The Coromandel Peninsula & Napier And so we'd arrived at our last week in New Zealand for which Mandy (David's sister) was joining us. It had certainly been a long time in the planning so it was fantastic to meet up with her on the other side of the world. After successfully meeting up at Auckland airport we headed to the Coromandel Peninsula, where the Kiwis themselves go on holiday, or so we'd been reliably informed. A first night stopover in Thames pro...

North Northland A quick stop across the water at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds proved an interesting detour and the place had a great sense of history about it. After a pretty drive across the peninsula we arrived in Ahipara at the foot of Ninety Mile Beach. After considering our various options for tours and activities we opted instead to do nothing and just enjoy the beach with some sunbathing, swimming and Frisbee….basically enjoying some down time at anot...

The rest of Northland A quick stop across the water at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds proved an interesting detour and the place had a great sense of history about it. After a pretty drive across the peninsula we arrived in Ahipara at the foot of Ninety Mile Beach. After considering our various options for tours and activities we opted instead to do nothing and just enjoy the beach with some sunbathing, swimming and Frisbee….basically enjoying some down time a...

Auckland & the Bay of Islands Waving goodbye to David's mum & dad we boarded the bus for the 6 hour journey to Auckland where we were to spend a couple of nights. According to the map, the hostel wasn't too far up the road…though what we hadn't realised was the number of hills in Auckland and our hostel was on one of the steepest. Walking with your rucksack is not fun at the best of times, but its even less so uphill. Nevermind. After a morning spe...

A week in Taupo via Wellington We sadly bid a farewell to our campervan in Christchurch relieved that we hadn't added to the numerous dents that it had when we began and headed to the airport for the short flight to the bottom of the north island and Wellington. Our ever expanding carbon footprint was added to further but we had very little option as coach travel was more expensive and the train only runs three times a week. We only had half a day in Wellingt...