The Totara Flats Hut walk is a fun, challenging overnight walk in the Tartarua range. This walk is right next to the iconic Holdwsorth-Jumbo Loop and actually includes part of it. The Tartarua range, located close to Wellington, is full of walking tracks and is…
The Tutukaka Lighthouse walk is a fun short walk with fantastic views. This easy walk is a great way to enjoy the views of the area and get your heart pumping! I have visited the Tutukaka Coast area a few times and have always really…
Is that tree a Miro or matai? These two native New Zealand trees are similar looking, but here are some tips to help you tell them apart. New Zealand is home to a diverse and varied ecosystem. There are beautiful beaches, volcanoes, lakes, and a…
iNaturalist is a great, free tool to help you identify unknown plants or animals. This post explains what it is and how to use it. I love exploring New Zealand, especially visiting a new area I haven’t been to before and finding new species. The…
Here are 4 common New Zealand cicadas that you may see and likely hear during summer. These are just a few of the more than 40 species of cicada in the country. Well, we are at that time of year again when the bush is…
These 7 best Egmont National Park day walks include the famed Pouakai Crossing. They are a great way to get the full Taranaki experience. I have spent a lot of time exploring the trails around Mt. Taranaki since it is the closest mountain to where…
The Round the Mountain Track is a classic walk that circumnavigates Mt. Ruapheu. This multi-day walk has waterfalls, snow capped peaks, native forest, open tussock, and varied volcanic landscapes. Although I’ve spent a lot of time in the Mt. Ruapehu area I had not yet…
The Lake Surprise Walk is an uncrowded, fun alpine walk on Mt. Ruapheu. The panoramic views and waterfalls along this walk are awesome. My first explorations of Mt. Ruapehu were always during the winter to go snowboarding. Since those first trips I’ve been back several…
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a lovely great walk in New Zealand. Here is an overview of this magnificent walk. New Zealand’s great walks offer a wide range of experiences, from walking wild west coast beaches along the Heaphy to traversing volcanoes on the…
I am excited to announce the release of my book, The Real Guide to New Zealand: the Unique Nature of Aotearoa. The book was officially released on 10 November 2022. We are so lucky to live in such a special part of the world here…