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Makara Walkway at Night: A Wellington Coastal Wander
Makara Walkway – an after dark delight An easy walk around the Makara Walkway for spectacular views after the sun has set. When the sun dips below Cook Strait, the Makara Walkway transforms. At night, our familiar Wellington landscapes are altered, becoming at once enchanting and mysterious. It is the hour when we are most…
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Under the Ice at Tongariro National Park: Exploring Mt Ruapehu’s Glaciers and Ice Caves
Inside the Ice: Exploring Mt Ruapehu’s Glaciers and Caves A day hike to a spectacular ice cave in the Summit Plateau Glacier The Milky Way above the WTMC Lodge, Tongariro National Park As one of my stories on the Tongariro National Park, this post focuses on the ethereal ice formations found in the Mt Ruapehu…
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Kaukau summit – a hiker’s point of view of a well worthwhile Wellington walk
Kaukau summit A well worthwhile Wellington walk Kaukau is one of the highest points close to Wellington and the 360 degree views from the summit are well worth the effort getting there. There are tracks starting from Johnsonville, Broadmeadows, Khandallah and Ngaio. Arguably the easiest is from the carpark at Johnsonville Park at the end…
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Exploring the Tararua Range: Huts, Ridges, and Alpine Flowers
The Tararua Range is mostly known for its misty and moody weather, but in the heart of summer, the peaks and valleys transform into a vibrant alpine playground. From the edelweiss blooming on the slopes of Brockett to the refreshing crystal pools of the lower gorges, mid-summer offers a rare window of golden weather…
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A Tararua Range high: Maungahuka Hut – my ‘why’ of tramping
Story by: Sarah Fisher Photos: Sarah and Tony G Date: March 2022. The hut that started it all for me … Years ago, when I got my first Tararua Forest Park map for a school tramp and on the front of it was a beautiful photo of Maungahuka Hut high on the Tararua Range next…
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Beyond Ruapehu: Discovering Te Roro o Taiteariki, The Rangipo Desert and Tongariro’s Smallest Volcano
While thousands of travelers speed along the Desert Road, maybe glancing at the snow-capped majesty of Mount Ruapehu, a smaller story sits quietly in the shadows. Most visitors can name the “Big Three” peaks of the Tongariro National Park, but few stop to acknowledge the tiny, pylon-crowned warrior standing guard on the edge of the…
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“❓Where’s Sarah”
The eight of us met at platform nine at 5 pm in an attempt to get away for a slightly early departure for the long drive up to Taranaki. Despite our best efforts, including Dan sneaking out of the office while his boss wasn’t looking, a crash on SH2 and then roadworks on SH1 meant…
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🌴Ozzie’s Track – a forgotten route in the Tararua Forest Park
Ozzie’s Track is one of those mostly-forgotten routes in the Tararua Range that doesn’t appear on today’s topomaps but lives on in trampers’ conversations—particularly those of the members of the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club who have adopted the track and now maintain it. Tucked into the Ōhau River valley on the western side of…
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Escarpment Track – a hiker’s POV of the “Stairway to Heaven”.
Paekākāriki Escarpment Track – a hiker’s point of view of the “Stairway to Heaven”. The hiker’s point of view of a 9.5km hike along the Escarpment Track from Pukerua Bay to Paekākāriki taking in wonderful coastal views and a golden sunset. Ever wondered what it looks like to be standing on New Zealand’s “Stairway to…
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Protecting Whio | The Fight for Survival in the Ruahine Range
Protecting Whio | The Fight for Survival in the Ruahine Range A 3-day hike in the Ruahine Range rebaiting predator traps protecting the threatened whio (Blue Duck). The story describes the tireless efforts of dedicated conservationists to protect the birds, and includes a route guide and photos. If you want to save a species, it’s a…
