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INSIDE & MORE Lots of great stories and adventure inside
EXPERIENCE NEVER STOP THE JOURNEY OLYMPUS
MOUNTAIN BIKING UP THE MACAULAY with Adventurer Hollie Woodhouse
FEATURE REAL MIDDLE EARTH AT LAKE OHAU QUARTERS
By RACHEL GILLESPIE
6 WAYS TO SEE NZ LIKE A LOCAL
EN ROUTE WITH RINA RINA SJARDIN-THOMPSON
ADVENTURE Brando Yelavich Wildboy Adventures
21-24 June - Queenstown Winter Festival CLICK TO WATCH BELOW
FREE AND TICKED EVENTS
RACHEL GILLESPIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Tekapo New Zealand, Images Abound Photography
This is Real Middle Earth
Lake Ohau Quarters by Rachel Gillespie
“The trips I have taken to the Quarters have been so much fun. with friends, exploring the mountains and lakeside, shooting some pretty epic photos, and also it’s a place that has the most incredible dark skies for astrophotography. ” Talking with Mel Ainge and Mark Black The road into Lake Ohau is one of those drives that makes you feel like you are heading to the end of the earth, and you kind of are! At the top of the lake is Lake Ohau Station and situated on the station is the beautiful Lake Ohau Quarters. I have been lucky to stay a few times and for me it is one of those epic places that is hard to describe, you just need to go there to feel it’s magnificence. A few weeks ago I took some of my photography crew up there for a week of true bliss and peaceful adventure. Surrounded by huge mountains the lake was once a large glacier, the vibe of the area is strong and the scenery is some of the best you will ever see. There are so many things you can do in the area which makes it even more inviting, one
of my favourite spots is the Temple Valley with Department of Conservations tracks which wind up the Temple Streams looking over the to Southern Alps, also an amazing spot for night sky photography if that’s a past time you enjoy. Lake Ohau itself is huge and sitting in the hot tub at the Quarters a fav past time watching the sun go down glistening over the lake makes this place what I call REAL real middle earth. Lake Ohau is a glacial lake fed by the Hopkins and Dobson rivers further up into the headwaters of the Southern Alps, it makes for amazing photography and adventures around the property and looks down toward the well known Ben Ohau mountain range with the magnificent Ben Ohau standing tall at the end of this.
I love the feel of the place with the working farm right on the doorstep of the Quarters. Sheep and working dogs in the neighbouring paddocks plus heaps of cool spots for walking and if you have a boat, fishing on the lake is a must do. The Quarters itself is a relaxing and spacious environment. Heaps of room to spread out and rest or relax and play a game of cards on a Winter’s day or to BBQ in Summer outside on the deck with views for as far as the eye can see. The Managers Mark and Mel moved to Lake Ohau Valley nearly 3 years ago to work at Lake Ohau Station, Mark involved with the farm and Mel taking on running the Quarters accommodation. With Mel’s background in hospitality and retail management and Mark with a trade under his belt a change of lifestyle and moving away from the urban life proved to be an awesome move. Now managing the Quarters they are the driving force behind the attention to detail of the high standards that they bring with them. Mel says “Lake Ohau Quarters is a fantastic option to take a well deserved break. Rented to one group at a time up to 24 people can be accommodated. The warm and spacious accommodation has a large open fire, big dining area with massive dining tables and a selection of sleeping arrangements in 6 bedrooms which include bunk, twin and queen rooms.
While up there with the crew, we spent some time taking photos on the Lake Ohau Station on some of their private land and also drove up the valley, such beautiful spots, shooting sunsets and sunrises over the lake and headed into the Ahuriri Conservation Park a favourite place of mine, drove over to Mt Cook for a flight up to the Tasman Glacier and a guided walk onto the Glacier with our friends at Mt Cook Glacier Guiding and Mt Cook Ski Planes. I have to say one of the best adventures I have been on in my life, its was staggering and inspiring. We spent time in the hot tub, sat in front of the fireplace and spent much time laughing and enjoying device free time in one of the World’s most beautiful places. NZ Kiwi Adventures can guide you from the Quarters as your private tour guide taking in all these scenes as an added option to your stay. Bring your friends and family for a week or a long weekend to get off the grid and get back to nature, it will really makes you feel inspired about life and food for your soul when you stay at this place!
