Find all of our blogs below! Including road trips, travel destinations, tips and vanlife experiences
… click on the links to read the full blogs!
- THAT’S VANLIFE!! DONT WATCH ME EMPTY MY POO!?
Haha! Yeah funny title… but so true! In this vlog we finish off our coastal Bay of Plenty tour! We stay at the beautiful Papamoa Beach Holiday Park, we visit the Mural town of Katikati and we visit the seaside areas of Ōmokoroa and Tahawai. - REMOTE BUSH CAMP & STUNNING BEACH CAMPS
In this vlog we’re still exploring the beautiful Bay of Plenty, going down muddy roads to remote bush camps and chilling out at some epic beach camps! - EPIC NEW ZEALAND COASTLINE
Are you ready for some seriously epic footage of the speckie Bay of Plenty coastline!! 🌊 In this episode of Tasman Travels we unwind and catch-up with friends, at mesmerising Matatā. Blink and you’ll miss it! 🌅 🍷 ⛺️ We tiki tour around culturally beautiful Whakatāne and hop over the hill for some downtime in Ohope! Bliss! #beachbums - TWO DAYS IN TAURANGA
Kia ora koutou! In this video we spend two days and two nights in Tauranga, in the beautiful Bay of Plenty. We check out one of the oldest house in Aotearoa New Zealand, at The Elms Te Papa Tauranga, we get very wet at Waimarino Adventure Park, fall in love with a goat and more at Marshalls Animal Park and chase a few waterfalls around McLaren Falls Park. - RAIN INSIDE OUR VAN!?
Yep! That’s right! Mortifying! Rain! Leaks! Holes!!! In our van!!! Awful!!😢😖🚐 💦 On the flip side though we did discover beautiful Mount Maunganui! What a glorious coastline!! And the Mount Hot Pools is a must do! 🏝️ ⛰️ - FROM FARM TO FOREST
This vlog concludes our time in beautiful Rotorua! We discover the ultimate farm experience Agrodome, we wander through the majestic Redwoods Forest, we have a night to remember at Mitai Village and we soak in the sights of the SPECTACULAR Hamurana Springs - JAM PACKED ROTORUA
We’ve got a jam packed vlog for you this time!! Checking out a different sort of art gallery and a first for New Zealand! Experiencing the beauty and magic at Te Puia and throwing ourselves down a hill, in a ball full of water…. Ha! - BATTERY UPGRADE & HELLS GATE
In this episode we finally upgrade our house batteries and its awesome!! We head straight to AA Solar, based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, they’re really good to deal with, check them out here https://aasolar.co.nz In this episode we also revisit an absolutely gem of a spot, Hell’s Gate. We check out a great little kiwi motor camp and chase some waterfalls! - SECRET HOT POOLS & LAKESIDE 25
Check it out folks! Still galavanting around awesome Rotorua!!! It really is the adventure capital of Te Ika-a-Māui, the North Island! Perhaps Rotorua’s best kept secret, in this episode we discover some beautiful hidden hot pools with Rotoiti Water Shuttles, we highly recommend getting on that! We stay at the perfectly located and lovely, Holdens Bay Holiday Park! We have an awesome time at Lakeside 25!! Chuurr! Thanks for watching!! If you’ve seen our awesome VanMade Gear window blinds, and want your own, click here https://vanmadegear.com/?ref=pBc-5HHOFirGRF - LAKEFRONT CAMPING, VOLCANO AFTERMATH
Check out our vlog below! In this episode we check out a couple of epic Rotorua lakefront campgrounds! And we immerse ourselves in the volcanic history of Mount Tarawera by visiting the Buried Village of Te Wairoa and the stunning Waimangu Volcanic Valley! We’re now around 6 months into our road trip and this vlogging, we’re loving it!! Thanks so much for your support and watching our episodes, we really appreciate it! Blue & Green Lakes Waimangu Valley The Buried Village - EPIC LAKES & LIVING MĀORI VILLAGE
CHECK OUT OUR VLOG BELOW FOR THIS ONE! This time we’re splashing down into three epic lakes with Rotorua Duck Tours and are awe-inspired at Whakawerawera, The Living Māori Village. - WORLD CLASS IN ROTORUA
