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Climbing Tahurangi | The Summer Route to Mt Ruapehu’s Highest Summit
Tahurangi (2,797 m) is the highest point on Mt Ruapehu and the highest mountain summit in New Zealand’s North Island. The most popularsummer route starts from the Tūroa Ski Area and takes experienced hikers around 7–9 hours return. There is no marked track above the skifield and be aware that the route is not for…
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Hiking Kaukau at Night: City Views, Kiwi Spotting, and Trail Guide
Looking for some of the best views of Wellington at night? The Kaukau walk by torchlight is a must-do for locals and visitors alike. As one of the highest points near the city, Kaukau summit provides 360-degree panoramic views of Wellington Harbour and CBD, the Hutt Valley, and Cook Strait. These night-time photos and Frequently…
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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
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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”
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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…
