The Noongar people are the traditional Aboriginal custodians of the Stirling Ranges and surrounding region. “Bular Mial” is the Noongar name for Bluff Knoll, the highest peak in the range at 1095m. It means “many eyes” although Noongar speakers may use the term “Bala Mial” meaning “his eyes” when referring to the ancestral being you can … More The many colours of Bluff Knoll
My first stop was somewhere I had been before – The Stirling Ranges. First order of business was Toolbrunup Peak walk. At 1052m, it’s the second highest peak in the National Park, but arguably a tougher scramble to the top. This one is steep! When I was here last year, I battled up this peak … More Good to be back in the red dirt
My time in New Zealand is coming to an end. It wasn’t planned but one of my last hikes here was along the aptly named Cape Farewell which is the most northerly point on the South Island. It was originally discovered by Abel Tasman and later named by Captain Cook in 1770 as it was … More Cape Farewell
A number of people had recommended the Muller Hut track in Mt Cook. However at this time of year crampons and an ice axe are recommended so it became ruled out for me. However I ventured up the track anyway to see just how far I could get without them! The track starts on the flat … More Leaving one undone
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is home to a lot of mountains! There are 27 mountains over 3050m in New Zealand and 22 of those are here. The highest is Mt Cook at 3755m. In fact it’s the highest in Australasia. It’s name in Maori is Aoraki, meaning Cloud Piercer, seems far more apt than the … More Piercing the clouds
There is something humbling about the weather determining your plans. I have decided that I cannot fight it so instead will embrace it. After a few days with my feet up and my mouth full of cake in Queenstown it was time to get on the move or rather try again to go to Mt … More Many Shades of Grey
I mentioned in my last post about The Routeburn Track that it wasn’t a loop. So it presented a dilema on how I best get back to my car. As it crosses a mountain range to drive back by road would be 250km or I could retrace my steps and do the track in reverse. … More The Long Way Home
Am vertical, back on two feet and away from the cakes on the Routeburn track. It’s another of the group of New Zealand’s Great Walks and deservedly so. At 32km it’s one of the shorter trails in the series but makes up for it in variety. How long you spend on the track is up … More Stretching the legs
The weather has me cooped up indoors for a few days. Snow, rain, wind. Winter has arrived to the South Island and I was beginning to get techy. Although it was a good excuse to visit the coffee shops and restaurants of Queenstown and eat my way around town. Am torn between the passionfruit & lime … More Be yourself
Niamh on Leave 