The Hauraki Rail Trail (Part 1), Cycling in New Zealand

New Zealand has some great rail trails. Cycling them is the main reason we are drawn back here again and again. It is also the only reason we tolerate the hassle and aggravation of flying our bicycles across the Tasman Sea from Sydney.

(For my blog post on our first experience flying bikes to New Zealand click - here).

What is a rail trail: - 

Rail trails are disused railway lines which have been converted into walking, cycling and, sometimes, horse riding tracks.  The rails are removed, new surfaces put down

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, New Zealand

"You want to see what!"

David lifts his eyes from the newspaper and peers at me across the breakfast table.

"Mud," I am trying to sound convincing here.

"Mud," he repeats.


"Yes, boiling mud," I can see I have a long way to go. We seem to be in different universes at the moment.

Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium, Auckland, New Zealand

Antarctica is at the top of my bucket list. I have a thing about penguins. The trouble is; David hates cruises and I get sea-sick on the Manly Ferry. Much as D indulges my every travel whim (see 'Wishlist' for the danger in this) I have to face it - Antarctica just isn't going to happen.

I've seen lots of Little Blue and Yellow-eyed penguins in the wild. I have been to King Island, in Bass strait and watched in total isolation while Fairy penguins come ashore by their hundreds - but I had never seen a large penguin.

Cue Plan B - Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium in Auckland has King penguins - lots of them.   King penguins stand about 90 cm (3 ft) tall.

Riding the rapids with Tongariro River Rafting: Taupo, New Zealand.

We are staying at Lake Taupo, in the North Island of New Zealand.

David doesn't like water and is not a strong swimmer.  Persuading him to join me on a whitewater rafting trip wasn't easy. The fact that he not only did it but loved it is a testament