NZ Tramping

View on Rangitoto Volcano from Sky Tower

Greg Brave — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:30:10 +0000

Actually I included this photo to show that in addition to beautiful nature New Zealand also has big cities with skyscrapers. Actually there are two cities like that – Auckland and Wellington. What you see in this photo is a view from Sky Tower in Auckland. In the distance you can see the beautiful cone of the Rangitoto volcano, and you can take a ferry to it from Auckland.

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View From Mangere Mountain Mangere mountain is among the largest volcanic cones in the...

Tongariro Northern Circuit – Mt. Ngauruhoe

Greg Brave — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:20:43 +0000

This is a view of Mt. Ngauruhoe as seen from the first part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit great walk.

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Tongariro Northern Cirquit View from the famous three days tramp in Tongariro National...

Steve Burling’s NZ Photography Review

Greg Brave — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:38:59 +0000

Good day everybody!

I found Steve Burling’s photographs of New Zealand on one of the photographic sites on the internet, and they caught my attention right away. His compositions and understanding of light are wonderful. And what is also very important is that Steve absolutely loves nature and photography – I can see it from his work. And Steve himself says: “I love to travel and have been doing so for some time and am constantly blown away by how beautiful the world is.” This is what I also feel and it may be the reason why I love his photographs so much.

This first photograph of Waitete Bay was taken on the way north from Coromandel town. It shows how important understanding of light is in photography. The exposure should be just right not to burn the photograph and also to show the darker details in the front. I also like the overall mood of this photograph, which shows calm and beautiful evening.

click on the image to view larger photo

This is the famous Cathedral Cove which lies on the Coromandel east coast near Whitianga, which is the main settlement of Mercury Bay on the North Island of New Zealand. This is one of my favorite photos. It takes me to the land of my dreams, where the sky is blue with white happy clouds and children playing in the water. Technically this photo is also flawlessly executed – the bright back can be seen in all the details while the darker front has also retained its detail.

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Steve calls this photograph of Waiaro Coast a “lucky shot”, but I don’t agree. To make this shot first of all he had to have his camera with him, and when this situation happened, he had to notice it, and find good composition for the photograph. For examle if he didn’t include the trees on the left, the picture would be empty. By the way photographing rainbow with polarizing filter it is possible to emphasize it even more.

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This photo was taken on Whangapoua Beach (also located at Coromandel Peninsula, North Island) on early morning. So if you ask yourself what do you have to do to take such a beautiful photo, I can tell you that you have to get up very, Very early in the moring, take tripod with you and come to the beach. Then, provided that sun in your country rises from the sea, and you have something interesting to place in the photo besides water, you have a slight chance of catching this quality of light. Of course it doesn’t happen every morning and lasts only for a very short time.

click on the image to view larger photo

For the last photo of my review I chose a slightly different photograph. This photographs proves once again that Steve is just natural photographer. Even if it is not nature he photographs, he manages to find an interesting aspect or view of the photographed subject. This time he obviously wanted to photgraph the famous Auckland’s Sky Tower, but he chose to do it in a very creative way by capturing its interesting reflection in one of the near buildings.

click on the image to view larger photo

In conclusion I can say that viewing Steve’s photographs inspired me to go out there and take photographs, it gave me ideas of what can be done with camera, and hinted about the endless possibilities of photography.

If you liked these photographs, you can find more on Steve’s website: steveburling.zenfolio.com

Steve is also kindly contributed the photo of Whangapoua Beach in high resolution for free download as a wallpaper.

Thank you Steve for sharing your beautiful work with me and my readers!

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Trounson Forest

Greg Brave — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:18:51 +0000

This photo was taken at Trounson Forest which is a 450 ha forest reserve a few km south of Aranga in Northland.

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West Coast of the South Island

Greg Brave — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:37:56 +0000

Some of the West Coast’s attractions are majestic mountains, sparse population, and beautiful, crystal clear lakes. West Coast is isolated from the rest of the South Island by the Southern Alps. It contains the largest area of protected land in whole New Zealand. New Zealand’s only source of jade is found on the west coast. Main towns of the West Coast are Greymouth, Westport and Hokitika. Each town has its own unique character and rich history. For the scenery, which is one of the most spectacular in New Zealand, head to the Westland Glacier Country and visit Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers.

