Destinations
On this page we share stories of some of our multi-day adventures and the amazing people we've met and places we've been. (Check out the Local Gems page for shorter stories about individual businesses and special places).
Māpua
Just half hour’s drive from Nelson and you’ll find yourself in the charming seaside hamlet of Māpua. Māpua is a very popular short trip for locals wanting to enjoy a meal or a bit of boutique shopping with an onshore breeze and a view of the water. Jumping of the Māpua pier is a famous…
Wharariki Beach (Golden Bay/Mohua)
Wharariki (one hour by car from Tākaka) is famous for its rock formations and expansive, and often windswept beach. It’s a destination that’s worth dedicating half a day to if you’re in Golden Bay/Mohua. Once you leave the tar seal it’s about 10-15 minutes on unsealed road to the carpark from which you walk twenty…
The Mauri of Maruia – our original song is now a promotional video!
We loved our stay at Maruia River Retreat so much that Jacquie wrote a song while we were there. It has now been made into a promotional video directed by Aimee Jules. Have a look/listen below!
Rediscovering my home town (Ōtautahi/Christchurch)
It’s interesting being a tourist in your own home town. So much has changed since the earthquakes of course and there is a definite sense of investment in the city and an energy of renewal and rebirth. There are also a lot more cars on the roads. For me it’s an experience of two halves.…
Kura Tāwhiti (Castle Hill, Canterbury)
The forecast told us that there might be snow en route, but we saw none at all and had a really pleasant drive from Hokitika on the West Coast through the spectacular Otira Gorge. We stopped for something to eat at Arthur’s Pass before heading to Kura Tāwhiti (Castle Hill). This was my first time…
Motoring West – A five-day epic ‘roadie’ on SH6
Our itinerary: Nelson to Punakaiki – between Westport and Greymouth (two nights). Punakaiki to Franz Josef (one night). Franz Josef to Hokitika (two nights). Every time I drive to the West Coast I daydream about living there. I imagine buying a small place right by the sea and having the sound of thundering waves crashing…
Tasman Two-Day Getaway
Sometimes trips close to home can be just as restful if not better than a big expedition. We love exploring the Tasman region and two of our favourite places to stay are Kimi Ora Eco Resort i(opens in new tab)n Kaiteretere and Golden Bay Lodge in Onekaka. Kimi Ora has epic views towards Kaiteretere Beach…
Abel Tasman National Park (Wilsons Abel Tasman)
Awaiting the start of the next leg of kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park It’s 33 years since I first took a Wilsons Abel Tasman boat from Kaiteriteri into Awaroa armed with enthusiasm and my boyfriend’s tent. John Wilson was the skipper. He was the embodiment of a stern man of the sea, advising us…
Maruia River Retreat (just south of Murchison)
Our story about Maruia River Retreat features in the Winter 2026 edition of World Traveller magazine When is the last time you truly relaxed and let yourself be totally taken care of? When is the last time your mind and your body had a total reset and you were able to be at peace…
Motuara Island (Marlborough Sounds)
Family members gifted us an experience for Christmas a couple of years ago and we finally redeemed it in the form of a half-day trip to Motuara Island with Beachcomber Cruises based in Picton. It was an 7:30am check in but the need for an early morning breakfast and coffee was well catered for by…