New Zealand Archives -

October 17, 2023

A quick guide to hiking the Mt Lyndon track

Mt Lyndon track is located in the Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands area in Canterbury. It stands tall over Lake Lyndon with beautiful views over the lake, Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park and the Craigieburn Range. I have been up Mt Lyndon a couple of times now. My favourite hikes are ones with lake views down below and this one certainly ticks that off. Only about a third of the way up and you get some epic views of Lake Lyndon. Like many hikes, you do have to work for this view, however it's totally worth it! Track Details 649m gain | 5.6km retu[...]

May 30, 2023

5 beautiful photography Spots in mid canterbury you don’t want to miss

Lakes, rivers, ocean and greenery, there are many beautiful photography spots in Mid Canterbury. We are so lucky in this area that we have such a mix of landscapes meaning ample opportunity to take photos. I spend a lot of time exploring Mid Canterbury, after all, I do live here and it seems every time I go out, I find another opportunity to snap a photo. Whether you want an image for the gram, a nice landscape shot or some inspiration before heading to the area, I've compiled a short list of 5 beautiful photography spots in Mid Canterbury. If you're l[...]

May 16, 2023

4 beautiful photo-worthy things to do in Fairlie

Fairlie is a beautiful small town that often gets missed by visitors. It is called the Gateway to the Mackenzie and many visitors drive through with a coffee and pie in hand, thank you Fairlie Bakehouse eager to get down to the more well-known parts of the country like Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Although those spots are definitely must-sees, after an afternoon exploring in Fairlie, I highly suggest making the time to explore the town before moving through. A great thing about Fairlie as well is that accommodation isn't as expensive as the likes o[...]

November 23, 2022

shop local- Under $50 gifts for the outdoor lover

When it comes to gifting especially finding Christmas gifts for the outdoor lover, it can become a pretty daunting task. I feel like once we reach our late twenties, we all kind of have everything. Or what we want has such a huge price tag it's not really gift-worthy anyways. It can be hard to find a gift for the outdoor lover for a few reasons. What I find hard is finding a gift that's personal or practical, unique, at a reasonable price, and ideally somewhat local. Those are 4 things that can be quite difficult to tick off. I love Christmas and I love[...]

June 8, 2022

6 awesome day trips from Christchurch for outdoor lovers

You want to get out of the city but you're not sure where to go or even what to do. Turning to google searching 'day trips from Christchurch' and you've landed here! Don't worry I've got ya. I can't even count the number of times I've searched the same thing for many areas in New Zealand. Often we only have a day to explore and we want to make the most of it. I think the beauty of New Zealand and traveling from Christchurch is that you're really not too far away from anything. The bonus is that the landscapes from each area are so diverse that even an hou[...]

May 16, 2022

5 super easy to see waterfalls on the south island of New Zealand!

The south island of New Zealand is filled with epic waterfalls dotted around the island. Some require some kind of hiking effort, others can only be seen from a boat or up in the air. Those of course are great options but I think we can all agree that sometimes when we're traveling around, we really just want the best 'bang for our buck'. The 'easy to see' things. A high epic to effort ratio. Luckily, New Zealand is epic in all ways and treats us to sites like beautiful waterfalls just off the road or an easy 5-10 minute walk in. You won't even work up a[...]

April 22, 2022

Hiking the Lake Marian track- all you need to know!

Besides the great walks in Fiordland, undoubtedly, Lake Marian is the most popular day hike in the park. The stunning alpine turquoise waters of Lake Marian is something out of a storybook with mountains towering all around. On a smaller scale, if you can believe it, it reminded Chris and I of my favourite lake, Moraine Lake in Alberta, Canada. It was the best reminder of just how lucky we are to be able to explore these incredible sights of mother nature. The uphill climb through rocky and rooted paths definitely makes it all worth it. It's not an easy t[...]

September 6, 2021

4 fun filled weekend trips from Christchurch, New Zealand

The beauty of New Zealand is you do not have to go very far to feel like you've gone far. Kind of nice right. I know when I want to get away it's always more exciting when it feels like I've hoped countries and stepped into a whole new world. Well, these weekend trips from Christchurch do just that. They take you from coastal regions to mountains, lakes and jungles vibes. Whether you live here in New Zealand and want to make the most of your weekend or days off or are just visiting I have your next 2 months of weekend getaways covered! Akaroa Akaro[...]

January 25, 2021

7 short waterfall tracks in Canterbury, New Zealand

The beauty of hiking in Canterbury is that there is a big variety of trails to explore. There are plenty of tall mountains to climb up but hidden throughout are also easier waterfall tracks. I wouldn't say Canterbury is home to the most amazing waterfalls like the Catlins for example or some of those in the North Island but it's nice switching things up on the trail. This post explores seven short waterfall tracks in Canterbury. I've included as much information as I could for each track but be sure to check the Department of Conservation's website to keep[...]

October 19, 2020

Ashburton Lakes- exploring New Zealand’s epic high country

The Ashburton Lakes district in the Hakatere Conservation area in the south island of New Zealand, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated areas that the south has to offer. Not far from Christchurch, Ashburton or Timaru, the area is a lot more secluded, off the beaten track and an absolute gem of a spot to explore. Entering this area of the country takes you to a whole new world and not one you just dream up in your head. The vast open valley is surrounded by tall mountain tops and is dotted with sheep and cattle grazing from the few high country stati[...]