new zealand Archives -

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[...]

October 16, 2019

What to do in the Waitaki Valley

From unique geological features, braided rivers, lakes and mountains the Waitaki Valley has so much to offer especially for the nature lovers out there! In my opinion the Waitaki Valley is highly underrated. Many people by pass heading inland or just cruise through the valley without taking time to explore it further. I can tell ya, you're missing out! Here are must do's when you're in the area. 1.Kurow Hill This is a 'huffy puffy' trail but a quick steep 40 minutes up and you'll have the best view of the township of Kurow and the Waitaki River. It cl[...]

November 17, 2018

Story time: Exploring the magic of Tasman Lake

"Proceed with caution", "Enter at your own risk", "Avalanche area" Being from the prairies these are all things Lauren doesn't exactly get excited about, but they had a 4WD ute, Chris's confidence and his need to drive off the beaten path. So, on they went. Neither one had been to Tasman Lake before. They weren't totally sure at that point that they were even driving in the right direction to actually see the lake. They found out later that they, in fact, were, just a little detour from most of everyone else and were in for a real surprise with the views t[...]

October 30, 2018

Story time: The Hooker Valley Track

The work week was over and the weekend finally here. Lauren was more than excited for what the next two days would bring. She felt like a kid in a candy store living in New Zealand not knowing where to go first or next. Should she go up a mountain, wander around a lake or sit by the ocean. It seemed the choice for raw beauty was never-ending and overwhelming in the most perfect way. It fueled her heart and gave her a zest for life. It was Saturday morning and the alarm went off at 7 am. She popped out of bed without hesitation leaving her boyfriend Ch[...]

October 3, 2018

Fueling for day hikes

For a lot of us when we hit the trail on the weekend for a day hike we may throw a couple of snacks in our pack and go not thinking much about how we’ve fueled our body for the days’ adventure. I used to do this all the time and the struggle was real trying to get to the top. Yes it’s possible to go out for 5, 6, 7 hours with minimal food but it won’t be easy and it’s not doing the body any favours. Although multi-day hikes require more planning in terms of nutrition keeping your body fueled for a short hike will certainly make it much more enjoyabl[...]

September 11, 2018

Exploring my backyard with LIVE+

I feel strongly that your home is what you make of it and that there is always adventure out there. No matter where you live it’s always worth exploring your own backyard. Living in New Zealand now, I feel very lucky that I live in a country where the landscape is so diverse that if I want to see the ocean and mountains in one day, I can. It just boggles my mind and is so exciting! Many that live here though, admit that they think it’s cool but don’t appreciate it like an ‘outsider’ would. Funny thing is looking back on where I came from in Mani[...]

September 8, 2018

Black Cat Cruises nature cruise- Akaroa, New Zealand

I walked up the wharf with one thing on my mind. It was chilly out and the clouds were threatening rain but I was more excited than ever to get my pass, board the Black Cat cruises boat and set out into the harbor. I’ve been to Akaroa a few times before exploring the coastline and starring out into the sea always on the lookout for something jumping out of the water or flicking its tail. I know I was dreaming but finally on my latest visit I was setting out to see some extraordinary animals of the sea. I was so incredibly lucky that day to get[...]

September 4, 2018

Back to my country roots at Silo Stay- Little River

If I could think of the perfect accommodation for a country girl or really anyone for that matter it’d have to be something away from the city and a rural feel. Birds chirping and animals grazing in paddocks. Something cozy and farm like but also surrounded by mountains and some sort of body of water…Read more about Back to my country roots at Silo Stay- Little River[…]

April 27, 2018

Exploring the Ashburton lakes in Canterbury, New Zealand

The weather can be a challenge in Canterbury, New Zealand sometimes. And by sometimes I mean a lot. I’ve come to realize it’s windy more than it is calm, so on those 10 km/hr wind days, I do anything I can to get out and chase me some reflections! I've been to the Ashburton Lakes area numerous times. These photos are from multiple trips. There's something so magical about the snow capped mountains, the stillness of the air and the raw beauty of nature. Lake Heron Lake Clearwater Lake C[...]

February 20, 2018

Exploring the epic Clay Cliffs Omarama, New Zealand

Don’t you just love when you come across something so unexpected and unusual?! I especially love it when it’s completely random and pretty much in the middle of nowhere. That’s really what the Clay Cliffs of Omarama in New Zealand are. These cliffs so unique, unusual and a geologcial wonder that you do not want to miss! The tall sharp pinnacles are very impressive and the narrow ravines are fun to walk through and make for some really cool photos. The clay cliffs are said to be almost 2 million years old and are made up of layers of[...]