I've spent the past nineteen months backpacking through seven countries. Before I left Canada, I put together a detailed backpacking packing list; the contents have changed slightly since then thanks to thrift shops + book shops! For shorter trips though,…
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I'll be honest, when I was still in Australia and first researching New Zealand and how to best get around the tiny two-island nation, I was pretty stumped. It seemed that the only way to do it was if you…
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New Zealand is my favourite country in the world! There's so much to see - from abandoned gold mines, beautiful coastlines, epic volcanoes and bursting geothermal activity. I've been living here for a year and a half now and have made…
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The Narnia chronicles were an incredible part of my childhood - the magic in each story greater than the last, all exquisitely crafted by C. S. Lewis. While New Zealand is perhaps most famously known for being the surreal backdrop of the Lord…
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Back in February, we bought a little self-contained van while we were living in Wellington. We named her Bongo (since she's a Mazda Bongo - yes, so creative, we know) and took her out for a few weekend trips in…
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Ahhh, Lord of the Rings. The incredible trilogy, complemented by The Hobbit trilogy, that basically turned New Zealand into one giant film set. It's been said that every kiwi was or knows someone who was an extra in LotR. It's not hard to see…
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New Zealand is an outdoor paradise. It's home to some of the world's most beautiful national parks, stunning coastline, breathtaking views and world-renowned hiking trails. During my time on the North Island, I hiked over a hundred kilometres of beautiful…
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After living and working in Wellington for just over five months, our working holiday visas ran out and it was time to move on to the next adventure. We said goodbye to our townhouse, finished up at work, once again…
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The past seventeen months living down under in the tiny country sometimes left off of world maps has been nothing short of surreal. New Zealand quickly became my favourite country in the world, not only for its beauty but also…
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In the heart of Auckland, a short little hike provides impressive views of the city. Mount Eden is an ancient volcano that last erupted 15,000 years ago. A crater was left at a whopping fifty metres deep; you'll walk the…
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New Zealand is my favourite country in the world! There's so much to see - from epic volcanoes to incredible glaciers, sweeping fiords and stunning coastlines. I've been living here for a year and a half now and have made…
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Near to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, Piha is a beautiful beach escape popular for it's beautiful black sandy beaches, wonderful surf-friendly waves and laid back vibe. We hiked up to Kitekite Falls and then hit the beach for a…
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Piha is a beautiful beach community to the west of Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city and the start of most international arrivals' adventures. Piha is best known for its beautiful black sand beaches. Nearby, a lovely half hour walk up…
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Northland is the northenmost region in New Zealand, encompassing the long, skinny tip of the North Island north of Auckland, home to the mildest weather in the country. We spent a week exploring the area, taking our time, camping at…
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