in the heard of the Coromandel forest. After driving to the end of Kauaeranga Roadend you can spend one rather energetic day or a couple of more relaxing, yet still very energetic days climbing to the gorgeous Pinnacle peak.

 About to begin the walk from the Kauaeranga Roadend

 Great place to stay or stop and refuel!

 

    On our way up…..

 

Incredible 360 degree views – the climb is worth every step for these breath taking shots:

  

From Auckland, you can be there within 2 hours of driving, a 4+ hour walk to the top and then the short drive home.

Accessible to all adventures, weekend warriors or one off explorers.

Get out there and enjoy the gorgeous kiwi back yard!

 

Driving …not flying!

The North Island offers NZ beauty with a different palate to the South Island, it demonstrates rugged and random mountains, long dusty roads, brown fields and much more.

Our quick trip from Wellington to Auckland, via Lake Taupo offered some breath taking scenery, opportunity for adventure, friends and tranquility. If you have the time, drive! With options for all accommodation, activity and amusement budgets, travelling throughout either island is not only beautiful, but offers an opportunity to create lasting memories on your back door step.

The pictures below offer a small insight to some of the scenery we were lucky enough to take in:

Leaving the sounds on our way to Picton

  

Passing the rugged mountain of the North Island

  

The Vast Lake Taupo

 

Adventures on the lake

Heading back to Auckland, through a variety of conditions

 

Keep enjoying your backyard.. until next time adventurers

Queenstown – Awakening the tastebuds

Arriving at 9am to a slightly blistery day, snow, typical icey south cold and the promise of some fresh powder. It was the ‘boys’ birthday, so typically the day was centred around some fun and surprises for him. The city is a lovely place to relax, with lots of cafes / bars to warm up in, shops to buy clothing to warm up in or epic views to take your breath away. After weighing up our options, it is cheaper for us to hire a car for 5 days, than paying taxi (we stay 10mins out of the city) prices, ski transport prices and bus prices. It also gives us the freedom to explore the area even more! We checked in to our lovely hotel (Goldridge Resort) Which includes Breakie, a great way to save both money and time. Then we headed back into the city for birthday drink and then a romantic suprise… The Ice bar – did you know there are two? Zero bar is tucked away in the heart of the city (near starbucks) and the other at the bottom of the city. Of course it is nice and cool standing on ice, sitting on ice, drinking from an ice glass (which you get to smash)…but when you vacate the building the queenstown air, doesn’t feel so fresh. Finally, we meet at ‘The Station’ and grabbed the free shuttle to Onsen Hot Pools – an incredible little set up in the depths of the Shot Over River. This place caters for the uber romantics or for those just wanting to heat up….But, please for two seconds picture yourself sitting in a spa pool, with champagne, candles and a retracting roof that opens up the sky – an amazing way to finish a great start to our holiday in the beautiful south. Tomorrow brings a car, wineries, Cromwell’s famous bacon butty (dad I’ll have one for you), Wanaka, Cadrona hotel and maybe a few other things along the way!! Until tomorrow’s footsteps…..

Plunging into the South

Queenstown – the most picturess city I have ever had the luck of being in. Mountains, a lake, adventures in every direction, yummy food and don’t forget it has character, energy and excitement to make anyone fall in love!

The blogs over the next 5days follow my foot steps and thoughts of exploring Queenstown. Of course I can not do it all, but some of the exciting things my partner and I come across may be of interest to other city explorers.

FYI – we are kiwis exploring our own country and we love this place and what you can do, see and enjoy !! Whether it’s in the wilderness, in the centre of Auckland’s CBD, relaxing on a beach, running some trails or tucked in a remote cafe – exploring your backyard should be just as important as heading overseas!!

EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD