As a Lord of the Rings fan for two decades, New Zealand has been the ultimate dream destination for me. When I was planning my big trip with my campervan, my mom asked, “so are you going to go on a Lord of the Rings tour while you’re in New Zealand?” And, without missing a… Read More Lord of the Rings Film Locations to Visit in New Zealand
I’ve spent most of my time in New Zealand living in Twizel, a small town in the Mackenzie region on the South Island. It’s a beautiful area, with so many good walks and hikes to do! As I haven’t had a car, I’ve done essentially every walk in Twizel that can be done without a… Read More The Best Walks in Twizel, New Zealand
For Lord of the Rings fans, a pilgrimage to the Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand is something you must do at least once in your life. Even if you aren’t a fan, the experience of touring the Shire is wonderfully engaging and interesting. I went with someone who wasn’t a fan, who still loved… Read More What to Know About Visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set: A Dream Come True
The day I hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand is one of my favorite travel days of my life. With poor weather forecast for the entirety of my time in the area, I’d given up hope that I’d be able to do this phenomenal hike. At 9pm before the first full day, the… Read More Tongariro Alpine Crossing: What to Know About New Zealand’s Most Epic Day Hike
Abel Tasman National Park, on the northwestern edge of the South Island, was one of my favorite destinations of my six-week New Zealand road trip. This is truly a slice of paradise: pristine sandy beaches, epic hiking trails, a remote stillness and sense of peace. I had just a short amount of time here, but… Read More Kiwi Paradise: A Travel Guide for Abel Tasman National Park
New Zealand is a dream destination for many – myself included! But it ain’t cheap; New Zealand is one of the most expensive countries I’ve visited, let alone lived in. While there is a high minimum wage here that helps balance things out if you’re living in NZ, as a tourist/visitor the prices can be… Read More How to Save Money Traveling New Zealand on a Budget
Hiking Roy’s Peak was one of my favorite days I’ve had in New Zealand so far. It’s a challenging climb, and not one to be underestimated: this is a hike up a real mountain, and you need to be prepared. It’s also a very popular route, with the crowds to match (especially for sunrise). Here’s… Read More The Most Epic Hike in Wanaka: What to Know About Roy’s Peak
Mount Sunday was one of my first destinations on my big New Zealand road trip earlier this year. And it was also one of my favorite places from the entire trip! This epic hill in the Ashburton Lakes region was the stand-in for Edoras, the capital of Rohan, in the Lord of the Rings movies.… Read More Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Mount Sunday (Edoras)
Queenstown is a must-visit destination on any trip to New Zealand. It’s full of adventurous things to do, and the scenery around Lake Wakatipu is breathtaking. There are so many good walks to do in the area, it can be hard to choose! Here are the most beautiful day hikes to do around Queenstown, New… Read More The Best Day Hikes Around Queenstown, New Zealand
Mount Kosciuszko is the highest mountain in Australia, rising 2228 meters above sea level. It’s a pretty popular peak to summit! There are several different routes to the summit of Kozzie (as it’s known). The Summit Track is the shortest route up from Charlotte Pass, or you can take the chairlift up from Thredbo for… Read More The Best Route Up Mount Kosciuszko: The Main Range Loop
So, you’re heading to New Zealand on a working holiday visa? Congrats! Moving abroad is one of the hardest but most rewarding things you can do – I would know, I’ve done it three times now! A working holiday visa is a fantastic way to live abroad short-term, explore a new destination, and experience an… Read More Moving to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa: How to Start Your Life (2024 Guide)
The Vic High Country was a favorite stop of mine on my Lap of Australia. This is one of the most underrated destinations in the country! In winter, it’s a super-popular spot for skiing and snow sports. But I visited in March, and it was a hiker’s paradise! It’s not on the classic Melbourne-Sydney coastal… Read More A Hiker’s Travel Guide to the Victoria High Country, Australia
New Zealand has been a dream destination of mine for decades. After spending a year Down Under in Australia, I knew I wanted to visit New Zealand and finally explore this spectacular country. I spent the first six weeks of my working holiday visa in New Zealand traveling, before settling down to work. As always,… Read More How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand for 6 Weeks? (2024 Budget)
Going “up north” is an age-old tradition for people in Minnesota, particularly those who live in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. “Sorry I can’t be there, I’m up north for the weekend.” “Oops I never responded, bad signal up north.” “What are you doing in two weeks? Want to head up north… Read More Amazing Places to Visit Up North in Minnesota
After living in Yorkshire for nearly seven years, the North York Moors National Park is one of my favorite areas. Without a doubt, the Hole of Horcum is my favorite hike not just in the North York Moors or Yorkshire, but in the entirety of the UK. I’ve done this walk so many times I’ve… Read More Hiking the Hole of Horcum in the North York Moors
Cradle Mountain is a symbol of Tasmania: the jagged mountain peak is one the most recognizable on the island. If you’re a hiker, you’ve likely already heard about this mountain – it’s one hike you can’t miss in Tassie. The hike up to the Cradle Mountain summit is long and challenging. But it’s absolutely spectacular… Read More Cradle Mountain Summit: What to Know About This Epic Hike in Tasmania
A trip to Tasmania is a huge undertaking – it may look small compared to the rest of Australia, but there is so much to see here! I spent one amazing month of my Lap of Australia road tripping around Tasmania, and loved every second. If you’re looking to put together a one-month itinerary for Tasmania,… Read More A One-Month Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
Driving a Lap of Australia is one of the most epic adventures you can ever do. I would know – I did it myself! But a journey of this magnitude means doing a lot of research, planning, and preparation beforehand. From how you’ll travel, what your setup will be, and where to go (and when!), there’s… Read More Driving a Lap of Australia: Top Tips for Planning Your Trip
Tasmania is one of my favorite places I visited on my Lap of Australia. This island state has so much to offer, especially if you enjoy being outdoors and hiking. There are simply so many spectacular spots to visit, it’s hard to choose! Here’s my pick of the most incredible destinations to see in Tasmania.… Read More 49 Spectacular Places You Must Visit in Tasmania
Looking for a fantastic day hike in Tasmania? Head to Mount Field National Park and tackle the Tarn Shelf Circuit – this walk goes past beautiful alpine lakes, climbing up onto the shelf for spectacular views over the area. This was one of my favorite hikes in all of Tasmania, and that’s saying something as… Read More Hiking the Tarn Shelf Circuit in Mount Field National Park, Tasmania
