Mud tyres aren’t for sand

While we were bombing around in the sand dunes, the main takeaway is that my chunky mud tyres look great, but are just not practical for the sand. Who knew? With the help of our awesome new tour guide who is significantly more experienced than me, we explored all through the dunes, onto the beach looking across to Whakaari and Moutohora islands, and conquered a couple of hill climbs.

Sunday April 21, 2024

#adventure

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#drone

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#jeep

Easter Jeeping at the Centre of the North Island

This Easter break, a host of things all came together at once. I needed a day free of responsibilities, Jodi didn’t mind if I had a day free of responsibilities, and I found a place to get some mud on the tyres which didn’t involve an overnight stay halfway across the country. Victory. Journey to the Centre of the North Island Researching good places to take your 4WD off road, two places come up over and over again.

Wednesday April 12, 2023

#adventure

Lake Tarawera and the hot springs

My family is visiting New Zealand for the first time, and one of the things I’ve been most excited to share with them is how much I love getting out on the boat. There’s a very specific type stillness that is my favourite sound and feeling in the world, when you can feel time slip over you and the world feels still. I’ve only found it in three places - in Venice 🇮🇹, at the top of a mountain, and in the middle of a lake.

Wednesday February 22, 2023

#adventure

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#drone

Waihi & the secret beach

We took a family trip to Waihi beach on the weekend. The last time we attempted this with the little one, he was super ratty and really wasn’t feeling it - we had to turn back! This time, with mud under his gum boots and us carrying all of his stuff for him, he nailed it 💪 From the main Waihi beach, it’s about an hour’s walk (with a 4 year old!

Wednesday January 18, 2023

#adventure

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#drone

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#boat

The summer of adventure begins

It’s my summer of adventure, and it has kicked off with - if you’ll pardon the pun - a splash. After being fairly stuck indoors last year, I’ve made a promise to myself to make sure I get outside as often as possible! With that in mind, today we took the boat and the jet ski out to the clearest water out of all the Rotorua lakes, the always-stunning Lake Rotomā, and had a little play in that crystal clear water.

Wednesday December 28, 2022

#adventure

The Log Cabin in Waihi

After a crazy few months at work, we finally managed a well-deserved escape from life and into the woods. We’ve stayed at the Log Cabin in Waihi lots of times before, but it’s always an amazing getaway. There’s nothing like the woods, the rain and a good whiskey to feel a part of your soul come back 🥃 Baaaaabe. Maaaaaaaaarc. Baaaaaaaabe! Somehow, there’s only a couple of weeks before Christmas.

Monday December 12, 2022

#adventure

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#jeep

Gravel roads around Pirongia

After literally minutes of planning, I went off on an adventure today to clear my mind. I decided to head from Tauranga through Pirongia, around the south side of the mountain, and then on towards Kawhia. From there, I headed north through Makomako and completely overshot Bridal Veil Falls - I’ll have to get back there soon. Definitely my favourite shot of the day! Still heading north I passed Raglan and turned back east towards Waitetuna, via Old Mountain Road.

Monday November 21, 2022

#adventure

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#jeep

Jeep stuff

Finally, after a year of having the Gladiator, I finally got the chance to take it off and do some Jeep stuff! We drove down to Motu Road, just past Ōpōtiki, and took off into the bush. Then off up the gravel road. We’re no longer a pavement princess!

Monday November 7, 2022