Taupo to Whakahoro - Wednesday 30th November 2011 Continuing down south we headed to a remote part of the north island. Our destination is Blue Duck Lodge, a 9,000 acre farm that is doubles up as an environmental conservation area. This family owned farm is run by the father along with his son Dan. Dan has inherited a large amount of the land to run a project to conserve this amazing native bush and endangered species known as the Blue Duck. The farm is pred...

Maketu to Taupo (via Rotorua) - Tuesday 29th November 2011 Today we're heading south to Taupo, stopping in Rotorua to check out the geothermal pools and grab a bite to eat. Another early 8am start which was enlightened by a couple of late arrivals to the bus. Ricky (bus driver) and Dan (the bus b****) are not ones for bad time keeping (I don't stand much luck here), therefore if you make the group late you will be punished. So the two late comers where made to...

Reglan to Maketu (via Waitomo) - Monday 28th November 2011 Today we're heading to Maketu for a cultural Maori night via Waitomo - a small rural town famous for caving. This was one of my top 5 must do activities in NZ, so without any hesitation I signed up for a half day cave abseiling. After being kitted up in a wetsuit & harness, followed by a 20 minute run-through of our itinerary, we made our wave down to the cave entrance. Upon entering I was sudden...

Northland (heading south) Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th November 2011 Auckland to Hahei Beach - Saturday 26th November 2011 Departing from the big smoke of Auckland we headed south towards the Coromandel Peninsula via Thames. Today the Sandwich club was officially born. Seems you can get a good lunch for under $2 each.......buy in bulk! Seven of us (started as four) clubbed together to create a Pac n' Save lunch special (Photo tells all). We stopped at H...

Northland & Bay of Islands Thursday 24th to Friday 25th November 2011 Day two - Paihia to Cape Reinga and back Today we explored the mighty Kauri forest (Gumdiggers Park), which used to be farmed for its gum trees (think rain boots and flip flops and you're on the right track in understanding what the gum was used for). From here we then headed to 90 mile beach, saw the clashing of the two oceans at Cape Reinga before ending the day dune surfing. What's th...