Glenorchy
Less than an hour from the bustling Queenstown, Glenorchy feels a world apart but shares the same epic scenery. With strict development controls and being on a road to effectively…
Author: jontycrane
Mt McIntosh & Mt Judah Tracks
An enjoyably challenging (~1,400m ascent and descent) full day loop walk along the Mt McIntosh & Mt Judah Tracks, in the hills behind Glenorchy (an hour north of Queenstown), offering…
Auckland Domain Wintergardens
In the Domain, one of the largest parks in Central Auckland, the Wintergardens are always a pleasure to visit. Filled with life and warmth, they’re a great place to escape…
Motukorea / Browns Island
Motukorea / Browns Island is a 10,000 year old volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf, less than 4km offshore from the Auckland suburb of St Heliers. After centuries of cultivation…
Fletcher Trust Art Collection
One of the largest corporate art collection in New Zealand, the Fletcher Trust collection was established by Fletcher Building in the early 1980s. Thankfully as a separately managed trust it…
Te Uru
An always interesting and engaging place, Te Uru is a wonderful art gallery in Titirangi, in the centre of West Auckland. The new building opened in 2014 is one of…
Pah Homestead
Home to the Wallace Collection, one of the largest private art collection in New Zealand, the Pah Homestead is the perfect use for what was once one of the largest…
Auckland Art Gallery
The second largest art gallery in the country after Te Papa in Wellington, Auckland Art Gallery is always an interesting place to visit. They rotate the exhibitions frequently so there’s…
Staying in a homestay
Increasingly popular, homestays are a great way to give directly back to local communities while traveling, and are always a memorable experience. Many of my recent trips have been with…
Mari Mari Cultural Village
Set up about nine years ago, Mari Mari Cultural Village is an evocative reminder of traditional Sabah culture, less than half an hour from Kota Kinabalu. It is also popular…
Sandakan and Gomantong Caves
The second largest city in Sabah, home to 400,000 people, Sandakan is basically a less attractive version of Kota Kinabalu. Similarly laid out on a narrow stretch of land between…
Sepilok
A wonderful spot for nature lovers, particularly those interesting in monkeys, orangutans and bears, Sepilok is home to a number of sanctuaries protecting these animals from the seemingly endless deforestation…
Kinabatangan River
The second longest river in Malaysia, the Kinabatangan River is a great place to see monkeys in the wild. Bilit Adventure Lodge is one of half dozen along the river,…
Sabah Tea Resort
The perfect spot to relax after summiting Mt Kinabalu, Sabah Tea Resort is a tranquil place near Ranau, in the foothills of the mountain. I stayed in one of two…
Mt Kinabalu
Mt Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Borneo, and the highest in South East Asia if you discount the Himalayan part of Myanmar and Papua New Guinea. It’s also one…
Around Mt Kinabalu
I spent a few days in the almost literal shadow of Mt Kinabalu, the highest peak in Borneo. A highlight was staying at a home stay in Tanak Nabula, a…
Kota Kinabalu
The capital of Malaysian Borneo, and gateway to the Sabah region, Kota Kinabalu is a relatively tidy South-East Asian city of half a million people which has enough to see…
New Zealand tramps (multi-day walks) ranked
In the past five and a half years since starting with the Routeburn Track, I’ve done 24 multi-day walks (known as tramps in New Zealand), including all of the Great…
Tableland Circuit
A great weekend walk, the Tableland Circuit offers some of the best views in Kahurangi National Park (also home to the better known Heaphy Track) and some eclectic accommodation options.…
Barcelona
One of the most varied cities in Europe, Barcelona is blessed with beautiful buildings both old and new, huge amounts of culture, and a lengthy beach downtown. Unfortunately word got…