Tairua

When I was younger my cousins often went to Tairua on their summer holidays and would tell us about their great times. I had never been there, and so when I saw the sign for it on my way up the Coromandel Peninsula I decided to stop in for a looksee. It was great. Climbed up the top of Paku Hill and took photos of the scenery - could see Pauanui from the top.

Catlins

Had an awesome day travelling between Dunedin and invercargill, stopping in this rugged wilderness area known as the Catlins which one of my friends had told me about when she was studying down at Otago. Brilliant. We went to McLean Falls, a lighthouse, Kaka Point, Porpoise Bay, Lake Wilkie, and to see a petrified fossilized forest. Got to see sealions, little penguins and a varying assortment of seabirds. I need to go back some other time and hire a car so I can stop wherever I want. Found out some of my ancestors settled in southland at a little place called Tapanui, just north of Gore, so need to check that out too.

Tongariro Attempt 1

My aunty, friend and I went to Tongariro to do the crossing. Unfortunately we were turned back a quarter of the way into it due to my aunty hurting her ankle, and also gale force wind conditions further up the mountain. It was misty and horrible, but we still had a great time. Will be returning later to attempt to finish the hike.