Mention this article and get 15% off the accommodation rate, valid to end September 2018 - Contact Mel now www.lakeohauquarters.co.nz
It’s also a great place for a celebration, small wedding or as a base to explore everything this amazing area has to offer. Go and make the most of your adventures and then come back to the hot tub and the free guest laundry and drying room” The trips I have taken to the Quarters have been so much fun. With friends exploring the mountains and lakeside, shooting some pretty epic photos, and also it’s a place that has the most incredible dark skies for astrophotography. Just down the road is the Omarama Clay Cliffs and the Ahuriri Conservation Park which are in my opinion some of the most interesting places to explore and photograph in the Mackenzie/Waitaki Region.
ALSO Book with Rachel and Rina now for Female Photography Workshop Adventure with NZ Kiwi Adventures here at Lake Ohau Quarters in October 2018 www.nzkiwiadventures.com
Day trip to Aoraki Mount Coo
JESSY TRAVEL ADVENTURE
ok National Park with the crew
The Lake Ohau Quarters special staff member - Stella
THE NIGHT SKY IS AMAZING HERE AT LAKE OHAU QUARTERS TOO ON A NIGHT WHEN THE MOON IS NEW YOU CAN SEE MILLIONS OF STARS
LAKE OHAU QUARTERS Activities people can do around the area From the Alps 2 Ocean on doorstep to helicopters landing on the front lawn to whisk you away for a glacier landing we are truly an adventure destination!
Far enough away from the other busy slopes down south, the Ohau Snow Fields offers amazing ski days for all ages. Come back and relax after your day in our wood fired hot tub
There is a boat ramp at the bottom of the driveway so it’s easy to enjoy either fishing, water skiing or jet boating up the river
World class fishing in local streams, rivers and off course the local canals
The Temple valley has awesome 1 to 2 day hikes and the walk to the Cirque Basin is a must do. Weather its gentle walking or hardcore hikes this part of the world offers unforgettable experiences
CONTACT US FOR PRIVATE GUIDING AND PHOTOGRAPHY TUITION OPTIONS ALSO
Pack a picnic and mountain bike up the Hopkins Valley to Monument Hut
www.lakeohauquarters.co.nz
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LAKE OHAU STATION LOOKING OVER TO MT COOK
Yoga available at Lake Ohau Quarters with NZ Kiwi Adventures
LAKE OHAU SUNRISE
MEL & MARK - OF LAKE OHAU QUARTERS ON THE HOOKER VALLEY WALK
NEW ZEALAND MERINOS LAKE OHAU STATION
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A D V E N T U R E S
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FUN ON A DAY OUT FROM THE LAKE OHAU QUARTERS TO THE TASMAN GLACIER GUIDED TOUR
THERE ARE GUIDED TOURS AND PHOTOGRAPHY ADVENTURES ON OFFER FOR LAKE OHAU GUESTS WITH PROFESSIONAL GUIDES FROM NZ KIWI ADVENTURES
LAKE OHAU REFLECTIONS
RACHEL GILLESPIE PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.NZKIWIADVENTURES.COM
Fine Art Prints & Canvas
HEADING UP THE HOPKINS VALLEY
TWIZEL CANALS
Never Stop the J OUT WITH THE NEW OLYMPUS TRAVEL CAMERA Recently I spend an epic weekend with some of Aussie’s top influencers, photographers and the fabulous team from Olympus Australia New Zealand in Queenstown with a special new travel camera the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III. Picture an adventurous long weekend in Queenstown with an awesome bunch of new friends having a blast, eating out, staying in luxury and heading out on some epic tours and you would be on one of the best adventures of your life. We were warmly welcomed by Kristie of Olympus and her team to The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, a stunning place to relax and underwind. Excitedly tearing into the packaging of my new travel camera, I met the crew and the
rest of the inspiring people on this trip and we headed out for some adventure on the water. The first thing I noticed about the camera was its lightweight feel, not like my usual heavy camera gear, so I was excited to see what I could shoot with it over the next few days. If you are like me, the less gear you have to carry the better! First stop a private boat tour and dinner on the beautiful Lake Wakatipu, meet and mingle with my new friends and the chance to shoot some pics, I was also particularly excited about the video capacity of this camera which gave newbies to video like me the ability to get some good footage with the 5-axis image stabilisation for reducing camera shake and 4k recording ability. There were some really successful photographers and influencers on this boat, so a lot was learned over these next few days.
