There are plenty of occasions when you need a present for a friend or a family member. Christmas, Valentine, birthdays, graduations… You know they like hiking, but wat to gift them? “Should I buy a jacket? Or a pair of hiking socks? Or maybe a camping cooking set?”

These are good ideas, but let’s be honest: they aren’t really original. If you want to take a different road, have a look at these 7 original gifts for hikers and outdoor lovers. Surprise them with something different. Believe me, they’ll be happy! (I know I would )

1. DIY hiking gift basket

Have you ever thought of creating your own hiking basket? You can add as much as you want. To get you started: buy some cereal bars, water purifying pills, a water bottle, a warm buff, a map, head torch… The list is endless and it works for any budget. You decide how many items you include and how much money you spend.

For the perfect finish you can even buy a cool fanny pack to put all the different gifts in. I love making and giving presents like these. They’re way more creative and personal.

2. Personalised outdoor clothing

You can never go wrong with some good outdoor clothing. But what about making it extra special? The team at Decathlon offers a personalisation service. For only a few euros extra you can print a text or design on a shirt, jacket or even gloves.

I got my boyfriend and photographer Nico a jacket with his logo. Now he can be recognised even if he doesn’t want too. It looks just amazing! Don’t you think so?

To surprise my little brother I had some running shirts made. On both of them it said: “Team De Brauwer”, because we’re an awesome team.

He opened the gift and got a big smile all over his 13-year-old face! His mum reacted: “You should get one for your dad too, so you can all go running together”. Wouldn’t that be a great sight?

I’m a big fan of personal gifts. You’re doing that little extra for someone you love. Which is why I like Decathlon’s personalisation print service. I love the quality and the uniqueness it. It’s the perfect original and outdoorsy gift!

For more information about giving your clothes and gifts a personal touch, have a look here: Decathlon personalisation.

3. Give a survival course!

Give one of the ultimate gifts for hikers: survival training. After a quick google search you’ll notice that there is something for everyone.  You can find half day, one day, two day or even week-long courses.

Go for a bushcraft or foraging course; or choose the more adventurous mountain expedition skills training. Your family member or friend will learn essential survival skills and you know that you’ll always be safe when you’re out on an adventure with them. Win-win. Isn’t that a good investment of your money?

4. A camera to capture your adventures

Do you have a large budget available? Then look into buying a camera. Get a DSLR if the lucky one is into photography. If they would just like some memories of their outdoor adventures for fun, you can go for a compact camera or gopro. It’s a lot of fun to take some shots of your hikes and adventures.

I use a Canon 70D and have been happy with it for quite a few years now. I went with Canon because I knew their cameras were good for videography, which I was doing a lot back then. The 70D is a good semi-professional camera and great for making videos and taking pictures. It is a bit heavy taking it up the mountains though. There are now a lot more and lighter camera’s on the market, like the Sony cameras. If you want to surprise your friend or family member with a camera, I recommend taking them to the shop – this way they definitely get something they love.

5. Tickets to Reel Rock or Banff Mountain Film Festival

Get inspired by the most adventurous people at the Reel Rock or Banff Mountain Festival. You’ll see short (and long) documentaries about adventurers on a wild expedition, beautiful parts of the world and incredible stories from incredible people. And it’s a fun night out for the two of you!

There are screenings worldwide. Have a look if there is one nearby you. Do you want to go all the way to Canada? Here is an overview with some hikes to do: hiking Canada.

6. Buy a membership

Get active! Even better: do it together. Climbing, kayaking, sailing, rowing, the list is endless. Maybe your friend has been thinking of going climbing for a long time, but never followed up on it. This is the moment! Give them a membership and they’ll be happy that you pushed them in following up on their plans and dreams.

7. Go on an adventure together

Because there’s nothing more fun than going on an adventure with a loved one. They like to bike? Prepare a biking trip. They like to hike? Organise a surprise hike up a mountain. Take some tasty snacks or even a bottle of wine if you wish, and watch the sunset together on top of the mountain. Those are the moments they will remember, way more than any material gift. And you will too.

It’s the simple and personal things that mean the most.

There you go, those were my top gifts for hikers. Did you find something you like? Or do you know some other unique gifts? Let me know in the comments below!

This article is sponsored by Decathlon Belgium. All opinions are, as always, my own! Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which supports this site without costing you anything extra. Thanks for helping me buy my coffee 

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I was 26, quit my job and got on a plane with destination: other side of the world. I was ready for a new adventure: a 1-year trip to Australia and New Zealand. I wanted to travel by myself and explore the world.

