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South Pacific Solo Travel
  • Greg Clayton
  • Greg Clayton

South Pacific Solo Travel

A 112-day adventure by Greg Read more
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  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Disc Golf

    February 1, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    After lunch 5 of us hired some discs for disc golf to play the 18 hole free course in Queenstown Gardens. After being 4 shots clear through the front 9 I absolutely capitulated on the back 9, fishing 4 shots off the leaders. Still, great fun!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Queenstown Gondola

    February 1, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    No rest for the wicked as we headed up the Queenstown Gondola! This was a mission with a purpose as we bought a combined ticket for the gondola and 6 goes on the luge (more on this in the next post).

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Luge

    February 1, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    At the top of the gondola is a whole host of activities including a gravity powered luge/go kart track. You're transported from the bottom of the track up to the top each time by a ski lift. This was so much fun and we had some great duels, some leaving more spaces than others with a few minor injuries picked up along the way. I escaped unscathed after establishing myself as the second fastest driver over 6 runs. We didn't want to leave!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Final Night in Queenstown

    February 1, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    For my final night in Queenstown I finished off my bottle of wine from the night before with dinner! We then headed to play some pool and were delighted to find Margaritas being the special offer for the night!

    The final drink I ordered of the night was delivered by the barman who told me that this was his last ever drink before moving on to a new job, what an honour!

    So I waved goodbye to my newfound pals including Dylan from Birmingham who I've now, by sheer coincidence, shared a hostel with 4 times! Auckland up next!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Auckland Coast to Coast - Start Point

    February 2, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    After landing in Auckland a little late I took the 40 minute bus to my hostel in the heart of the city. After checking in I then got back on the bus and headed back towards the airport (but not as far) as I decided I was going to do the 16km Auckland coast to coast walk. The starting point being Onehunga Bay Reserve. It was a little cloudy but with a busy schedule ahead it was either now or never!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    One Tree Hill

    February 2, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    Next up on the hike was a winding ascent up to the monument atop of One Tree Hill. Panoramic views around the city including out to the coast and the city centre!

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Cornwall Park

    February 2, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    Cornwall Park proved to be the longest stint on the walk. However as I progressed through the park it started to rain an unfavourable amount with the forecast indicating this would likely remain for the next hour or two.

    I went against all of my instincts and gave up on the walk to take the bus back into the city. I will finish the walk another day when the weather is better as there's still Mt Eden and the Wintergardens to pass on the route!

    I did a quick shopping trip on the way back and made dinner at the hostel. I was then surprised by a phone call from my small family friend Oliver in Australia which was nice! Looks like it will be a quiet night in tonight, which I'm more than happy with after a busy few days in Queenstown!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    An Enthralling Morning!

    February 3, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    I had a few jobs to do that I'd been putting of for a while till I reached the capital city where I knew resources would be aplenty! It was also on and off rain all morning so there's wasn't loads else I could do.

    First of all, I'd booked to get my haircut at 9:30am. A couple of before and after shots for you here.

    Then I went and bought some new insoles for my walking shoes and did a grocery shop.

    To finish the morning I posted some clothes and Jamboree merch back home.

    Along the way I sought out some new t-shirts to replace the space I'd made by sending things home (didn't find any I liked) and also stumbled upon PwC Auckland which was in a prime spot on the docks.

    The best part is, the pleasure of these experiences set me back £76 in total! Great value if you ask me.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Auckland Free Walking Tour

    February 3, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 21 °C

    This afternoon I'd booked myself onto a free walking tour. Despite the big crowd I was the only Brit in the group!

    It was super interesting to learn more about the history of the city and many of the sights to see. We were also treated to the slowest police chase of all time, an orienteering completion and on/off drizzle!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Mt. Eden

    February 4, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    This morning I decided I would sort of carry on the coast to coast walk so took the bus to the next stop on the walk which was Mt Eden! Mt Eden is a dormant volcano with a very visible crater, offering superb views over all sides of the city.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Auckland Domain

    February 4, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Next up was the Auckland Domain, said to be the 'heart of the city' as many mass gatherings have taken place here over the years from concerts to protests, with set up for some sort of even taking place whilst I was there!

    Also within the Domain are the Wintergardens. Providing a walked garden area with two large greenhouses at either end.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler
    3

    Auckland Art Gallery

    February 4, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    My final stop of the morning was the art gallery. Free entry! Whilst some of the paintings and art were very impressive, it's fair to say that, as ever, some of the 'art' was absolute 🐎💩.

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Arataki Visitors Centre

    February 4, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    From the art gallery, I was picked up by Raani, a local to Auckland friend I'd made at the New Zealand Scout Jamboree. Despite being only 24 years old, she is the New Zealand Scouts National Commissioner (aka the top dog) and has held the role since she was 21!

    We were headed for the beach but first of all stopped off at the nature reserve visitors centre for a walk and ice cream.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Piha Beach

    February 4, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We then headed to Piha Beach for some boogie boarding! The waves were merciless as we often found ourselves getting tossed around uncontrollably despite our best efforts and Raani's experience. I can't tell what is sunburn and what is scrapes from the beach.

    I also couldn't believe the strength of the rips in the water as the waves moved back out, it was hard to stand! It was brilliant fun and we stayed until the lifeguards clocked off duty just before 6pm.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Mission Bay

    February 4, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We then went for a drive along the coast, stopping off at a former war memorial gunsite along the way. We then enjoyed a takeaway burger and chips on the beach in Mission Bay before we said our goodbyes and I found a great selfie spot with the sky tower!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Rangitoto Island

    February 5, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Today I took the ferry across to Rangitoto Island. The island was formed of volcanic rock that had erupted from the crater in the centre of the island. It is uninhabited by humans and has very few buildings outside of old war lookouts and infrastructure!

    I decided to take a looping track around the south west of the island, leading around up to the summit.    Read more