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So what's all this about then?
Hello, we are the Rays, Craig, Rachel and Myles our son. In September 2007 we started out on a trip / holiday of discovery to travel through New Zealand in order to find out more about the country, the people and its culture. After spending all our lives in the UK we are eager to find out if our lives could be better in another country? Is New Zealand somewhere we could emigrate to - we will endeavor to find this out along the way, and will record our thoughts and feelings of New Zealand and what we think it has to offer.
In the process of putting this blog together we have decided also to try and bring together lots of information on the different regions, towns and cities of New Zealand. Information on immigration, travel, places to stay etc. We also plan to produce a weekly podcast featuring some of the people we meet on our travels. All of this, in the hope that this site will become a valuable resource for others to find out more about New Zealand.
We booked our flights - made the trip of a lifetime and gathered our thoughts, feelings, photos and videos. Feel free to travel along with us!
Hiya Pete, Jo and April - great to hear from you! - drop us an email by contact us link at bottom of this page - we'll see u soon - hugs to all Rach n the boys xxx"
- Rach
Hi Guys ,
hope you are all well , it seems an age since you left on your travels.
I tried the e mail address but it did'nt work for some reason.
Love to you all . Pete , Jo and April."
- Peter Goode
Stunning pics guys! You so know how to capture the spirit of a moment."
- Sarah
Hi Kelli
Just send us an email: hello@onewaynewzealand.com and we'll reply
good luck with the move - Rach :-))"
- Rach
Hello, is there anyway to write to you? We are about to make a move to NZ and it would be great to speak with you. Please let me know. Thank you."
- Kelli
So do we - you'll be here before we all know it sista - hugs to ya both Rx"
- Rach
Lovely photos sis. Wish we could have been there too."
- Tracey
What precious and fun memories to hold on tight to till the next time. Can't believe you captured all that on film! It was lovely to meet your Mum whilst she was here and so pleased you got to share so many special moments together."
- Sarah
I need to get Craig round to give Dan some lessons! Awesome work on the planter box, which is no doubt over flowing with goodies by now - yummy!"
- Sarah
One of your best Craig! Anna and Myles are gorgeous together and look to be very good friends. What a fabulous piece of footage, to beautiful music and that view is always breathtaking."
- Sarah
Chariot Carrier
Myles's chariot! What a fantastic piece of kit. Bought this in the US after seeing it in Canada. It's a stroller, an off road buggy with suspension, a cycle trailer and you can even put skis on it! Wouldn't go anywhere without it - You can find out more and see it in action here
Our Travel Insurance
Used World Nomads for our annual policy for quite a while - They were recommended by Lonely Planet and Rob (Our global travelling friend!) also uses them - Good enough for him then it's good enough for us! Not sure if they are the cheapest but you do get what you pay for.
Get a quote online
Canon Camera
We use a Canon Ixus camera for all the photos and videos on the site. The size and quality is unbeatable - a great travelling stills and video camera in one! We got ours from Amazon because of their good returns policy and the online reviews from other users-Amazon reviews on this camera
Car Hire Worldwide
We've used loads of car hire companies over the years and we keep on coming back to auto-europe. They are usually the cheapest worldwide and the price includes all insurance / CDW etc,
www.auto-europe.com
Leatherman Wave
Brilliant multi-tool. Built like a tank and small enough to fit anywhere. Wouldn't leave home without it - Got us out of a few 'sticky' situations.
We got ours from Ready To leave.com
We decided to take a drive along the Whangarei Heads out towards Ocean Beach. The scenery on the drive was breathtaking. We passed by rolling hills covered in spring flowers, tiny coves with beach huts and batches, native bush and pine clad hills before reaching Ocean Beach itself. We parked up in some shade as the sun was a little fierce today and walked down to the beach along a sand dune lined pathway.
We had already done a trip up to the nothland to see the largest know kauri - It was a nice way to spend an hour or so and we were expecting this to be a similar - but it wasn't! - This place is fabulous! - There are several routes you can take through native bush, past streams and brooks, through raised wooden walkways suspended between the kauri trees. It's only a couple of minutes from the road and the outer urban edge of Whangarei but you could be in the middle of nowhere. The sounds of the birds tweeting, the water trickling and the wind rustling through the leaves was almost meditative
Myles and Anna were in their element playing in the sand. Anna was on bucket filling duties - and Myles was on sand castle squashing duties. We all chatted about everything and nothing, listened to the sound of the sea and soaked up the late afternoon sun. What a perfect end to a perfect day.
