Smelly place. Full of gas but the cable car up the mountain and the luge ride down were fantastic fun ? Stayed one night in Taupo and the spa pools were filled with natural spring water at about 40°... read more

Leaving the Bay of Islands we headed back through Auckland and across East to the Bay of Plenty. we stayed 2 nights at Papamoa right next to the beach. Nice afternoon in Mt. Maunganui and walked the base route of the mountain. Had awesome ice cream in a hand made waffle cone delish ... read more

Oh my goodness, New Zealand is the most beautiful country. Amazing views at every turn. Somehow it just keeps getting better and better. Long twisty road trip today from Paihia to Cape Reinga, the northern most tip of New Zealand and a very spiritual and important area for the Maori people. We felt very moved and privileged to be there and both had quiet little chats with those sadly no longer with us. ... read more

Feb 15th. Arrived around midday From Melbourne. Clocks gone on a further 2 hours so we are 13 ahead of UK time now. First impressions - it's hilly! But we like the atmosphere Downtown and Central. Nice old buildings to explore. The Auckland area will be our base for at least the next couple of weeks. We have some voluntary work lined up for 10 days or so and will have time to get out and explore too. Feb 17th. Took the local bus into the city. Went up the Sky City tower and to some great pics. Feb 18th. Late lunch at Degree Bar in Viaduct Harbour watching all the big pleasure cruisers and private sailing yachts mooring up. Feb 19th. Took the 12 minute ferry ride across the harbour to Devonport. More of a ... read more

Feb 10th At last, the Great Ocean Road proper! Our drive from Adelaide down to the south coast of South Australia and east toward Melbourne was pretty amazing But nothing could prepare us for the beauty and spectacle that awaits on the Great Ocean Road from East of Port Fairy and on to the 12 Apostles. We stopped many times to park up and walked through the scrubland to viewing points perched atop crumbling cliffs but boy oh boy was it worth it!! London Bridge, a massive chunk of rock cut away from its peninsula over the years. The Bay of Islands, more massive lumps eroded by the passage of time. The Grotto, The Arch then our favourite Loch Ard Gorge, a huge cut away into the limestone forming two magnificent coves joining at a white ... read more