Auckland’s Whale & Dolphin Safari Promises To “Make Dreams Come True”

I will admit that, since I was a freckle faced child, I’ve been fascinated with the grace and beauty of dolphins.  Ancient Greeks recognised their beauty and killing one was considered sacrilegious and punishable...

Huka Prawn Park: Giant Malayasian River Prawns Evade Capture

Our mission was simple.  I would lead a small task force of seafood lovers and infiltrate Huka Prawn Park to snatch as many prawns as we could in 3 hours and return to base. Codenamed...
Maori beach

Explore Milford Sound and its Maori Legends

Updated: August 2021 Air Milford has formed a significant presence in The Southern Hemisphere’s adventure capital as a premiere operator to Milford Sound.  I checked out why Air Milford’s intimate knowledge of the Queenstown area...

Rafting New Zealand serve up a white-water knuckle ride on Tongariro River

Updated: November 2018 "Any final tips?" Vladimir nervously asks our guide, Lee - not entirely sure that he really expects an honest answer. With a smile the width of the Tongariro River, the response is...

Welcome to Auckland – The City of Sails

Auckland, home to approximately 1.5 million Kiwis, lies in the pacific Ocean’s far south-west. It’s New Zealand’s biggest city and provides an excellent base to explore the North Island’s hidden coves and scenic coast...

Scream Like a Baby on Queenstown’s Rapids

Updated: November 2018 After Shock-Pinball, Jaws.  Sounds like a list of action movies, right?  Well, they’re the gateway to some action, but just part of the movie that’s Challenge Rafting on the Shotover River in...

Maori History, Dolphins & Breath Taking Scenery in Paihia

Updated: November 2018 The Bay of Islands has been a favourite holiday spot for generations of Kiwi families.  At its heart, lies the picturesque seaside village of Paihia, which offers a relaxed pace for locals...
Rafting group navigating through a narrow volcanic gorge on the Upper Navua River, surrounded by rugged rock formations and lush greenery in Fiji.

Upper Navua River Rafting: Beyond Fiji’s Beaches

Originally published 18 November 2024 · Updated 3 November 2026 We’d rafted the gentle Tongariro and survived the Shotover’s Grade IV and V rapids. Yet somehow, Fiji’s Upper Navua kept slipping to next time. Rivers Fiji...

The Magic of Hobbiton – Exploring Middle Earth

Nestled in New Zealand's North Island’s rolling hills, lies the magic of Hobbiton.  It has captured the hearts of J.R.R Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" film and book fans all...

All’s fair in love and war on King Tutt’s Putt Putt mini-golf courses

“Mine’s the orange one” Cerys demands with a mischievous cheeky smile.“I’ll have the lilac one” adds Cerys’ friend Laura. The remaining choice hangs in the balance and my wife Karen saves me some embarrassment...