That year turned into many more. Although I promised my mum to not fall in love on the other side of the world, I couldn’t help it. When I visited New Zealand I met Nico and I ended up staying more than 3 years. Sorry mum…

Seeing new places, meeting people, doing fun and crazy activities got me writing and sharing those experiences on my website. I can’t believe it has been FIVE years.

More than I expected

My travel blog developed into something bigger, which I never expected or which wasn’t even my goal. I just wanted to share moments and places with family at home. Not only has my knowledge of the world improved, my photography got a great deal better too.

My blog has brought me many places and I am so grateful for every single moment. I ended up working with many companies and brands and can’t believe what I got to do. Flying in helicopters over the New Zealand mountains, discovering Belgian quaint villages, driving through the Italian mountains, staying in luxury lodges in the Canadian parks, going canyoning and documenting a kiwi release are just a few of them.

Sometimes I pinch myself or tell Nico how lucky we are to be able to experience these things. We’re so privileged, but we know it.

If I would die tomorrow (but let’s hope not), I can say that I have truly lived. I have no regrets and gave it all to get everything out of life.

Want to get inspired? Here are a few links to some of my favourite adventures:

A Week in Mount Assinboine National Park – Canada

Visit Dinant: Belgium’s little gem

Everything you need to know to hike to Liverpool Hut – New Zealand

How to spend a romantic weekend in Queenstown? – New Zealand

Hiking Roys Peak in Wanaka – New Zealand

Before I end this little bloganniversary I wanted to say thank you. For being there and for following my adventures. I hope you all get inspired and start thinking about your next adventure. Thank you.

And as always, if you have any questions or want to get in touch: flick me a message.

Love, Lieselot

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I can imagine some of you don’t have enough time when visiting Wanaka. I know the feeling; there is so much to see, and never enough time. Well, if you don’t have time for a big walk, then go for a short one like Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain. It takes less long and will already give a good taste of the beautiful views in Wanaka.

It took me a few times to visit Wanaka (and tick some other hikes off my list) before I hiked Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain. When some friends visited me I saw the time right to hike up this little beauty! They had already conquered Roys Peak and Roys Glacier and we were feeling a bit lazy – so Diamond Lake it was!

Don’t think it’s easy peasy when you read ‘lazy’. What I mean is that this trail is easy and doesn’t take very long.

Diamond Lake Wanaka: lookouts galore

The advantage of going up Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain is that there are a few rewarding viewpoints, and you basically can turn back whenever you want (without being disappointed).

If you’re just looking for a stroll, do the Diamond Lake circuit, taking you around the little lake. The views are better from above though, so if you have time hike to Diamond Lake lookout, where you see the lake from above. It has a nice, round shape and often awards you with nice reflections. You don’t see Lake Wanaka yet. There is a platform to take a little rest and soak in the view.

Then it’s time for the next lookout: Lake Wanaka lookout. Follow the track to the right and about 20 minutes later you have a stunning view on Lake Wanaka and its surrounding peaks. There’s a bench to enjoy the view and have some lunch.

To the top: Rocky Mountain!

Some people only hike until the first or second viewpoint, but if you want some better views I recommend to keep going. Follow the trail up, along the mountain and before you know it you’ll be on the top of Rocky Mountain. How awesome is that name by the way!

Enjoy the magnificent views on Lake Wanaka, have a snack, take a rest and then you can start hiking down. This is a loop track, so you can explore a different trail on your way down.

Hiking details Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain

It’s a very clear and easy trail to follow. You can definitely take kids or older people up if they have a basic level of fitness. The great thing is that you get rewarded very quickly, with the multiple viewpoints along the trail. You can choose to hike to wherever you feel like. Although I still highly recommend going to the very top!

Follow the track from car park and climb steadily up. You can choose to do a circuit around the lake (which is 2,5km) or you can keep going up to the Diamond Lake lookout (about 1h return).

Follow the track up until you can either go left or right. To the right you have the Lake Wanaka lookout, while the left track will guide you to the summit of Rocky Mountain (775m and 3h return). It is a loop track that will guide you nicely down another way!

How to get to the start of Diamond Lake Wanaka hike?

This trail starts from the Diamond Lake Carpark on Mount Aspiring Road. It’s a 20 minutes drive from Wanaka. You first pass Glendhu Bay, then West Wanaka Road (on your right side) and the carpark shows up 1,5km after you have passed W Wanaka Road.

It’s a large carpark, so you should have no trouble parking your car.

Want to read more about Wanaka, its surroundings and more hikes in the area? Have a look at some articles here: Wanaka

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Have you ever wanted to walk on an active volcano? White Island might be the place for you! If you don’t mind going to New Zealand

A few weeks ago, my New Years Eve plans were messed up by the extreme cold in Canada. I was stuck in my Airbnb and couldn’t get to my location. Every year I try to do something different on the last day of the year.

