Tag Archive | river

Three in a boat in Patua

Strictly speaking I cannot say three men in a boat – to be accurate it would have to be three humans in a kayak.

Or perhaps, at times, one human and two dogs – but you get the idea.

Pataua copyright THE KIWI BLOG BUS

We were eager to try out Read More…

Freedom camping near Horeke Tavern

Just sharing my view from bed this morning…..

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I’ve been out of phone signal lately ( yesterday we went up Cape Reinga at the Northern point of NZ) so I’ll have to do full blog posts when I get home.

Last night the Kiwi Blog Bus freedom camped at Horeke, Hokianga Harbour.
We are next to the Horeke Tavern which has been serving beer since 1826 ( that’s like real old in New Zealand terms!) and I recommend you all should visit this utterly charming place.

I’ve had such a peaceful night with just birds waking me this morning to a stunning view.

I have lots more pics to download when we get home but I’ll leave you with these:

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Next on our plans…. We’re actually heading back to the Bay of Islands.
We haven’t been over to Russell yet but an invitation was kindly extended to us from Angela & Don of Russell – Orongo Bay Holiday Park to come and stay there.
We met them at the motorhome show in Hamilton last year and it’s taken us this long to get up here!
The 14 acre holiday park sounds amazing and i’m looking forward to checking out all the facilities. I’m so pleased we can go with our canine friends on board too!
I’m excited to get over there (on the ferry) and explore historic Russell and its beautiful surroundings.
Stay tuned!

Summer roadtrip night no.2

Free park over in Whangerai town centre down near the river
Lovely historic town basin, nicely renovated with lots of international boats moored up

Great, and very handy, playground for the ten-year-old!

Dinner – an excellent veg curry, spot on if I do say so myself
Weather – just cooling off this evening, has been very humid all day with the threat of rain but nothing arriving
Mood – just fine and dandy

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Our weekend continued: Wairere Falls

After we’d spent an enjoyable few hours at Firth Tower Reserve we decided it was time to move on, however, the sun was still shining and it was far too early to set off home.

Hence… we ended up just another 20kms or so up the road (North of Matamata) at the beautifully stunning Wairere Falls.


Reputed to be the highest waterfall in New Zealand’s North Island, the falls plunge 153 metres (500 feet) then disappear into the depths of native bush. Read More…

Hamilton Gardens: a collection of paradise and more

Staying local again this week, I shall take you on a trip to Hamilton Gardens – the Waikato’s most popular visitor attraction.

Indian Char Bagh Garden, Hamilton Gardens

Locals and tourists alike throng regularly through the many themed areas, gardens and collections, all open free to the public.

We are lucky enough to be able to visit the gardens on a regular basis; for dog walks, Sunday strolls, Jazz festivals, picnics and more.

In particular we enjoy Read More…

Home sweet home: Cambridge, New Zealand

Seeing as we haven’t been away in the Kiwi Blog Bus for a wee while I thought I would blog today about my beautiful home town of Cambridge as it’s certainly somewhere I’d like to visit if I didn’t live here!

This is not meant to be a full and comprehensive guide to the town, rather a few of my personal pictures that I have taken over the few years we’ve enjoyed living here.

If you want to learn more about this very historic New Zealand town then check out the museum website.

And for those of you that have driven through Cambridge on State Highway 1 and not bothered to stop for a look… this is what you missed:

St Andrews Anglican Church, built in 1873 this is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Cambridge

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New Zealand’s Forgotten World Highway

From the Kiwi Annison archives:

In deepest North Island, not far from the steep volcanic slopes of Mt. Taranaki, there is a road that leads you through isolated hills, wild landscapes and past pioneering monuments.

The Forgotten World Highway, otherwise known as State Highway 43, is 150km of winding road leading from Stratford, near the Egmont National Park, to Taumarunui in the Central Plateau.

Read More…

Huka Huka: Prawns and Falls

From the Kiwi Annison Archives

If we’re ever heading down to Taupo or beyond, one of our favourite spots to call in for a spot of relaxation, great food and good old easy-going kiwi ambience is Huka Prawn Park and its fantastic riverside restaurant.

Situated next to the Waikato River, just a short distance from the powerful Huka Falls, the park breeds and grows tropical prawns (Giant Malaysian River Prawns) using waste geothermal heat from the geothermal power station next door. Read More…

Minniesdale Chapel and the brave pioneers of Albertland, New Zealand

A spur of the minute decision we made on a trip in April 2011 took us to a place that roused my emotions and stirred my hidden pioneer spirit.

Minniesdale Chapel, Port Albert

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Tarawera Falls, one of the best walks in New Zealand

From the Kiwi Annison Archives…..

In December 2010 we made a special visit to Lake Tarawera’s eastern shores.

We had previously been to the western side of the lake (read Lake Tarawera and the Buried Village) but the journey to Tarawera Outlet required us to travel via Kawerau (off SH 30 between Rotorua and Whakatane) where we had to obtain a permit to travel on the private forestry road to the lake. Read More…