We decide to go to the beach in the afternoon - which leaves us plenty of time to visit the kiwi house at Whangarei Museum. We all bundle into the two cars - spark up the trusty GPS and head out into Whangarei.
We found the little earth lodge through the BBH guide It's a wonderful place to base yourself if you want to explore Whangarei and the surrounding areas. It's only around 6km outside of the centre of Whangarei but you could be in the middle of nowhere once you're there.
The Waipoua Forest was bought from the Maori in 1876 for a little over 2 thousand pounds. At the time it covered approximately 80 km². It’s home to the oldest and larget known kauri tree in New Zealand. The kauri tree does not grow that tall but it’s gerth is a sight to behold.
We wake after a refreshing nights sleep, grab a fresh juice from Kings Street, pack up and head out of Paihia for a quick loop, driving up to see the oldest known kauri tree in New Zealand at Waipoua Forest and then returning to Whangarei via Hokianga harbour and Dargaville. We’re meeting up with Pete, Sara and Anna who are coming up from Auckland for a few days.
This another cultural visit to the first settlers town in New Zealand, which was once not so quaint as in the ‘old days’ it used to harbour all manner of drunks and criminals, before the Brits sent over a chap to keep the peace! The ferry leaves from the pier in Paihia and only takes around 15-20 mins to head across the bay - Myles was fascinated by the patterns in the wake behind the boat. The boat was only smallish - but large enough to relax and move between the upper and lower decks. Like everywhere else in NZ - there were recycling facilities on board also!
Yes and so I’ve just realized I’ve not spoken about this place. Well it’s kind of sleepy but with a subtle party backpacker atmosphere that Craig and me were warming to, so much so that Craig said when Myles is old enough to go backpacking himself we are going to cramp his style and do some of the party circuit ourselves! I said you better start thinking of the ‘go granddad’ comments that he is likely to get off the whippersnappers and we giggled and thought boy!!!!
After we wake up and have our daily juice fix on the sea front we walk the 3k’s to here where the famous Treaty of Waitangi between the Brits and The Maori was signed back in 1840.
We made our way over to Auckland’s eastern bays - a series of beaches and communities spreading out from the city along a great road that hugs the coast - There is a cycle path the whole distance full of joggers, cyclists and people out walking their dogs and children! We headed for the furthest - St Heliers bay
On our journey north from Auckland we spot a sign by the roadside for a cafe - not unusual in itself, but the cafe was a real find. If you do go past you should definitely take some time out and call in here. The Base Nature 'cafe' is a great mix of art, food, events and people. Check out their website at http://www.basenature.co.nz.
We arrive at Pete & Sara’s in Blockhouse Bay after dropping Rob at the backpackers in central Auckland. We plan on staying a couple of days with them before heading off to the Northland. Pete & Sara have been so much fun to stay with and Myles loves Anna. We arrive late in the afternoon and get an early night after our lack of sleep the previous night in Taupo!
Before we know it we are at Taupo. The lake here is the largest fresh water lake in the southern hemisphere! We stop on the roadside for a break and take some great shots across the lake
The drive on the way up to Taupo takes us on the famous Desert Road. On the way down the weather was horrendous and we could barely see a thing so when Tracey had said on the phone to me ‘wow what about that volcano hey!
This is one of Wellingtons best kept secrets (well it used to be before Lord Of The Rings!). Near the suburb of Seatoun, it's a perfect place to visit when the wind isn't up to speed and the sun is shining
We spend our afternoon down on the beach at Oriental Bay. It’s a fabulous place to hang out and let Myles have a run around. It’s so great having a beach like this in the centre of the city, 2 minutes from the Te Papa and 5 from the hotel!
The last time we were in Wellington we attempted a visit the Te Papa but is was in full swing with a Maori ‘fest’, which looked amazing but was a little too noisy for Myles. Anyway, this time it was calm and inviting and Myles just loved every second of it. It’s an amazing building perched on the water front and is a magical mixture of exhibits and discoveries
After the ferry journey we take some time to stretch our legs in Cuba Street and the main shopping district.
Rather than passing through. We stayed a couple of days in Picton and didn't regret it.
Our last few hours in Akaroa are spend watching the wonderful light fade over the misty bay.
A wander along the waterfront by the pier past the Mediterranean water font shops, cafes and bars
Our first few hours in Akaroa are spent around the main high street, harbour front, parks and gardens.|
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