In 2015 I found myself motorbiking the NZ South Island and in 2014 I had the weirdest, alcohol-less New Year’s Eve in the Maldives. This year it was clear that life doesn’t always the way you want it.

Luckily the year before was still fresh in my head, because I WALKED ON AN ACTIVE VOLCANO.

I spent the day on the volcano, in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. First I took the boat with White Island Tours out there, seeing lots of dolphins, and then I walked in the inner crater of White Island – while the steam was getting out!

I also tasted the volcano… don’t ask me why

Here’s the White Island video!

As you can see, it was a beautiful day out. For more information on the trip, read my detailed volcano blogpost HERE.

Have you walked on a volcano?

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Although I had a good year, in 2017 the world wasn’t always a safe place, with terror attacks, hunger and the ongoing climate change. We definitely have a lot of work to do in 2018, but let’s not loose hope. I suggest we start by being nice to each other and take care of our planet.

My love for our planet grows with every moment I spend outside, whether that is in New Zealand, Canada or Belgium. Of course with my camera by my side to capture it all.

Below you find my 2017 highlights in photos! 

1. Weekend Adventures in Wharariki – January 2017

I spent a lovely long weekend at one of my favourite places in New Zealand: Wharariki Beach. Me and some photography friends had a lot of fun capturing sunsets and sunrises. It’s a wonderful feeling when everyone is on the same page and just loves being out there with their camera.

2. West Coast Heli Flight – February 2017

I’m a lucky girl, I’ve seen quite a bit of New Zealand from above. My flight over glacier country with West Coast Tourism though was by far the best. Sometimes I have to pinch myself by the amazing things I get to do with The World is a Circus. This helicopter flight almost got me emotional, as it was incredibly beautiful to see the glaciers, the crevasses and patterns from above. If you want to do one flight in New Zealand, do this one!

3. 30^th Birthday at Liverpool Hut – April 2017

2017 was also the year I turned 30… Yes, I’m starting to feel (get?) old. Just think about it, the year 2000 is almost 20 years ago! I still remember being in high school, and don’t know where the time went. To make the transition less painful Nico and I decided to hike to Liverpool Hut, in Mount Aspiring National Park. I spent my last day as a 29-year old in the mountains, and that was a great decision. At least I could tell myself that my ‘old’ legs were still able to climb high

4. Romance in Queenstown – June 2017

My boyfriend and I often go shooting (photography ) together in the most beautiful locations. That’s pretty awesome, but you’re mostly busy with your own stuff and not with each other. So I got the idea to focus on romance one weekend in Queenstown. You’d be surprised how many romantic activities are available in the adventure capital of the world! In need of some ideas? Get some inspiration: Queenstown romance. 

5. Jane Goodall Talk – June 2017

After years and years of admiring and following anthropologist and activist Jane Goodall, I finally got to see her speak in Christchurch. She’s 83 years old and still radiates inspiration. Her work is so important for this world, and I hope she has a good influence on you too. Visit the Jane Goodall Institute if you want to learn or do more.

I took some pictures that night, but unfortunately can’t find them anymore. I still wanted to mention it, as she is a kick-ass woman!

6. Mount Cook Goodbye – July 2017

I’ve visited Mount Cook many times, but this was a special visit, as it was my last New Zealand weekend before going to Canada. It was hard to say goodbye to New Zealand, because it is the most amazing country. Nico and I wanted one last roadie, and of course we went to Mount Cook.

7. Garibaldi Lake Hike – August 2017

In August we hopped on a plane to Canada. It felt quite nice to go from New Zealand winter to Canadian summer. August was all about hiking. It was the end of summer, so we had to make the most of it. And we did. Our first longer trip once the smoke cleared was Garibaldi Lake, with a sunrise hike to Panorama Ridge.

8. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park Week – August 2017

I spent a week in nature, when hiking in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. A week without phones, computers or civilisation is something that everyone needs once in a while. We hiked, laughed and took many photos. The only thing we forgot was a bottle of wine. Beautiful area and on the list to return!

9. Multi-Day Maligne Lake Canoe Trip – September 2017

Canoeing Maligne Lake was one of my highlights. I discovered that I didn’t like canoeing, but still absolutely loved the experience (if that makes sense?). We got wind, snow and most of all insane scenery.

10. Family Christmas in Belgium – December 2017

I ended an amazing 2017 with some long overdue Christmas time in Belgium. It had been four years since I spent it in Belgium. The previous years I was in Australia, India and New Zealand, so 2017 was the year to have a winter Christmas with lots of presents!