Journey IN QUEENSTOWN
We cruised along into the wilderness capturing the majestic Queenstown mountains and passed by the shores of farms and inlets, and were blessed on our return with a beautiful sunset to finish the evening, lots of fun was had with Lisa from @the_wanderinglens teaching us a new technique most of us did not know about too! Back to the Rees Hotel, I lit my cosy fireplace and relaxed into the evening, I set my alarm for the sunrise as I drifted off to sleep in the gorgeous suite. Up with the birds to an epic sunrise, the weather gods smiling down on us the sky was stunning I
grabbed the camera and shot an 8 shot panorama which I stitched together in lightroom all before breakfast what a beauty! Over breakfast we had some learning on the camera and its features and then the excitement hit, a helicopter ride! YUSSS my fav adventure! Four heli’s with our friends at Helicopter Line took us up towards the top of the Remarkables, this was my first time landing up there, amazing views for miles, those gnarly rocky outcrops, so many things to take pictures of. Olympus Visionary & Professional
GLENORCHY
ARROWTOWN WITH OLYMPUS
GIBBSTON VALLEY - QUEENSTOWN WITH OLYMPUS
THE REMARKABLES QUEENSTOWN WITH OLYMPUS
TOP OF THE REMARKABLES WITH OLYMPUS
GIBBSTON VALLEY WINERY WITH OLYMPUS
Photographer, Mick, had a selection of lenses that we were able to use, one of the features of this camera that is pretty cool for its size, so I had a play taking some shots with a few different options, really amazing to see how these came out in post processing, and even straight off the camera many of these shots didn’t need a lot of editing. The colour capture of this camera is pretty epic. After shooting over 300 images or so we hoped back on board our helicopter and flew over the range into the stunning Gibbston Valley with the beautiful aqua blue Kawarau River below and landed at the Gibbston Valley Winery for a tour and spectacular luncheon. A definite must do when you are in the area, also features their own Cheesery for you cheese lovers. Then back onto our bus heading to Wanaka and Arrowtown, of course there was a stop at the famous Wanaka Tree, we had a lot of laughs there with all the tourists and enjoyed a relaxing wander through the Wanaka Lavender Farm. Finished off the day taking pics with cute little town of Arrowtown, a beautiful place to meander and take photos of the township an old gold mining town originally. Our evening ended in style with an amazing dinner at Bazzar the QT Hotel, by now we were all pretty hungry and photography was far from mind :) Day 3 up and off to one of my most fav spots in the area Glenorchy, passing Wilsons Bay we stopped for a few shots and then on to Glenorchy and its surrounds, by now we were all getting to know each
other well, and what a great group of people not always found that everyone gets on so well in a travel group but this crew were all amazing, one of the things I really like about the Olympus team. The Glenorchy area is a stunning place many movies have been filmed here for international films including Lord of the Rings and Mission Impossible, it is a place that really gets in your soul once you have been there you want to keep on coming back. At the stop over for the Glenorchy Lookout I had the opportunity to use one of Mick’s big lenses! This is when I really was excited at the capacity of this small camera, I got some pretty epic close up mountain shots with it and the detail was impressive. Into the township we did some of the local tourist spots including the wharf and the Glenorchy shed which is now World famous these days. After an amazing weekend it was time to drive back to Queenstown and head home, we were entertained on the way by Ante’s spotify playlist and there was a lot of laughter and smiles. On arrival back into town we headed to our last stop for lunch, Fergburger, you knew I was not going to leave that off the list I am sure, very few people visit Queenstown without going to Fergs. We had an amazing trip, made new friends, learned a ton, and best of all took some epic photos, if you are keen to know more about the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III check it out here for all its cool features and take a look at the video below
VIEW FROM THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN WITH OLYMPUS
