Blogs from North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 1227

We're just back from a great weekend in the Bay of Islands, in the north of New Zealand. We went with Magic, a company that specialises in backpacker tours and covers the whole country, and takes you to places that you might not find if you were to drive yourself. On the way to Paihia (the town we were staying in) we went up the west coast of Northland, through forests and past lovely beaches on the Tasman Sea. We stopped to visit Tane Mahuta, the biggest tree in New Zealand (it's massive!). It was a long drive up the west coast, but we finally got to Paihia at about 4.30 (having left Auckland at 8 in the morning...) The next day was an early start as we were going to Cape Reinga, the most northerly ... read more

We went on a day trip to Devonport, which is directly across the harbour from Auckland city. It's part of Greater Auckland, but is a separate town. It's a wee holiday place, with lots of Victorian buildings, and was a nice place for a stroll. We found a pub that sells Tennants lager as a speciality beer, isn't that funny! Devonport is built on two volcanic cones, and we climbed up one of them. We took lots of boring pictures of the Auckland skyline (which I'm not going to bore you all with) but in the other direction you could see for miles. The closest island to Devonport is Rangitoto, another volcano, but one which has only been there for about 600 years. Geographers among you - isn't that a great picture of a volcano?!... read more

We’ve been in New Zealand for a week now and there’s lots to tell… I’m not sure where to start… First impressions of NZ are good. Auckland is a nice city, very culturally diverse (it has the biggest Polynesian population outside the islands, and lots of people from SE Asia live here too) and very friendly. Even the people at passport control in the airport are friendly! After our introduction to Auckland nightlife on the day we arrived we had a low-key weekend, apart from finding a flat that is. We ended up flat-hunting by accident on Sunday (it’s a long story!) and found one we really like - very central, one bedroom, comes with Sky TV included, and is on the 9th floor with views of the city and the ocean. Oh, and did I ... read more

Every time I got these photos out I would get homesick! They were taken on my last hunt with Burnz down near Whangarei on a private block. As Burnz would agree we had plenty of opportunities but failed to deliver the real goods. Can't wait to crack back into this.... read more

Well after a night of drinking, dancing and all the other usual night out mischief we decided the best way to clear the old cobwebs is to get right out there in the windiest place in N.Z. put on a pair of of oversized plastic boots which have four wheels attached to them and investigate what this city has to offer during daylight hours (of which there are few - remember it is winter here). Yep you guessed it we went roller-blading. I have found out the most fun way to enjoy roller-blading if you are an experienced skater is to take with you not just one person that has never skated before instead put a few not so confident folk on wheels first thing in the morning after a heavy night of beer cocktails and ... read more