I also spent a lot of time with family and friends and even explored my own backyard a bit (including spending a night in a castle in Wallonia!). My Belgium trip was the cherry on the cake of a memorable 2017.

Time has flown by, when I look at all these amazing things I’ve done. I’m ready to enjoy 2018 and can’t wait to see what it has in store.

What were your 2017 highlights? Tell me about your favourite moment!

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I’ve been dreaming of New Zealand since I was a young girl. I knew the scenery was stunning, but that was about it. After eventually living there for a few years, I can tell you: life in New Zealand is pretty damn great. Living in a country is the best way to experience how different it is from other countries. To my surprise there were quite a few differences between New Zealand and the rest of the world.

1. People are SUPER nice

You’ve probably heard this before, but Kiwis are beyond friendly. There are no words for it. People care about you, they want you to be ok, and are interested. I love that people are kind and polite. It is easy to smile to someone, but in the world of today many people like to mind their own business. In New Zealand I didn’t get this feeling.

When I go for a run, people just say hi, even cars passing by. Or there is a nice cashier, bus lady or even people on the street. In Belgium it was more everyone in his or her own world, and you don’t talk to or smile to strangers… I think we should change that!

2. Houses have no central heating

Winter is really cold in New Zealand. Not because of the temperatures, but because of the insulation. Most kiwi houses don’t have a central heating system or double glazed windows.

As a European I can’t imagine being cold inside my home. I’m used to escape the outside cold and to put the heating on inside. In New Zealand I was still cold inside our house, and I even saw the air of my breath. Of course we had a fireplace in the living room, and I ended up using a little, mobile heater in my room too – because it was just too unpleasant. Luckily more and more houses are now installing central heating too!

3. People walk barefoot

Yes, this is true! And I don’t just mean at the beach. I often see people walking barefoot in the supermarket, on the streets or even in restaurants. And these people are from all different background and ages. I once saw a sporty father walking into a restaurant with his three daughters, all with bare feet I love how relaxed kiwis are and don’t care.

4. People care less

This closely follows number 3. Most people don’t care. They do what they want and they feel good about it. A great example, besides walking barefoot, is: the onesie. A onesie is a one-piece garment. You could call it a jumpsuit, but it looks more like a pyjama (and often looks ridiculous). Now and then I see people walking around in onesies in supermarkets, on the streets or at parties.

5. Kiwis do not like roundabouts

I am being really nice with this one. I’ve heard many Christchurch residents say: people can’t drive. Which translates itself to dysfunctional roundabouts. I’ve seen drivers wait until the entire roundabout is empty, do dangerous moves, use the wrong indicator, or don’t use any. It has even come to the point that Christchurch City is changing roundabouts back in to traffic lights (not kidding).

6. There are more sheep than people in New Zealand

We all know New Zealand has a lot of nature, and with those wide fields comes a lot of farming. In those fields: lots of sheep! In spring it’s adorable to see all the little lambs bouncing around. Spring is by the way a great time to visit New Zealand!

Did you know that there are more sheep than people in New Zealand. At the moment there are 4.6 million people in New Zealand, and 27.6 million sheep. New Zealanders are outnumbered by their livestock population!

7. There are no dangerous animals

As someone who loves hiking and being outdoors, this is an important one. There are no snakes, bears, lions, wolfs, or other dangerous or deadly animals in New Zealand. There is a tiny exception, which is the Katipo Spider – but it’s very rare to encounter this one.

New Zealand is a land of birds, and all the mammals you find there have been introduced. Luckily the introduced species weren’t dangerous to people, still maintaining the safe image of New Zealand.

8. Kiwis hardly use cash

EFTPOS is embedded in daily life. It’s a bankcard, which you can use for debit or credit payments. It’s super easy and no need to fumble with coins. I know every country has their own bank and credit cards, but I was amazed by how many New Zealanders never or hardly use money.

Cash is seen less and less, and in my opinion this is the future. I’m impressed how New Zealand is very modern by already anticipating this.

9. You get free tap water in restaurants and cafes

I absolutely love New Zealand for this (and all other countries that do this). When tap water is potable in a country, it should be offered for free when going out for dinner or a coffee. It’s something so basic and important, and yet there are countries where this isn’t an option, or where you pay for tap water…

My home country Belgium for example is way behind in this field. Every time I visit a restaurant that doesn’t offer free tap water, I’m biting my tongue. I see people ordering unhealthy fizzy drinks, while if there’s free water, they might not order these crap drinks. The USA and Canada do great as well with free tap water. I wish every country would follow their lead!

10. Free public toilets almost everywhere

This is an important one for the ladies. In New Zealand you’ll find public toilets almost everywhere! You even have a realistic chance of finding free, public toilets in the smallest town. Perfect for when you’re on a road trip and can’t hold it anymore! On top of that, the toilets are very well maintained!