What I loved about the Camera - Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Many epic features including Wi-Fi sharing photos straight to your phone, 4K video and the ability to change up the lenses a huge plus for the size of this camera, loads of cool settings in camera for filters, panoramas, and light trails to name a few. Since returning home I have also been teaching my kids how to use it, it is a really great family or travel entry camera. The OM-D E-M10 Mark III is an interchangeable lens camera that lets you capture high-quality images without having to make any complicated operations. It is equipped with a tilting touch panel LCD monitor, electronic viewfinder, and built-in flash. Such features make a camera that can deliver in any photo opportunity. #neverstopthejourney #olympusinspired #queenstownolympusexcursion
more info click here
Mountain Biking up the Macaulay WITH HOLLIE WOODHOUSE
MOUNTAIN BIKING UP THE MACAULAY by Hollie Woodhouse Like everything I see or read that ignites my adventurous spirit, it has a brief moment at the top of the list until a new fascination bumps it down a notch. So ever since an article on ski touring Mt Sibbald by Mark Bridgewater entered my inbox over two years ago, I was captivated by the Macaulay Valley at the top of Lake Tekapo. Maybe it was the EPIC image of Mark’s adventure buddy lying in an old bath (Say Yes to Adventure cover Volume Three), with a Speights and the stars as company. Maybe it was the contrast of blue and gold that filled the surrounding landscape; or maybe it was the remoteness of the location, enveloped by towering mountains dotted with glaciers that glistened in the sunshine. Whatever it was, I knew I had to one day explore it for myself. Roll on a few years, many adventure and another special occasion to celebrate. The original plan for the weekend was to head south and hit up the Cardrona Mountain Bike Park, but with some fresh February snow and a downhill event on, we decided another mission had to be thought of. With my friend Jacqs based in Hawea and myself in Christchurch, meeting in the middle was the sensible option. After a quick search on uncle Google for adventures based around the Mackenzie region, we landed on the Macaulay Valley, and the decision was made. Putting a call out at late notice we gained one more buddy in Scottie Scott, and planned our mission leaving mid-Saturday morning and out the following day. With bikes, booze and quality banter (debateable) we headed for Tekapo after work on Friday, excited for the weekend. I’d explored the Godley Valley around Lilybank Station once before – when all this adventure madness truly began. I was on a training mission with Jacqs and Hilary as we prepared for Spring Challenge in Queenstown. I was on a bike that was too big for me, I definitely hadn’t taken the plunge to clip-ins yet, and I thought pink buns were quality energy food (who am I kidding, I still think that!). We fell off copious
amounts of times – in the river, into banks, onto rocks, and occasionally for no reason at all! It would also be my first ever image on Instagram! So what I am trying to say is, it’s was bloody ages ago. Pulling up we sorted out our bikes and with our bags now looking more akin to a Christmas tree, we hardly resembled a group who were about to go riding (or I believe ‘bikepacking’ is the fashionable term to use these days). We are by no means experts in this sport – we proudly wear lycra (Say Yes to Adventure no less) when the rules dictate we should be wearing ‘baggies’, but we don’t care at all. And that’s the joy of it, the laughter that comes from the ridiculousness of the situation, but also the exciting anticipation of what lies ahead. Taking off just after 11am, we successfully navigated the Macaulay river (under the watchful eye of a local farmer in his tractor) before turning right just before Lilybank Station and heading north up the valley. The weather was on pointe with only blue and sunshine now filling the sky, following on from cyclone Gita; her presence still very much noticeable with the surrounding mountains still covered in a fresh dusting of snow. On private farmland, the 4WD track guided us through the odd stream, most of which were rideable. There was one moment when Jacqs almost gave Danny MacAskill a run for his money, slowly sinking into the muddy, stagnant water much to the amusement of Scottie and me! We stopped for lunch as we reached the beginning of the Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, directly opposite Stone Hut, sitting in silence as we watched waterfalls in the distance and soaked in the vastness of the landscape around us. As the riverbed widened and the track became less obvious, we bounced and bobbled our way over the rocks beneath our wheels. The slight gradual incline, along with the uneven ground made for slow going, but when you haven’t a care in the world, time doesn’t mean a thing.
