Noosa National Park Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia November 22, 2023 Noosa National Park Coastal Hike Noosa is born from the aboriginal word "Noothera" or "Gnuthuru", in the Kabi Kabi language meaning shadow. Hike Details: Approx 9km, roundtrip Approx 3-4 hours Grade 4 We did the Coastal Walk hike in...
Crikey! It Was Amazing! On November 18, 2023 we ticked off a Bucket List item and a dream came true…we visited the Australian Zoo, the legacy and heritage of the one and only, Steve Irwin: The Crocodile Hunter! Some fun facts we learned: #1: The wildlife park was not as it is today, it originally was founded as a...
Auckland Zoo…We Met Kiwi & Taz! Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand October 25, 2023 Mission & Values: We share our love for wild places and wild life. Ka aroha nui ki ngā wāhi puihi, ki ngā kararehe puihi hoki. We are conservation optimists. Whakanuia te taiao. We are all kaitiaki (guardians) of the Zoo and the...
We took the bus out to Cornwall Park, mainly to walk up to One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie), a high point (yes, another old volcano) south of Auckland city center. It's a paved path, so the walk is fairly easy. A large obelisk sits atop the hill - a memorial to Maori. The walk up is kinda cool because the lower trail...
The International Antarctic Center 38 Orchard Road Christchurch, 8052 NZ October 9, 2023 'See it. Love it. Save it.' Quoting directly from the International Antarctic Centre website: Christchurch is one of five cities in the world known as a ‘gateway to Antarctica.’ This is far more than an empty title. The garden city...
Christchurch Botanic Gardens Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch Central City Christchurch 8013, New Zealand October 2, 2023 In the middle of the city is a beautiful park and gardens. Hagley Park encompasses 2.5 acres with 10 carefully cultivated gardens. Our other post, Cherry Blossoms in Christchurch, NZ, shows the park...
We stopped in Timaru for the evening on our way back from Dunedin to Christchurch. After dinner, we walked through a small park to the harbor, where little blue penguins were rumored to nest. After having no luck in Omaru and Dunedin, our expectations were kinda low. It didn't help that the temperatures were in the...
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve 60 Hussey Road, Harewood Christchurch 8051, New Zealand September 17, 2023 What an awesome adventure we had exploring this wildlife reserve in Christchurch. It was founded by the Willis Family over 40 years ago and remains in the family today. They have maintained 3 goals while in operation:...
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne….Takahe to Me Baby! Karori, Wellington, New Zealand September 8, 2023 Did you know… Prior to the arrival of humans, Aotearoa (New Zealand) was isolated and unique. Without any mammalian predators, this ecosystem was home to some of the most remarkable flora and fauna that had ever evolved. Many...
New Zealand: Owhiro Bay/Pariwhero Red Rocks & Fur Seals We walked one of the wildest parts of Wellington's southern coast at the Te Kopahou Reserve in Owhiro Bay out to Pariwhero/Red Rocks, passing through Devils Gate and ending at Sinclair Head to see the fur seals. This coastal walk is breathtaking, taking us over...