To me, travelling isn’t just about the scenery and activities, but also the differences. Sometimes you get challenged, and sometimes you discover new habits which are way better than yours!

Did I forget anything? Or is there a weird or interesting difference you’ve encountered travelling? 

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Most tourists visit New Zealand in summer, which is December – January in the Southern Hemisphere. The temperatures are higher (which is nice), but you’ll have to deal with lots of people. Spring on the other hand is one of the best periods of the year to visit the country. So I wrote down a number of reasons why you should leave summer behind, and come a few months earlier to visit New Zealand in spring.

1. Less tourists

As I mentioned before, summer is New Zealand’s high season. Do you really want to fight for a spot at one of its famous locations? No! In spring you’ll get a chance to experience New Zealand as it really is: peaceful and quiet.

New Zealand welcomes more than three million visitors each year, so believe me: it can be really busy sometimes. High season usually starts early December, so book your trip in spring, which is in October or November, and you’ll have a way nicer experience.

2. Taste new wines

Spring is the time of the year to taste new wines. New Zealand is home to many vineyards, and who doesn’t love wine? For me experiencing a country also means indulging yourself in the local cuisine.

There are lots of wine regions in New Zealand, but Marlborough, Waipara, Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay are my favourite ones. Have a look here (link) if you want more information about the New Zealand wine regions. https://www.nzwine.com/en/our-regions

In November there is also the Food and Wine Festival in Hawkes Bay. Get ready for a belly full of yum food and delicious wines.

3. Little lambs

Even if you prefer to eat them, they still are adorable to see. In spring you will find little lambs all over New Zealand, and they are the cutest. Fields are filled with lambs, and it is a pleasure to see.

I actually used to eat lamb, but after seeing those little cuties jumping in the fields for a few years I stopped… My heart won from my appetite!

4. Cheaper accommodation

Accommodation will be a bit cheaper, as the masses of tourists still has to arrive. On another note, it will also be easier to find accommodation, as in summer it can be hard to find a last-minute spot in popular places like Mount Cook Village and Queenstown.

Have a look what’s available!

Booking.com

5. Lupins are in bloom

New Zealand in spring equals lupins. And here’s a secret. Lupins are a pest in New Zealand. The beautiful purple and pink flowers are a non-native, invasive species and are taking over the habitat of New Zealand’s wildlife.

They look pretty, but don’t belong in New Zealand’s high-country landscape. Photographers love them though (I’m guilty too), and take lots of pictures with the lupins.

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Let’s make a deal. When you visit New Zealand in spring, and you take a picture of the lupins, pull a few out! Roots included, otherwise they’re not gone. This way you get your shot, but you’re also helping the country.

6. There is still snow

Snow on the mountains! Do I need to say more? The country is transforming from winter into summer, meaning you’ll still have some snow around. And we all know, mountains look way more impressive under a layer of snow. In summer most of the snow on the mountains will have disappeared.

And if you like skiing, you might be lucky. Sometimes there is a big dump of snow in spring, and the ski fields stay open until end September.

Average spring temperatures range from 16 to 19 degrees Celsius, but there are also plenty of warmer (and colder) days. Weather in New Zealand can change unexpectedly, so always bring enough layers of clothes with you.

And, tempted to go? Believe me, you won’t be disappointed visiting New Zealand in spring. I went for a two-month holiday to New Zealand and ended up staying 3,5years. So be careful

If you like some inspiration on what to visit during your trip, check out these beautiful places:

New Zealand From Above: Mount Cook

A Weekend in Franz Josef

Hike Roys Peak, Wanaka

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Which season do you prefer? Would you like to visit New Zealand in spring or are you more a summer person? Let me know!

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Once you enter Fiordland National Park, you’ll notice dramatic scenery with high mountains and peaceful lakes. This Fiordland guide will get you set for an awesome time in this magical part of New Zealand!

Get lost in the Sounds

Fiordland National Park is home to the stunning fiords of Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound (and many more), with lots of options to explore.

The best way to discover this area is hiking the many walking tracks (Milford Track, Kepler Track, Routeburn Track), taking a cruise on the water or flying above the scenery, to really understand the vastness of this area.

What activities can I do in Fiordland?

Because Fiordland is so big, there is LOTS to do – which we love. From cruising on the water and enjoying a movie, to eating delicious food in Te Anau. There’s something for everyone. Here’s a list of activities!

Milford Sound cruise

This is an all time favourite of tourists visiting New Zealand. Don’t expect to be by yourself or to be only boat in the Sound. Having said that, it is a beautiful area, and worth visiting.