We spotted the hut on the flats ahead and arrived just under three hours after setting off. The recent weather bomb appeared to have put people off, and we couldn’t believe our luck when we had the hut all to ourselves. And what a hut it was! Owned and managed by Mackenzie Alpine Trust - Lake Tekapo, it had everything we needed. Gas, solar lights, an epic fire, 14 decent-sized bunk beds, and most importantly, plenty of cards! You can’t book in advance, so it’s first-in-firstserved ($10 per person, per night), but if you brought a 4WD vehicle in, there is plenty of flat land around to pitch a tent. After initially exploring our home for the evening, and changing out of wet clothes, we headed up the hill behind us to get a better sense of the valley we found ourselves a part of. As to be expected, the views were breath-taking – 360 degrees of epicness. We couldn’t quite spot Mount Sibbald, but all agreed that exploring any of these mountain ranges definitely wasn’t for the faint-hearted. I had one question that still wasn’t answered, however … where was the bath?? My memory of the image told me that it
would have been near the hut, as the landscape behind looked up the valley. A scan from up the hill hadn’t located it, so once back down we did some searching and quickly came across the location. For whatever reason, the bath was no more, and the only evidence left was some rocks, which would have been for the fire underneath, and a black alkathene pipe which snaked its way back to the stream running down the valley. I was intrigued, and a little saddened as to why this point of difference to the hut no longer existed. “Is it too early to open the wine?” Scottie asked as I looked at my watch. 3.45pm. “It’s never too early for wine”, Jacqs and I replied in unison. And so we sat in the sunshine, drinking wine, throwing rocks and chewing the fat, feeling so lucky that we live in a country where places like this are literally on our doorstep. Roll on 6pm, the bottle of wine well and truly empty and only the last of the port left in our glasses when we spotted a vehicle slowly snaking its way up the riverbed. Taking bets on the travellers inside, we were met by a young couple from Christchurch who were also escaping
MACAULAY HUT
the rat race for a night. Armed with Cliff the dog, a rifle and camo clothing they quickly set off for an evening hunt before the sun dropped behind the hill. Their hastiness to disappear may have also been a direct result of our singing…
only a long-sleeve merino. Reaching the signpost for Lilybank Station, we made our final turn towards the car. With our river crossing confidence up, we attempted (still need a bit of work) almost every crossing before a final sprint up the last hill.
With a gourmet dinner of tuna and rice in our bellies, we sat around the table playing Kings and Assholes. After a few questionable rule-changes partway through, along with plenty of laughs, we called it a day just after 9pm. With the forecast nor’west now howling down the valley, we hopped into bed hoping the rain would hold off until at least lunchtime tomorrow.
Our toes might have been numb from the icy rivers, but you could not wipe the smiles off our faces. The wilderness fills my soul as nothing else can. Add to that great friends, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend the weekend celebrating another year around the sun.
After a sleepless night for a few (the wind is my idea of heaven), an early start had us fed and ready for the return trip just before 8am. While the rain stayed away, the black clouds rolling over the Alps up the valley were enough to hurry us on our way. With lighter loads, due to both the food and alcohol being consumed and our sleeping bags kindly offloaded to our new friends, who promised to drop them at our car, we hopped back in the saddle and almost freewheeled our way down the valley.
