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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

    Arriving in Whangerai

    February 6, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    This morning I took an early coach from Auckland, heading north into Northland to Whangerai! After checking into my hostel, which turns out to be a decommissioned prison cell block (I'll get some pictures tomorrow), I decided to head on a walk around the harbour towards Whangerai Falls.

    Today is also Waitangi Day bank holiday so there was no public transport running. Waitangi Day celebrates the signing of the treaty between around 500 Maori chiefs and the British crown, which established New Zealand as we know it today and is considered to be the countries founding document.

    After speaking to the hostel owner he recommended to ignore Google Maps and take a walk to the waterfalls along the river and through the bush as apparently its a lovely walk! So I set off for the river, but first of all headed away from the waterfalls to explore the Whangerai Town Basin which was alive with, cafes, restaurants, museums, play areas and sculptures.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Whangerai Falls

    February 6, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    In the early afternoon I arrived at the site of the waterfall. I stopped by here for around an hour and took the time to read and even get as close to the waterfall as possible without getting wet! After enjoying this pretty spectacle for a while I followed the path back into town.

    I settled by the harbour for a while before heading back to the hostel for a refresh, grabbing a notepad in the process and heading out for a few apple juices and practising my Spanish!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Ferry to Russell

    February 7, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    After quickly checking in I took the ferry across to Russell, which once formed part of the old capital on New Zealand. The low winds made for a calm crossing and the skies were blue!

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Flagstaff Hill

    February 7, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Once I made it to Russell, I followed the footpath signs up to Flagstaff Hill. At the top of the hill is a shipping mast which went through a period of being sawn down and resurrected every other week! The views as ever didn't disappoint!

    I was however somewhat confused about the suggested timings for some of the paths, this particular one stated 30 minutes to cover just 400m??    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Tapeka Track

    February 7, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Next up I continued my walk across the peninsula to Tapeka beach and then a lookout point. Once again, lovely views and an even more ridiculous sign suggesting it would take an hour to cover 780m. After this I took the same scenic bushwalk back go Russell and boarded the ferry back go Paihia.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    100th Day Away - Bay of Islands Sailing

    February 8, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Today was 100th day of travelling! I therefore treated myself by taking a 6 hour cruise around the bay of islands which included lunch, snacks, snorkeling and an island stop.

    I shared the day with Captain Mike and his assistant Marley as well as all of the other guests from around the world! It was a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing day and I may have even caught the sun a little.

    This evening I cooked up a fish pasta and headed down to the end of the wharf for a glass of rose.

    Cheers to the next 100 (and another 100 after that) days! 🥂    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Motuarohia Island

    February 8, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    During the cruise, we stopped at Motuarohia Island for snorkeling and a short hike! There were lots of huge fish to be spotted and we even saw some penguins! It is also the spot where Captain Cook first anchored himself in the Bay of Islands in 1769.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    A Day on the Road

    February 9, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    This morning I hopped on the bus at Paihia at 7:45am, and after a 30 minute change in Auckland I reached my destination of Taupo at 5:50pm! So not much to report on in those hours but here's a couple of pictures from the road.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    World's Coolest McDonalds

    February 9, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Taupo's McDonalds has been officially voted as the world's coolest! No surprise as it has a full plane as part of the restaurant with a staircase to access and a number of seats inside. I of course therefore had my dinner here.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Evening in Taupo

    February 9, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    After finishing up at McDonalds I briefly explored the waterfront overlooking Lake Taupo, a lake formed from a volcanic crater that is the size of Singapore and holds the title of the largest lake in Australasia!

    There is also a golf challenge on the edge of the lake. Where if you are able to chip a ball into one of the holes on a mini island just off the shore you can win $10,000NZD!

    There are lots of bars, restaurants and a few clubs on the seafront, but they were all oddly quiet for a Friday night. Still, nothing to stop me enjoying a tequila and orange.

    Tomorrow I was meant to be doing the Tongariro Crossing, but it's been cancelled due to forecast storms, so I've extended my stay in Taupo by a night to ensure I can fit the trek in on Sunday (when the weather is back to being nice). It does mean I've had to sacrifice visiting Tauranga but I also get an extra day in Rotorua. Swings and roundabouts.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Taupo Graffiti Tour

    February 10, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Today I was meant to do the Tongariro Crossing, but due to bad weather it was cancelled. The rain was forecast to hit early afternoon and also threatened in the morning so I thought I'd take a walk around the Taupo graffiti trail which was nearby to the hostel. He's just a handful of the dozens upon dozens of pieces of street art, that were mainly located in backstreets.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Taupo Coastal Walk

    February 10, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    I then thought I'd venture for an hour or so along the base of the lake. On the way I passed some naturally forming pools which were full of steaming hot water thanks to the areas geothermal properties.

    Also on the front was a mural covered Scout hut and 'Secombe Park', so close!