I recommend taking a TranzAlpine train from Christchurch (on the East Coast) to Greymouth – this ride is just magical… I have no other words for it. Train goes through Arthur’s Pass National Park, which is in my opinion one of the most beautiful places on the South Island.

Short list of places on the West Coast that I recommend to visit:

Lake Brunner
West Coast beaches (especially at sunset)
Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers
Pancake Rocks and blowholes – world famous place
Cape Foulwind Seal Colony - Photo

Of course there are much more to do on the West Coast of the South Island of NZ, here I picked my favorites. In my next post I’ll write about walking tracks on the West Coast.

West Coast Facts

Average summer temperature is 19.5 degrees Celsius.
Average winter temperature is 12.5 degrees Celsius.
There is average of 1845 sunshine hours per year.
Annual rainfall is 2575mm.

South Island Easy Access Walks – Part 3 As it turns out there are still more easy access...
Westland National Park This is the areal view of Westland National Park. We...
Easy Access Walks of the South Island of New Zealand Until now if I wrote a description of a walk...

Greg Is Back

Greg Brave — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:22:10 +0000

Good day to everybody who was patiently waiting for my return!
And, as I promised, I return to writing for my blog, which is as you know, all about New Zealand and its magnificent Nature.

I decided to start with my traditional Photo-Of-The-Week, and as a “compensation” for my long absence I will also offer this photo for free download at my Free Wallpaper Download section.

click on the image to view larger photo

I took this photo at sunset on Pekapeka beach, which is a small seaside locality on the Kapiti Coast of New Zealand’s North Island. In the right-center you can see the silhouette of the Kapiti Island. Kapiti Island is a birds sanctuary – it is home to native birds such as takahe, kokako, brown teal, stitchbirds, and tieke (saddleback), miromiro, piwakawaka, ruru, weka (hybrid of North and South Island subspecies), hihi, and toutouwai. The Brown Kiwi and Little Spotted Kiwi were released on the island between 1890 and 1910, and the island is now the stronghold for them.

Kapiti Island New Zealand Kapiti Island lies about 5km off the west coast of...
Kiwi found in the Opuiaki Forest These news are very exciting for all Kiwi fans of...

Don’t Despair

Greg Brave — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:32:12 +0000

Good day to everyone!
You must have noticed that I didn’t write for a while. I had several personal issues, and I also was on vacation – spent 11 days in Greece!
And now I am moving NZ Tramping to a new hosting.
So I please bear with me for a couple more days, and I promise you to get back to writing here!
And until then – take care!

Kia Ora.

Taranaki – The Garden of New Zealand

GregBrave — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:17:37 +0000

Taranaki is a region in the west of New Zealand’s North Island, which is named after its main feature – Mount Taranaki (also known as Mt Egmont). The main center of the Taranaki region is the city of New Plymouth.

I found a very beautiful description of Taranaki in a tourist brochure, which I would like to bring here, so all the credit goes to the writers.

Taranaki has been labeled the “Garden of New Zealand” since pioneering times, and for very good reason. Rich volcanic soils and equable climate, blessed with both high sunshine hours and plenty of rain, combine to create conditions that cultivate a huge range of plants within its temperate – often subtropical – atmosphere.

The region has also earned that reputation the hard way – through pioneering grit, determination and plenty of work. The region now enjoys ten out of 31 Gardens of National Significance around New Zealand, along with several Gardens of regional significance.

Lake at Pukekura Gardens, New Plymouth. Photo by Sandy Austin

Add to the gardens the myriad of walkways – through bush, farmland, forests, wetlands, by rivers, lakes and sea, on the mountain and through pioneering towns and villages – and it’s clear that Taranaki is a nature-lover’s paradise.

Mt Taranaki and Egmont National Park offer more than 180km of tracks, and the New Plymouth coastal walkway provides 7km of paved boardwalk passing several beaches, playgrounds, stone sculptures and the 45m Len Lye kinetic windwand.

Mount Egmont. Photo by PhillipC

The White cliffs walkway in North Taranaki is highly popular in the summer months, whilst Matemateonga walkway in East Taranaki can be incorporated with an adrenalin-fueled Whanganui river jetboat ride.

If you’re into golfing, Taranaki has courses catering for all skill levels scattered throughout the region. Twelve top golf courses are all playable 12 months of the year, and all are a maximum of just one hour’s drive from New Plymouth of Hawera.