About Hollie Woodhouse
I get my kicks from heading for the hills and creating adventures of my own, then sharing these experiences with others. When not running up mountains or crashing on my mountain bike, I encourage others to grab life by the balls through my own magazine Say Yes to Adventure; a digital magazine featuring inspiring stories, photographs and illustrations all based on a common With the wind on our tail and the gradi- theme; Adventure. FB@ SayYestoAdent now in our favour, we clocked up the ventureMag kms as we headed for home. With the sky not quite as picture-perfect as it was the day before, it was still warm enough for
@holliewoodhouse
DAVID BOON - TRAVEL IN PIXELS Mt Cook National Park
MACAULAY
RIVER CROSSING
Check out our September Astrophotography Adventure with Jordan McInally of Undersoul Photography
www.nzkiwiadventures.com
NZ Photography Adventures & Workshops
CHECK OUT SOME OF THE IMAGES FROM THIS YEARS LUMA 2018 QUEENSTOWN
LUMA SOUTHERN LIGHTS BY MITCH WOLTERS
LUMA - LEIGH JEFFREY
LUMA - ANTOINE FREZET
LUMA - MITCH WOLTERS
LUMA - ANTOINE FREZET
QUEENSTOWN
NEW ZEALAND
heliglenorchy.co.nz
En Route with Rina Weddings and Events
AERIAL VIEW OF LAKE HAWEA TOWNSHIP
GOLDEN BAY
EN ROUTE WITH RINA SJARDIN-THOMPSON - FULL TIME PHOTOGRAPHER Feb 2018 has become my busiest month of the year with weddings, family photos and equestrian events to get to… love that my life is so full - though it leaves little time for anything else you won’t hear a complaint from me though. After a young couple came to Okarito to meet me, I was given an invitation to stay with them in Hawea. So we organised this for February. Here I got to explore a wing of the Hawea Lake that is not only not visible from the road but is only accessible by boat if you don’t have permission from local station owners and managers. This was truly a trip hosted, guided and advised by locals and their local knowledge. The Cotter family were totally amazing and willing to share their back yard with me for which i will forever be grateful. We flew up the Hunter Valley, boated up the valley and drove up the valley… to see it from every way possible was totally amazing. This, I think, would count as one of my fave trips - ever!!!! I am so looking forward to returning in later in the year to capture the same area with a different look, feel and ambience!!! Peter took me for a fly which took a wee while to come down from as, for me, to combine a flight and a camera is the ultimate photography experience!!! We flew as far up the Hunter Valley that we could before the wind came up and forced us back. The next day we boated up the valley to go and see the amazing trees in the water… (image included). Day after that we drove up the valley with the permission of the landowners/manager to do so and got to see some amazing locations and views…. So exciting to be in a new part of the country that many don’t get to see or appreciate…
RINA SJARDIN-THOMPSON
Shorty after that i was headed to Golden Bay for 10 days to renew old acquaintances, and to make some new ones, photograph 2 weddings and some family photos. The Nalder Family I stayed with were amazing. They hosted me for 10 days, showing me around their farm which sits at the beginning of the Heaphy Track in Bainham. Similar weather conditions exist here to the West Coast so a heavy yearly rainfall. … I had photographed their family a year or so ago at the lovely Te Hapu rocks also inaccessible without permission from the landowners/managers... this was the family that took me to Rarotonga to photograph their wedding…
From here i left and headed to Dunedin where I had a wedding to photograph so only got to spend a couple of days there before heading off to Ranfurly only to be welcomed with some amazing cloud formations!!!
This time we renewed their family photos having a great time with some fabulous locations including Lake Rotoiti, and the backroads of Motueka…. Some stunning areas for family and wedding photos. Here my friends organised a flight for me to do the end of the day before sunset… totally stunning light on an iconic beach, Wharariki… so cool to see it from a different perspective to the norm… Needless to say i will be heading here again and of course doing another flight as well!