I joined the Mitre Peak Cruise, and the boat took me past big waterfalls all the way to the end of the Sound and the beginning of the Tasman Sea. Pretty cool! If you’re lucky you’ll also see some seals chilling on the rocks.

TIP: Have a walk around the shore at sunrise. You will be almost by yourself and will probably be treated on some beautiful reflections.

Doubtful Sound Cruise

From one cruise to another. As I said, Fiordland National Park has a lot to offer!

The Doubtful Sound cruise is less famous and less crowded, making it way more special. I toured along with family business Real Journeys. We were the only boat on the water that day and REALLY experienced the peacefulness and tranquillity of the Sound.

You stay about 4 hours on the calm water, but it is a day trip, as it takes some effort to get to the beginning of the cruise. Unlike Milford, there is no direct road access to Doubtful Sound. The only way to get there is by a 1h cruise across Lake Manapouri and a coach trip over Wilmot Pass.

Doubtful Sound is extremely vast (3x longer than Milford) and almost untouched by man. It’s also sometimes called the ‘Sound of Silence’, because – yes you guess it – it is so silent. See more pictures of my cruise on Doubtful Sound here: https://theworldisacircus.com/2017/08/doubtful-sound-a-photo-diary/

Scenic Flight

Flying above the scenery is one of my favourite activities. It’s a bit more expensive than the regular cruise or hike, but it’s so worth it. There are many options to see Fiordland National Park from above, but I hopped on a small scenic flight in Queenstown with Milford Sound Scenic Flights.

We flew all the way from Queenstown to Milford Sound, covering a big area with LOTS of mountains. I especially loved the little hidden lakes in the mountains; it looked out of this world.

Check out more pictures in this article about Milford From Above: https://theworldisacircus.com/2017/06/milford-sound-from-above/

Fiordland Cinema

I love the outdoors and landscape, but I’m also a huge movie fan. I can’t keep count of all the movies I’ve seen, and especially in cute little New Zealand cinemas.

The Fiordland Cinema in Te Anau definitely belongs on that list. It’s a little cinema, with only one room. Watching a movie after spending some time outside is the perfect end of the day! Buy some wine, beer or snacks at the counter and enjoy the movie.

We watched the locally filmed movie ‘Ata Whenua – Shadowland’, showing a mysterious and spectacular Fiordland National Park. It’s mostly filmed from a helicopter and gives tremendous views of Fiordland.

Glowworm caves

New Zealand is home to many glowworm caves. That’s dark caves with little lights all around you: the glowworms. Glowworms actually aren’t worms, but larvae. The little larvae use their light to lure insects into their fishing lines.

Not all glowworm caves are easily accessible, so Real Journeys welcome the public at the western shores of Lake Te Anau. The trip starts with a cruise from Te Anau. Then you reach the cave on the other shore and walk inside. After a little while you board a small boat and cruise through the cave. There is no artificial light, and once your eyes are adapted to the dark you see all the glowworms popping up.

Key Summit Walk

Next to the three great walks in the area, you also find many smaller ones, like Key Summit. It’s a half day walk, starting off the Milford Road.

The first part of the walk is on the Routeburn Track, one of the great walks. You hike about 1 hour and a half up to Key Summit, and will get great views. Take some lunch, enjoy the view and then you’re ready for the walk down! It’s a perfect walk if you don’t have a lot of time.

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You can find more information about the walk on Fiordland Tourism’s website:  Key Summit

Drive the road to Milford

The road to Milford Sound is one of the most famous one in New Zealand. It’s an activity on its own. Make sure you have enough time to make plenty of stops to take the camera out.

Don’t worry if it’s raining, there will be waterfalls all around you when you exit the famous Milford tunnel. Do be very careful if it’s icy. The road is sometimes closed, because the conditions are too dangerous to drive.

Red Cliff Café Restaurant

I got this tip from a local, and I did not regret checking it out!

Te Anau is an active town and has a lot of food options. One that I highly recommend and is super charming is The Red Cliff Cafe. It’s charm and uniqueness is already visible from outside. You’ll get fine food in a cosy atmosphere.

We had a delicious truffel ravioli entréé and salmon and beef as our main. We were having such a good time, so we also ordered a chocolate dessert. That was the only course that disappointed us, it was not very tasty. We didn’t care too much as the rest of the food was insanely good. So here is my tip: check out The Red Cliff Cafe, but don’t order a dessert

Lake Te Anau sunset

You haven’t experienced a weekend in Fiordland without enjoying a beautiful sunset. You can watch one in Milford Sound, or I also recommend Lake Te Anau. It’s the Largest lake in the South Island and nice to spend the evening. Take your camera, or a bottle of wine and take in the sunset.