For more information about Taranaki region visit: www.taranaki.co.nz

South Island Easy Access Walks – Part 3

GregBrave — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:45:11 +0000

As it turns out there are still more easy access walks on South Island, and this is the third post in which I continue describing additional walks. You can read first post here and the second post here.

Today I will concentrate on the West Coast of the South Island.

1. Seal Colony Walk, Cape Foulwind
Located 12 km south of Westport this walk goes near densely populated seal colony and also presents a wonderful views of the coast. From mid-November you will be able to see seal pups. This walk is about 400 meters of gravel surface with some gentle climbs. Suitable for wheelchairs.

2. Colls Dam Walk, Nelson Creek
This is a 1860′s gold mining site with good examples of tail races, tunnels and water races, in addition to a dramatic lookout above the historic dam. This walk is 1.2 kilometers long (takes about 1 hour to complete). Location – 29 km north of Greymouth, Gows Creek Rd car park. Suitable for mountain buggies and walkers but not wheelchairs.

3. Dolomite Point Walk, Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki
Located at Punakaiki Village this is one of the most popular walks of the south island. It goes through nikau palms to viewing platforms and shows the amazing limestone layers. Watch waves force water up blowholes creating powerful geysers and dramatic noises at high tide. This walk is fully accessible with no impediments apart from single path with no wheelchair access (signposted). Length – 900 meters.

4. Rakaitane Walk, Arnold River Bridge
View Lake Brunner from the bridge then walk to a little sandy beach. Beautiful podocarp forest lines the track.
Length – 1.1km/30 min. Location: Anua St, Moana on Lake Brunner, southeast of Greymouth. Accessible for wheelchairs.

Lake Brunner. photo by Thomas Cuelho

5. Tawhai Walk, Tawhai picnic area
Enjoy a short walk through mature tawhai forest with ferns and many native birds, including the rare kakariki (parakeet). Located on SH7 south of Reefton this walk is only 235 meters long accessible for wheelchairs. But keep in mind that toilets there have no wheelchair access.

6. Kahikatea Walk, Lake Kaniere
This walk features towering kahikatea trees and views of Mt Tuhua and the lake. Listen for kakariki, kaka, robin and bellbird. Location – 19km east of Hokitika, Lake Kaniere Rd. Start at the Sunny Bight picnic area. Accessible for wheelchair.

Lake Kaniere. photo by Andrew Turner

I hope you enjoy these easy but very beautiful walks and spend a great day outdoors!

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South Island Easy Access Walks – Part 2

GregBrave — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:11:34 +0000

This is the second post, in which I will continue to describe some of walks that easily accessible for people with limited physical abilities. You can read the first post here

This time it will be all about Canterbury region.

There are three great easy access short walks at Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, and though they are not accessible for wheelchair, they are good for mountain buggies and walkers.

1. Hooker Valley Walk (to lookout)
Located at Hooker Valley Road, before Mt Cook village, and begins at the visitor center. Though only about 900 meters (30 min) long, it is a popular walk to the Alpine Memorial lookout with great views of the Southern Alps when clear.

2. Mt Cook Village Paths
This walk around red tussock lined paths, with superb views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps, is about 2km long. Its surface is sealed, packed gravel and some gentle slopes. One path has steps.

3. Kea Point Walk
This is the longest walk among the three – 3.5 km (can take up to 1.5 hours to complete). Starts at White Horse Hill campground at Hooker Valley Rd, before Mt Cook Village. This walk has gravel and steep slopes and goes through sub-alpine grasslands to the Mueller Glacier moraine wall formed in 1913. The walk includes information panels about kea and, when it’s clear, ends with wonderful mountain views.

Walks at Athur’s Pass National Park

photo by Dave Apple

Old Coach Road Walk
Located 6 km south of Arthur’s Pass Village it is a pleasant forest walk, which follows a century-old coach road that was cut into the hillside to avoid the flood prone Bealey River. Old rock wall remnants are still visible.
This walk is 1.1 kilometers long, which will take you about 40 minutes to complete. The surface is gravel, sealed and boardwalk. Suitable both for wheelchairs and mountain buggies and walkers.

photo by Wendy Schotsmans

More about Easy Access Walks in my next posts, and until then, take care!

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Stewart Island New Zealand part 2 – Walks About 275 kilometers (170.88 miles) of walking tracks cover the...