Tiffany YoungExplorer

If you're exploring the little city of Mount Maunganui and got a little bit of time on your hand before climbing, well... Mount Maunganui, then take a quick peak to the top of Mount Drury Reserve! Historically, this reserve is famous for its early Maori burial caves. The climb will take an easy 5 minutes up and give you a different view of Mount Maunganui and the harbor.  You can't miss it. It'...

I may be bias, but the Dunedin Botanic Garden has always been one of my favorite places. The city of Dunedin holds a lot of "first" for New Zealand. From hidden corners with little people coming through, to open grassy areas, a bird aviary, duck ponds, winter garden glasshouse, a cafe that makes bangin' hot drinks, and way more -- this was New Zealand's first botanic garden! There are many shor...

NOTE: Track is closed September 1 to October 15 for the lambing season. If you're one of the lucky ones that have time to squeeze Dunedin into your adventure packed road trip around New Zealand... then you obviously have to make time to visit the Otago Peninsula! Sandymount is a stunning reserve that has become one of my favorite sunset destinations. I'm not lying to you when I say this is an i...

Whether you're taking the bus or tram (or even walking) up to the peak - get excited for some serious elevation gain at 554 meters! Victoria Peak is an iconic spot in Hong Kong for visitors to see from above, but also the spot for fitness junkies to get in a workout at the park and run a couple of loops. Once you get to the top of the peak, the trail wraps around the the entire mountain and giv...

If it is your first time backpacking - this is exactly what you're looking for. I'm not joking! Not only was this my first time camping (the night before), but this was also my first backpacking trip. And the tramp is also a great choice for families! Aspiring Hut is in the West Matukituki valley of Mount Aspiring National Park and it will be your perfect weekend get away. Easy tramp, mountains...

Raglan is a small beach town in the North Island just two hours south of Auckland and less than an hour west from Hamilton. Set on the beautiful west coast, get ready for the most relaxed vibes. If you're looking for the idea beginner surf spot, less than 10 minute from town is an awesome black sand beach called Ngarunui Beach. Continuing on Wainui Rd, take a right onto the access road and foll...

Limited time in Egmont National Park? Not up for summiting Taranaki? Well, the hike to Maketawa Hut (via Translator Road) will bring you face to face with Taranaki and offers a gorgeous half day hike. To top if off, if you luckily have a clear day, you'll get to experience the sights of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park, not too far away! It's pretty unreal. ...

If you're traveling in the Northland of New Zealand, you must be going to Cape Reinga, the most northern part of New Zealand. So on the drive up and looking west, the view suddenly changes and boom. Massive sand dunes. Like, it's unreal! Where did they come from? How are they are so big? You know how the signs on the beach usually says, "Please stay off dunes"? Well, you're more than welcome to...

The Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand is pretty famous for it's beaches, but just to the South of it is beautiful Kaiteriteri and it's stunning coastal walks. We parked at Little Kaiteriteri off of Rowling Road and walked to the end of the beach to climb some stairs, to the bluff over to Dummy Bay, then followed the coast onwards to Stephens Bay. This tramp is mostly pretty easy with jus...

Heading to Taupo or Rotorua? Well be sure to make some time for this incredible tramp right off of SH 5 on your way there! Rainbow Mountain is a well maintained track over geothermal activities with amazing views. Give yourself 2.5 to 3 hours time and you'll be rewarded when you reach the summit. The trail starts wide and gravel and becomes clay as you ascend. If the conditions are wet, be very...

This loop follows the blue against the reservoir where it will break off to the left (this is a longer hike ~ 6.3 miles that'll eventually get to the peak), but if you're looking for this short hike, keep following the water side where it will meet the white trail for a short distance. Note: Some of the trail markers aren't very clear with a few unmarked trail as an option. The trail map is a ...

Legend has it, this lake was once cooler. One day, a girl named Kuiarau was bathing and then a taniwha (dragon) dragged her below the lake. Angered, the gods boiled the lake so the taniwha would never return and to this day the lake and the steamy area around it is named after her. You won't miss out on geothermal activity when you're in Rotorua because it's EVERYWHERE. Seriously, you'll get a ...