How To Get To Fiordland?

Fiordland stretches out from the north of Milford Sound to the very southwest of New Zealand. The best way to access it is from Queenstown.

To get to Milford Sound you can either drive yourself (which I recommend) or take a bus. Milford Sound is 279km from Queenstown (a bit less than 4 hours) and 121km from Te Anau. When you leave from Queenstown, you follow the road to Te Anau, and then from Te Anau to Milford Sound.

If you drive from Christchurch, you first pass Queenstown, then Te Anau, and then you’re on the last stretch to Milford Sound.

The closest international airport is in Queenstown. You can then rent a car, or take a bus or day tour.

TIP: there is limited cellphone coverage on the road to Milford and there are no shops or petrol stations between Te Anau and Milford Sound. Make sure that you have all the food and fuel you need!

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Where To Stay in Fiordland National Park?

There are many accommodation options in Fiordland. There is Milford Sound, which is very popular. Because it is small and there aren’t many options the price is a bit high. Te Anau is the closest city to Milford, and there you’ll find some accommodation which is better for your wallet. That being said, you can also find lovely places to stay in Manapouri or local farms!

Booking.com

Have a search, and find what suits you best!

Disclosure: some links might contain affiliate links. That means that by no extra cost of your own, you will be supporting this blog by buying something through these links. Thank you!

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Have you been to Fiordland National Park? What would you want to visit?

The post Weekend in Fiordland: What You Can’t Miss! appeared first on The World is a Circus.

Most tourists go to Milford Sound, because it is easier accessible than the other sounds, and it also looks stunning of course. But don’t pass Doubtful Sound, it is bigger than Milford and very different. You’ll feel humbled being there.

Milford Sound isn’t the only Sound worth visiting in New Zealand.

Unlike Milford, there is no direct road access to Doubtful Sound. The only way to get there is by a 1h cruise across Lake Manapouri and a coach trip over Wilmot Pass. Because it isn’t easy to go there on your own, I teamed up with the local and family-owned Real Journeys for a day trip.

The trip to the start of our Doubtful Sound cruise was already beautiful, but once we were on the big boat in the Sound I was just blown away. Doubtful Sound is extremely vast (3x longer than Milford) and almost untouched by man. It’s also sometimes called the ‘Sound of Silence’, because – yes you guess it – it is so silent.

The calm water was mesmerising. It was a cold and crisp day, but I just didn’t want to go inside. We spent three hours on the water in the Sound, but I could’ve stayed much longer. Real Journeys also offers overnight cruises, but only unfortunately for me, not in winter. Spending a night on the water would be a dream.

What a perfect day.

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Disclosure: the day trip on Doubtful Sound was offered to me by Real Journeys. My opinions, stay as always my own. Since arriving in New Zealand, I’ve always wanted to visit Doubtful Sound, I’m happy I did now and that I can share this beautiful location with you. 

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We jumped in the car and were ready for our girls’ weekend. The drive from Christchurch to Akaroa is absolutely gorgeous (see some tips below for the best route). It was a cloudy day, but the Banks Peninsula still looked stunning. I think it’s very hard to find ‘ugly’ scenery in New Zealand. Oh, we’re so spoiled.

France or New Zealand?

Akaroa is a small, historic village on the Banks Peninsula, only an hour and a half from Christchurch. There are about 650 inhabitants, and it’s mostly known for its French touch.

French explorers tried to colonise Akaroa in 1840, but arrived just a few days after the British. They still managed to leave a big influence though. Akaroa breathes a French atmosphere, with the colonial architecture, French street names, and a gas station that’s called ‘L’Essence’.

Akaroa is small, but let that not mislead you. There are lots of things to do. You can find a list of my favourite activities below!

Dolphins with Black cat cruises

The Akaroa waters are home to the rare Hector dolphins. They are the smallest dolphin species around and a delight to see. Dolphins have something playful and disarming, I just love watching them.

Black Cat Cruises is the place to be if you like to meet some dolphins (and believe me: you want to!). We signed up for a swim with the dolphins and went on the water. There was a bit of a swell that day, which tested our stomachs, and made the boat ride very bumpy.

I didn’t really mind. It’s nature in its glory, and it made adrenaline rush through my veins.

I saw dolphins swimming and some even put a show up for us.

We also saw a White Flippered penguin, aka the world’s smallest penguin, in the middle of the water, which was cute and funny in a weird way. If you want to see some penguins from up close I highly recommend doing a tour with Pohatu Penguins. They help the population grow and take care of wounded penguins.

In the end all the dolphins we encountered were feeding, so we couldn’t swim with them. It was still very cool to see them in their habitat, and if you don’t manage to swim with the dolphins, Black Cat Cruises pays a portion of your fee back.