World Class Rotorua!! Isn’t it just!! In this episode, we check out two world class experiences right in the heart of Rotorua! We throw ourselves out of trees and have a right giggle at Rotorua Canopy Tours and are truly mesmerised at a very special evening showcasing a uniquely Māori celebration of culture and cuisine with Te Pā Tū! - SPRINGS & SPAS: ROTORUA
It’s a Rotorua Mini-Series!!! In this episode we begin our tour of beautiful Rotorua checking out some epic natural springs, setup base camp at an awesome NZMCA Park and enjoy every moment of a well deserved Polynesian Spa day! We love Rotorua and are so happy to finally share our time there with you! SOME SHOTS… - MIGHTY WAIKATO RIVER CAMPING
In this episode we take some time out and find some tranquil spots, freedom camping along the MIGHTY WAIKATO RIVER! We also take a side-trip out to the marvellous Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, a day out not to be missed!! SOME SNAPS! - ROAD TRIP AROUND CAMBRIDGE
In this episode we continue exploring the Waikato region surrounding Cambridge. We take off in Te Awamutu and the amazing Space Centre. We discover a unique Tree Church in Ohaupo, we search for Olympians in Cambridge and check out some cool bush walks! SOME SNAPS! - WAITOMO CAVES
In this episode we explore the Waitomo Cave Region! We visit the spectacular Ruakuri cave, we find some wicked bushwalks, we happen upon the Kiwiana town of Ōtorohanga and the sheep shearing capital of the world! SOME SNAPS! - WAIKATO WEST COAST WANDERLUST
In this episode we continue to meander down the dreamy Waikato west coast, whilst taking in some breathtaking scenery! We discover the best hot springs on a beach, an awesome roadside camp and stunning and remote Te Waitere! SOME SNAPS… - ROUGH ROADS, EPIC REWARDS
We absolutely love the dramatic, and beautiful West coastline of the mighty Waikato!! This time we take a pretty scary road to get to an epic black sand beach, check out some awesome classic kiwi motor camps and explore lovely Kāwhia! Chasing some waterfalls on the way! CHECK OUT OUR VLOG FOR THIS ONE BELOW! SOME SNAPS… - ROAD TRIP TO RAGLAN
Carrying on our Waikato tour we stumble across possibly the best low cost campground in the Waikato, get inventive with left over awning bits and spend some time exploring the beautiful Raglan coast line! Check it out!! SOME RAGLAN SNAPS… - A RURAL WAIKATO ROADTRIP
In this episode we explore rural Waikato! We start in Ngāruawāhia, home to the first Māori King! We hike the awesome Hakarimata Summit Track. We have a great time at Cornerstone Alpaca Farm and finish the day at a historic homestead and beautiful gardens. CHECK OUR OUR VLOG FOR THIS ONE BELOW! SOME SNAPS… - A WEEKEND IN HAMILTON ‘ THE TRON’
WATCH OUR VLOG BELOW Straddling the mighty Waikato River, Hamilton is a city of rich diversity, from its thriving cultural precincts, lush gardens and sweeping parklands, to award winning eateries, vibrant nightlife and colourful street art. We began our Hamilton Kirikiriroa weekend hunkering down from cyclone Gabrielle in the Classics Museum Car Park! Luckily it was not too bad and in the morning the rain did continue but not for too long! The car park is massive, they do charge $15 a night to stay which is quite expensive … - CALM BEFORE THE STORM
WATCH OUR VLOG BELOW This was our last leg of the Coromandel! We continued to travel down the east coast from Tairua to Waihi, just before cyclone Gabrielle sets it! We began in Tairua which is a lovely picturesque holiday town. We found a brilliant freedom camping spot right next to the water. We found the camp named ‘Paku Drive Carpark’ the NZMCA app. In the morning we walked from the camp to the start of the Mount Paku Summit walk! There were lots of steps but as it … - HOT WATER ON A BEACH?