Want to see Mt Taranaki from a different angle? Get to Lake Mangamahoe during a sunset and see the epic colors take over Taranaki's peaks! Just about a 10 minutes drive on SH 3 south from town - take a left on Kent Rd onto a gravel road. There are a few of parking lots around the lake and they will all take you onto the loop track through native bush around the lake. I unfortunately, didn't hav...

Let's be honest, there's a carpark right in front of the vista, but we can make it fun too! Dunedin is an amazing city and I had the honor of living there for 5 months when I studied at the University of Otago, an area filled with nature and views in walking distance. The location on this adventure is direct to the Signal Hill Lookout carpark, but for an absolutely walkable hike to the lookout,...

The Te Rewa Rewa footbridge in New Plymouth is absolutely beautiful and internationally award winning. Standing over the Waiwhakaiho River (sourcing from Mt Taranaki) and at 70m long, the footbridge looks like something familiar. Is it a whale skeleton? Or is it a breaking wave? Architecture lovers, where you at?! Designed to aline with Mt Taranaki, for an incredible view, it is also representa...

If you're in Rotorua and taking a chill day, definitely check out Sulphur Point in the city centre! A quick and easy walk from the carpark, Sulphur Point is on the Southern end of Lake Rotorua and is a sulfurous area that lies on top of an active geothermal field. Find small mud pools and sulphur vents in this wildlife sanctuary and refuge while getting a good sniff of the air from a mixture of...

If you are on a time crunch and can't do the whole Rainbow Mountain Summit Track, then take 30 minutes (including return) to check out these incredibly beautiful geothermal craters! The carpark will be located literally right off of State Highway 5. Look to the left if you're going south, look right if you're going north! From the carpark, take 10 minutes to walk up the track through beautiful ...

Nelson Lakes National Park is famous for the overnight trip to Lake Angelus Hut, but without the right experience it is a dangerous track. So a simpler alternative is the Mount Robert Circuit which can be done as a day tramp or turn it into an awesome backpacking trip by staying at Bushline Hut. And honestly, if you have an extra day to spare I would highly recommend because ya know... when is ...

Hiking the Dragon's Back was a beautiful experience. Once you get above the bush line, your view goes on for miles. Be in awe of the curving hills and distant skyscrapers with views of the surrounding ocean. This trail is probably one of the most popular hikes in Hong Kong and relatively easy. Just a couple of spots in the beginning and middle that are steep! Dragon's Back is extremely well mai...

The best way to get to Liloan is with your own ride. So if you don't have a car rentals range around 3000 PHP. But if you don't get a car, it's not impossible! Check out how these backpackers did it. A four hour drive from Tacloban City and  just over the Liloan Bridge is a small parking lot to the left that'll be where your boatmen picks you up for a day of straight chillin'. When you rent the...

First, I'd recommend calling the resort ahead of time (+63 977-354-5692) to see if you can reserve a beach cottage. We had rolled up after a two hour drive to find out there were no more cottages available, BUT my roommate and I were two Americans with a Filipino family and for some reason that convinced them to let us use a table under a shade tent. I'd still recommend calling though... From T...

Are you looking for a good stop on the way to Mt. Cook or do you happen to be an astrogeek with a love for space and mountains and overall beautiful nature? The town of Lake Tekapo has everything you need to restock before Mt. Cook with views of the stunning and parallel Lake Tekapo. It is also a great overnight destination for those seeking some epic stargazing. Directions Getting there is eas...

Mount Cook (Aoraki), the highest mountain in New Zealand, lies on the Northern base of Lake Pukaki - this will definitely be good. Getting there all depends on where you're coming from. To start, GPS the Lake Pukaki Information Centre and then explore as you wish. Follow motorway 8 along the South end of the lake for a few different parking spots. Climb some rocks and get blown away (literally,...

In the 20th century when development continued to grow, the refuge was created to provide the elk with an efficient habitat for survival. So today, when you come to visit the refuge - the time of the year you come will impact what you see at the refuge (it's not always just about the elk!) I visited in mid-March. The most important thing is to keep your distant! It's for the safety of you and t...