These endemic New Zealand birds are truly special and deserve some attention during whio awareness month. Here are 5 places to see whio in their natural setting. New Zealand has so many special birds – from the iconic kiwi to kea and tiny rifleman. I…
Here are 6 must visit predator free islands. These islands are places where it’s possible to see many of the unique plants and animals of New Zealand, such as kiwi, tuatara, and giant weta. New Zealand is a country comprised of islands – from the…
Here are 5 must visit nature reserves in New Zealand. These are great places to see native wildlife in a natural setting on the main islands. As any of us that live here know, New Zealand has an abundance of beautiful natural wonders. There are…
The endemic rifleman is New Zealand’s smallest native bird. Read 7 facts about this bird that weighs about 1/3 of a house mouse. The more time I spend wandering in the bush the more that I become familiar with it. I’ve learned to identify the…
These 5 New Zealand nature record holders include the tallest, largest, and longest living species. Here are just a few of the standout species that call these islands home. I am always fascinated with watching or seeing the best. I love watching the best athletes…
The hike difficulty levels in this blog are based on my personal experience. Here is a short explanation of the hike difficulty ratings on this blog. In my blog I include many different day and multi-day hikes. These range from easy walks, like Cathedral Cove…
Tama Lakes makes a fantastic day walk near Mt. Ruapehu. This hike is an alternative to the busy Tongariro Crossing with alpine views. Mt. Ruapehu is the hulking mass of rock that juts up from the central part of the North Island. The area around…
Here are 5 white native flowers in New Zealand. These are some common native white flowers that you’ll see in the wilds of New Zealand. I love hiking all across the world and one of my favourite things to encounter when hiking is a meadow…
Lake Dive track loop is a great day walk on Mt. Taranaki. This track is a full day, adventurous walk through forest and tussock with views galore. I’ve been to Lake Dive on numerous occasions and have always enjoyed the area. Being on the south…
Here are the 8 Great Barrier Island must do’s. The island has a diverse range of activities – hiking, surfing, beach walks, or just relaxing. Great Barrier Island is truly a land to itself. It may only be a 30 minute plane ride from Auckland,…