THE COROMANDEL In this Coromandel episode we continue down the east coast of the peninsula and reach the famous Hot Water Beach! We stay at the giant Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park and wake up at 4am to dig ourselves a hot pool on the beach! We then explore other pristine Coromandel beaches… - CATHEDRAL COVE & AWNING DISASTER
THE COROMANDEL Continuing our Coromandel journey we finally reach the absolutely beautiful Cathedral Cove/Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve and it doesn’t disappoint! We tag along with Cathedral Cove Kayaks and have an awning disaster at the awesome Cooks Beach Resort! Check it out! - SOGGY WEATHER, SILLY ANIMALS
THE COROMANDEL In this episode we continue to explore the stunning east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula despite the rain! From the beautiful beachside towns of Matarangi, Kūaotunu, and Whitianga to some hilarious animals and cool wine tasting! - THE BEST BEACH IN THE WORLD?!
VOTED AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 BEACHES IN THE WORLD!!! Right here in New Zealand! And its a beauty!!! NEW CHUMS BEACH! What do you think? The Coromandel is proving to be a MUST DO TRIP here in Aotearoa New Zealand and despite the ever-changing weather, we’re loving it! Check it out!! - ZIPLINES & SHELLY BEACHES
In this episode, we hit funky Coromandel Town, we visit Driving Creek for some amazing zip-lining, and we relax at the lovely but wet Shelly Beach. Lastly we take a day trip out to the scenic Colville area! - ULTIMATE RIVER CAMPING – COROMANDEL FOREST
Explore a large valley furnished with rivers, waterfalls and native forest… This beautiful area of Coromandel Forest includes 21 walking tracks ranging from 20 minute strolls to rewarding overnight trails. Administered by the Department of Conservation, Kauaeranga Valley is an ideal playground for hikers, mountain bikers and nature lovers CHECK OUT OUR EPISODE FOR THIS BLOG BELOW! 🙂 After having explored the wonderful and historical town of Thames, we ventured inland towards the mountains & forest for some bush camping along the beautiful and pristine Kauaeranga River! This journey … - THE TOWN OF THAMES PĀRĀWAI
A historical & crafty town nestled between the the Firth of Thames and the majestic ranges of the Coromandel. WATCH OUR VLOG EPISODE ON THAMES PĀRĀWAI BELOW After leaving the Seabird Coast & Paeroa we drove north and arrived at the picturesque town of Thames Pārāwai. First on our list was to visit the lookout over the town, where there is a WW1 Memorial Monument. This viewpoint gives great perspective over the town and surrounding hills. SATURDAY MARKET As we arrived on a Saturday, we were lucky to stumble … - THE COROMANDEL – THE SEABIRD COAST & HAURAKI PLAINS
CATCH OUR VIDEO FOR THIS JOURNEY BELOW! After leaving the Hunua Ranges (just beautiful) and being in the bush for a few days, we decided to head to the coast to catch some rays and rest 😉 This journey would be the first leg of our fantastic Coromandel Trip! ‘The coast between Kaiaua and Miranda is wild and open and stunning. The vast salt marshes attract thousands of migratory wading birds for summer every year, and a bright white shell bank chenier plain rims the shoreline…’ KAIAUA Our first …Read more “THE COROMANDEL – THE SEABIRD COAST & HAURAKI PLAINS”
- WHAT’S SOUTH OF AUCKLAND? PART 2
Check out our Video Episode for this journey below! HAMILTON’S GAP / WAIMATUKU After leaving Āwhitu Regional Park, we noticed on WikiCamps there was an awesome beach and freedom camp on the west coast of the peninsula that we should check out. Waimatuku means ‘the waters of the matuku’. The matuku (bittern) is a swamp-dwelling bird memorialised in place names and maunga across the region. This reserve was once home to many of these matuku. If you love going off-road or playing on big sand dunes, then this is …
… Only a few blogs so far and many more to come…
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