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So a massive amount of local travel this month but totally worth every second of it!!! I have included some images for you. Enjoy…. Rina
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SAILSBURY FALLS, BAINHAM RINA SJARDIN-THOMPSON
RINA SJARDIN-THOMPSON Lake Hawea Views
Golden Bay, Farewell Spit RINA SJARDIN-THOMPSON
Heaphy River Mouth RINA SJARDIN-THOMPSON
Hunter Valley River RINA SJARDIN-THOMPSON
Motueka Back Road RINA SJARDIN-THOMPSON
THE REMARKABLES
BRANDO YELAVICH EXPLORER
Wildboy Adventures - Brando Yelavich TAKING THE FIRST STEPS
We set off to Queenstown with the intention of walking to Lake Alta, up the Remarkables. It is an easy walk with a bit of scrabbling and rock hopping to get to the beautiful snow melt lake in the crater of the mountains. We drove to the carpark of the Remarkables Ski field where we almost got blown off the mountain! The wind was whipping past at an eye watering speed, making Ngaio’s ears ache and her nose go bright pink, she looked so cute but very cold. If you are ever going hiking in exposed windy areas, take a beanie or a wrap to cover your ears, it will save you from getting achy ears from a cold wind! We rugged up and headed onto the track, keeping our eyes peeled for the Mount Cook Daisy as we went, they are so beautiful! Snow outlined the lake, big clumps were falling in from the edges and floating around like mini icebergs. The lake is a beautiful vibrant blue, the contrast from the snow making it appear even more so. Standing at the edge of lake Alta you are looking up at the jagged peaks that the Remarkables are renowned for. We decided to head for the summit. We had virtually no gear, but I had checked the weather and there was no chance it was going to turn bad. There was a bit of snow covering the peak which had me excited! We started slogging our way up the ice covered steep rocky faces, after an hour of climbing I realised it was going to take a lot longer than we had anticipated. Although the peaks looked so close, it was slow going climbing over the rocks and Ngaio didn’t have much experience hiking in the mountains. We reached a snow shoot, to get across I kicked steps into the soft spring snow, that made Ngaio way more comfortable as she was quite unsure about this new kind of terrain. We reached a point were we had to go directly up. I picked up four pieces of schist, two for me and two for Ngaio, these would be our ice axes! I showed Ngaio how to use them to get up steep faces covered in snow, and how to use them to slow herself down if she was sliding down the mountain. After a quick tutorial we were back to making our way to the summit! The face we were climbing up was pretty exposed, we made it to a point just below the summit, we stopped for a rest and to check out our options. The view was spectacular and the day was beautiful. The summit was close, so close! But between us and the summit was a steep snowy face that dropped straight off the side of the mountain. I had to make the call that we wouldn’t be going to the top. Without any proper gear it just wasn’t worth the risk. We sat and gazed at the jagged summit and made up crazy ideas about how to reach it… then we started to head back down We slid and skidded our way down the mountain, using the schist to slow us down. It was a beautiful blue bird day with clear skies and beaming sun. We finished our day off with very refreshing swim in the lake. Even though we didn’t quite reach the summit, it was a great little adventure. Written by Ngaio Gregory With Brando Yelavich. www.wildboyadventures.com
BRANDO YELAVICH EXPLORER
BRANDO YELAVICH EXPLORER
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AURORA AUSTRALIS, SOUTH CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND RACHEL GILLESPIE
GLENORCHY WHARF RACHEL GILLESPIE
Jordan McInally Freelance Photographer | Undersoul Photography Project24 Content Creator +64 27 812 1512
by Jessica Pullen
6 Ways To See NZ Like A Local
So New Zealand is beautiful, we all know this. We all know the typical spots that are splashed across the arrivals gate at the airports and the signature shots that you see on Instagram time and time again. Now, don’t get me wrong, these places are truly beautiful - Hobbiton, Queenstown, the Auckland Sky Tower, Milford Sounds - these are probably what come to mind when you think of us down here at the bottom of the world. But honestly, these key “must do” destinations are probably 10% of what makes up this incredible place. Here are some tips to ensure you get the most out of your NZ trip and to see it through the locals eyes. 1. Road tripping is a Must!!! The only way to get the true feel of NZ is to drive!! especially if you are in the South Island! Some of the most beautiful best spots are on the way to the typical tourist locations and New Zealand is a place of scenery. You will get to see the best of it from the road with your travel buddy along with a bag full of snacks. Also, make sure your camera and Gopro are fully charged because you will be seeing some of the most gorgeous parts of the country on the road and you will don’t want to miss out on all of those instagram post opportunities!! Hint: New Zealand locals HATE inconsiderate tourists, especially on the road! when you pick up your rental car, PLEASE take some time to familiarise yourself with the road rules, actually listen to the advice you are given, New Zealand roads can be treacherous and it is SO important to stay alert and focussed! Also, this is a big one... LET PEOPLE PASS YOU!! Unless you want to really piss off the locals and cop some serious road rage, PULL OVER. us kiwis are a friendly and welcoming bunch but this is a massive peeve and is making NZ roads a lot less enjoyable over peak tourist periods!! its just basic manners guys! 2. If something looks pretty while on the road, stop and check it out! There are so many secret gems in NZ that are often not noticed as so many people