    With the weather forecast saying certain thunderstorms were coming at 3pm, I thought I'd take shelter in the library for a few hours. Anyway, no storm nor rain never came as the weather got better and better by the minute! I then had to do some shopping but made time for some reading whilst watching the sunset.

    I returned to my dorm and bumped into a guy I'd met on a night out in Queenstown, and also a couple of girls who are doing the Tongariro Crossing tomorrow, so we agreed we'd all do it together.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Tongariro Crossing - Start to Springs

    February 11, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    So today I finally got to take on the Tongariro Crossing! 19.4km with 843m of elevation gain and said to be the most spectacular single day walk in New Zealand and one of the top 10 in the world!

    Many alarms in our dorm went off between 4am - 4:30am as we boarded our shuttle bus at 5:10am. After an hour or so drive, 11 of us on the bus all agreed to stick together for the day as we were expecting low visibility and sub zero temperatures for the higher parts of the trek.

    The start was at around 1,000m evelation and began with a steady ascent as we walked alongside Mount Ngauruhoe, also known as Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings! This made for a pleasant start to the day as the sun rose over the mountains and warmed us up.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Tongariro Crossing - South Crater

    February 11, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Next up what a flat section along the south crater, before a steeper ascent up towards the summit. As part of our group was an older French lady called Patricia. She was quick on the flat and on the descents but she really struggled on the uphill. So a hung around with her way off the rest of the group and even ended up carrying her bag for a while. Please use the comment section to compliment my kindness and fulfil my ego and to make my good deed worthwhile.

    The view over the south crater was amazing as the summit of Mt Doom became covered in cloud, a sign of things to come! From here we could look onwards towards the nearby summit.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Tongariro Crossing - Emerald Lakes

    February 11, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    We began our descent towards the emerald lakes. As we'd been warned, the initial descent was very steep and the surface was unsteady and unsettled, leading to a number of people taking a tumble along the way!

    It was absolutely freezing with the sun nowhere to be seen and bitter winds sweeping across the mountains. Still, we were able to appreciate the natural beauty of the emerald lakes as much as the clouds permitted!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Tongariro Crossing - Descent & Finish

    February 11, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    I'd been told that the descent goes on for a good while and oh boy it did! We continued to descend less steeply through the fog until we reached the side of the hill. The path then (seemingly unnecessarily) zig zigged down the hill for miles and miles, eventually leading to a forest which eventually lead us back to our bus for 3pm.

    Patricia also chose to share with us that only a year ago she was wheelchair bound after a bad accident, yet today she managed to take on one of the toughest hikes in New Zealand, what a woman!

    A great day shared with a wonderful mix of people from across the world!

    We arrived back at the hostel shortly after 4 and had a relaxing evening with dinner, a bit of Lord of the Rings but mainly sharing our New Zealand travel tips with one another!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Huka Falls Track

    February 12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    This morning I checked out of my hostel in Taupo and dumped my bags into the luggage room as my bus wasn't till 4pm. I therefore had almost a full day in Taupo!

    A good job too as I'd been saving my last day to visit Huka Falls. But first I had to get there which was via a stunning path along the river leading down to the falls.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Huka Falls

    February 12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    New Zealand's most visited natural attraction did not disappoint!

    Whilst the drop on the falls was more of a gentle slope the sheer power and speed of the water was quite incredible. You would almost certainly be doomed if you ended up being caught up amongst it.

    The water was also glacier blue, helped by the sun beating down upon it.

    Definitely a must see in New Zealand!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Otumuheke Stream Hot Pools

    February 12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    I took a gentle stroll back along the river towards Taupo. On the way back I stopped for a little while for a bathe in the Otumuheke Stream Hot Pools. The naturally forming pools where pleasantly warm, and weirdly the warm water was coming down from mini waterfalls in the valley hills.

    I then headed back to the hostel to relax for an hour or so before catching the bus to Rotorua.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Rotorua - Government Gardens

    February 12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    After checking into Rotorua I thought I'd head out to get my bearings and do some shopping.

    First up was the nearby Government Gardens which looked absolutely stunning with the completely blue skies and sunset shining onto the grounds. I'll definitely be back here when I'm in need of some downtime!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Sulphur Point

    February 12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Rotorua's main attraction is in its hive of geothermal activity. The smell of sulphur (eggs) radiates throughout the town, no more so than at sulphur point which has a walkway to enable visitors to walk close to the bubbling hot pools on the coast.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler
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    Te Puia

    February 13, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Te Puia is a Maori geothermal site situated on the outskirts of Rotorua. I joined the 11am tour as our guide shown us around the site including the kiwi conservation centre (first kiwis I've seen this trip!), mud pools, geysers, rivers, Maori buildings, the on-site school and more!

    It was fascinating to learn more about New Zealand's geothermal and Maori roots in this historic location!    Read more