Bird Island Lodge

... TRAIN OF BORNEO, KUDAT RUNGUS LONGHOUSE VISIT, -RIVER RAFTING -MULU OR MIRI SARAWAK PACKAGES -TURTLE WATCHING TURTLE ISLAND SELINGAN SANDAKAN -WILDLIFE VIEWING @ KINABATANGAN RIVER -GOMANTONG CAVE -ORANG UTAN WATCH AT SEPILOK -DANUM VALLEY (BRL) - ...

... in the short green grass on the headland, and soaring around the cliffs. Out at sea, there is a remarkable sea stack off Mutton Bird Island.    There is a fair climb back to the track, then a steep descent to the rock creek bed at Rocky Run. ...

... rode back to town for lunch at one of the cafes, had a look at the museum and then rode to the start of the walk to Mutton Bird island. It was a bit windy on that side of the island so we didn’t go all the way out there, but close enough for a good ...

... to Scotland. The weather is surprisingly good too, bright and sunny, not the cold rainy weather we had expected on the South island. We arrive in Kaikoura around 6pm and immediately spot some signs to a Seal Colony - it's still light so we follow the ...

... to say about it, except the story behind the art is cute, and the paintings are delightful (Google it). Devonport is a small island just outside of Auckland. A cheap ferry ride to the island gave us great views of the Auckland skyline and only took 15 ...

...  stars which are amazing out here (even if orion is upside down)! I'm now in Rotorua - thermal capital of the north island and possibly the whole country! It stinks of bad eggs (sulphur) and has some really cool thermal hotspots to explore. ...

... Papa National Museum which looks so awesome from the outside! Next time probably! With a painful and thankful goodbye to North Island, we excitedly looked forward to arriving at South Island. We had a pleasant flight south, probably the best landing ...

... w jet lag (which he was fine, whereas I was out of commission for 2 days!) Neway, we headed off North to the Great Barrier Island, which is a 5 hr ferry ride so we opted instead for the comedic 1/2 hr flight.  We went to Auckland airport to board our ...

... facilities on board, but the crossing was smooth and the views down the Queen Charlotte Sound and the northern coast of S Island were breathtaking. During the crossing Steph watched a Hugh Grant film - again! Arrived Wellington in cloudy conditions, so ...

... landed with the biggest smile on my face. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and the next time I do it Em will definitely be in the plane with me. After the jump we headed to Taupo, to the Rainbow Lodge to relax after my unbelievable ...

... needed including, very helpful owners Brian and Penny. They set me up with advice, maps and guidance on Christchurch and the South Island - like which side to explore first - weather being the deciding factor! Jason had also been so kind as to leave me ...

... off at one of the many hydroelectric power stations that dot the lakes and rivers in this area, providing power to the North Island. I had chosen a double room this time in Base.  I thought about changing hostel, but I knew the bar was just ...

... another stop at the north of the island where they unloaded two people--I think they were staying overnight at the lodge, because even though the island had Kiwis, you couldn't see them during the day, them being nocturnal animals.  Apparently, you ...

... because Kelly at meat for the first time in two years!!  The next morning we took the TransAlpine train across the South Island.  This trip is considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world!! You go through about 15 tunnels and see ...

... , loaning free towels, linen, hairdryers and alarm clocks on request) I took a ferry over the Cooks Straight to the south island and a connecting train to land me in Christchurch one day before my old friend and landlord, Gez, landed to visit me.  He ...

... the world. Which is why they turned into a world heritage site. Then came the hotel (The Kingfisher), which made the island accessible with their buses and helicopters.  We made it onto Fraser island probably at the southernmost tip. We headed ...

... .  We hopped out, pulled in the kayaks and strapped them up onto the trailer before being brought back up to our lodge.  A lovely afternoon of river kayaking was had, it was relaxing and also exciting when reaching the rapids!   That ...

... at 11.15am rather than our usual 8.00am Magic start. Got to Kaikoura around 2.30pm and checked into our hostel called Dolphin Lodge. Very relaxed atmosphere nice garden for the tent, hot-tub and decked area. Hot sunshine.... at last! Relaxed in the hot ...

... the morning for a 2-day tour.  Get chatting to a nice Austrian couple, and the rest of the group seems really nice. Fraser Island is a monster of a sand dune; almost the entire island is made of nothing but sand. It's a pretty and unique place, and ...

... dusk to see the lava glow strengthen as light fell - spooky stuff. We had a wonderful meal at the Kilhauea Lodge - festive decorations, voted on the staff bird box competition entries (!) and excellent food. Up in the NW of the island we had a pretty lazy ...