Alpacal Love

Do I need say anything more? Doesn’t this picture say everything? Alpacas are cute and they’re just the best.

On Saturday afternoon we spent some time with the alpacas at Shamarra Alpacas. They have 150 alpacas, and we got to walk between them, feed them, and learned a lot about this beautiful animal.

I don’t want to know how many photos I took, but I can tell you this: many.

Did you know that they produce wool in 22 different colours? It’s the only animal in the world that produces this many colours. They clearly wear it well.

Not only will you enjoy spending time with alpacas, you get some superb views, as the farm lies up a hill.

Accommodation

You won’t have any problem finding nice accommodation in Akaroa. There are Holiday Houses, B&B’s and hotels.

We opted for the Akaroa Waterfront Motel, because it is right in town, and – yes you guess it – right at the water. Our little studio with double bed and 2 single beds was perfect for the three of us. We had a couch, kitchenette, table and balcony!

I loved that we could just walk to the water and to nearby cafes, but it was also nice to spent some time inside. With, as it should on any girls’ weekend, wine, cheese and crackers.

Book your stay here: Akaroa Waterfront Motels 

Giant’s House

Do you want to feel in a different world? Go to the Giant’s House. Your eyes will go wild, exploring all the impressive and huge sculptures.

The Giant’s House is up a little hill in Akaroa, and owned by Josie Martin. She’s the artist, and has made EVERYTHING herself, over the last 20 years. I think we can call that persistence, patience and talent.

There is so much to see. I could’ve spent all afternoon there. I recommend that you just take your time and wander around. You’d be surprised of what you’ll find.

FOOD

Food can’t be excluded in this guide to Akaroa. Exploring a new place makes one hungry. Luckily for us, there are some good options in this quirky town!

Sweet As

Sweet As café is as French as it can be. Lots of red colours around, freshly baked croissants, baguettes and sweet and savoury crepes.

Every time I visit Akaroa I make a stop at Sweet As, because their croissants and sweets transport me to France. 

Hilltop tavern

A must stop for the view! The location of the Hilltop Tavern is superb. The tables inside and outside give you a first class view on the Banks Peninsula.

I recommend stopping on your way to Akaroa, or on your way back to Christchurch. Take a coffee, wine or some yum food and enjoy the view! It almost looks like a painting!

Sweet and Savage

Looking for some energy? The doughnuts from Sweet ‘n Savage are the perfect sugar infusion. They almost look too delicious to eat, but we did it anyway (no regrets).

You can see and taste that they are made with love. Baker Rachel makes them just outside of Akaroa, and she brings a little food caravan into town in summer. If you want to try them in winter, then I recommend visiting the Christchurch Cafes Uncommon or Park Ranger. They sell her doughnuts too.

Wine

A great place for wine tasting is French Peak Wines. You can find the vineyard on the shore of the Akaroa Harbour.

They ‘re specialised in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, and I like all of them

The Brasserie

On Sunday morning we slowly woke up at The Brasserie, with a much needed coffee and some breakfast. I ate the eggs benedict, tasty and beautifully presented on my plate. I always appreciate it, when cafes do that little extra to present food nicely.

Waterfall Walk

The Banks Peninsula is home to many walks and longer hikes. One right in town is the Newton’s waterfall.

You drive up Aylmers Valley Road to the Misty Parks Reserve car park, or you can walk up the hill. I opted for option two, to stretch the legs a bit.

It’s only a 10-minute walk from the carpark to the waterfall. I didn’t expect much, but it turned out to be quite impressive, rainbow included!

Cinema fever

I’m a fan of little cute cinemas (as you can read here), and Akaroa hides one as well. The Akaroa Cinema is small, with only two small rooms available.

You can take a coffee or wine inside and enjoy a movie in peace.

Some extra tips…

• When driving to Akaroa, start at Dyers pass road, then take Main Road en Gebbies Pass road until you’re in Little River. From then you just follow the main road to Akaroa. This route gives you a beautiful view on the peninsula. It’s a small detour, but you’ll be able to get a better view of the Banks Peninsula.

• Near Akaroa you’ll find the scenic road: Summit Road. Take it on your way to Akaroa. It’s a little detour, but the views are the best. You get a great vantage point, and at one point you will see water on your left and right.

I hope after reading this girls’ guide to Akaroa that you don’t ignore this cute French town when you’re visiting Christchurch!

Disclosure: I received discounts and free activities for the dolphin tours, accommodation, alpaca tour, doughnuts and the Giant’s House. All opinions are, as always my own. Some links might contain affiliate links. That means that by no extra cost of your own, you will be supporting this blog by buying something through these links. Thank you!

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