are hurrying to get to their destination some of these will be the highlights of your trip, so make sure you stop! check it out! nothing is worse than seeing someone elses photo of that place you almost stopped at and wishing you had! There are so many of these around and most are untouched and often deserted! Hint: make sure you give yourself lots of time when doing long trips - don’t rush! take your time and take in what is around you! I say allow yourself at least 2 extra hours than the expected drive time to explore! Maybe even more for certain trips (eg Queenstown/Wanaka Mount Cook, West Coast, Taupo). 3. Pies and coffee!! New Zealand is renowned for its amazing coffee and meat pies! make sure you stop and try them at different places as you travel around! Of course certain areas have their specialties (if your travelling Otago and Southland, the cheese rolls are also a must!) but the trusty steak and cheese pie is a kiwi classic and is pretty consistent no matter where you end up! My top 3 picks for pie shops are below... Sheffield Pie Shop (Sheffield, South Island) Jimmies Pies (Roxburgh, South Island) Bread and Butter Bakery (Ponsonby, Auckland, North Island) Coffee is consistently good pretty much no matter where you go in NZ! but the coffee capital is of course the capital, Wellington!! Hint: the messier the pie to eat, the better, probably best to not eat in the car! Also the best pie flavour is your classic Steak and Cheese which of course, would not be complete without Watties tomato sauce. 4. The Weather The new Zealand climate is very unpredictable and will most likely disrupt your travel plans more than once. Don’t be an idiot! if the advice is not to drive certain roads, DON’T DO IT!
these guys aren’t just saying it for shits and giggles, it can get really goddamn dangerous. ESPECIALLY if you do not know the roads. If you have to stay an extra night, it’s all good! Just embrace where you are, no matter what the location - I’m sure there is more than enough to keep you entertained for an extra 24 hours, if not, find a pub. I can guarantee there will be one of those nearby! Hint: Keep some supplies in the car to last you in case you get stuck overnight! (especially in winter) - even if the weather is fine, many New Zealand roads are very rural with no cellphone signal. If you break down, it could be hours before any help arrives. 5. Earthquakes Yes we get earthquakes, A LOT of them. Just be aware of where you are going. New Zealand has a huge number of significant and very active faultlines up and down the country. There is a decent chance you may experience one while you are here. If you prepare yourself, you will be fine! just remember though that you may get stuck if there is a large enough one. Tourists were stuck in Kaikoura for almost a week after the November 14th earthquake in 2016 but were well cared for by the locals until they were airlifted out (scoring a free scenic helicopter ride).
6.Come during off peak season! As New Zealand becomes more of a “must see” destination, peak seasons are becoming busier and more expensive. The busiest time of the year in New Zealand is November - March. Ski season also results in certain areas having a winter peak too (Queenstown/Wanaka/Central North Island). If you want to avoid the crowds then plan your trip between late March June or August - October. Accommodation and activities will be A LOT cheaper and easier to get and the roads will be a lot quieter! New Zealand is an amazing place and I am thankful everyday that this is where I call home! Everything I write comes from a local kiwi’s perspective and I hope these few tips help make your next trip down the most kiwi experience possible!! keep an eye on my page for more NZ themed posts!! Jessica Pullen @wandergirlnz
IIMAGE RINA SJARDIN-THOMPSON
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Client Experience “I recently had the pleasure of participating with NZ Kiwi Adventures on a photography adventure, in June, around Central Otago. I found the adventure was well organized and fully flexible to cater for weather conditions. I was able to tap into the expertise and knowledge, either out on a shoot or in the conference room. What was the best part of the trip; There were several, experiencing a strong aurora for the first time, visiting hooker glacier for a sunset shoot and staying for a milky wayshoot, a helicopter trip around Mt Aspiring with the doors off, to name a few. I have no hesitation in recommending them if you are considering doing one of their photography adventures, I know I am next year. “ Neil
JORDAN MCINALLY
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NZ KIWI ADVENTURES GUIDING & PHOTOGRAPHY ADVENTURES
