Category Archives: Outdoor activities

3 Free things to do in Devonport Auckland

Devonport on a Sunday

1. Visit Mt Victoria 

Overlooking the charming area and suburbs of Devonport it Mt Victoria. Set up as a battalion base in the wars it now serves as one of the best, unadulterated views of Auckland.

The Signalman’s House is on the way up and truly breath taking. For it’s colonial style, it’s obvious connection to yesterday and it’s current purpose of offering writers a retreat. Being a writer I am totally in-love with the idea of a haven. A place to write whilst being frivolous and overlooking the harbour. 

You can’t drive all the way to the summit any more but you can walk, hike or stroll. Ie foot is the only way. Up the top you will be greeted by sweeping views to the east, north and west. To the south you have iconic views of Auckland although you need to veer past a few trees.

You can have a picnic on the old forts, while watching the clouds jump and jive overhead. 

Or you can share a chit chat with an old mate reminencising over times of old … waxing lyrically about childhood while your feet dangle over the edge of the old fortress. 

Exploring is lot of fun which is what makes this the perfect afternoon trip for a family or lovers or solo travellers.

2. Visit the Devonport library

Well blow me down, I have visited many libraries around the world but this library is amazing. 

Aside from being an architectural designer master piece it offers peace. 

Peace and an open air outlook over one of the most amazing bays in the world. 

It’s inspiring and has all the literature greats at your finger tips… all for free… waiting to be indulged.

I whittle away a few lustful moments reading the local rag and absorbing the view. 

Whilst not a “tourist” attraction I sincerely hope you visit this space. Especially if you have never been to a library before!

3. Walk along the foreshore

This is one of the oldest, loveliest foreshore walks in New Zealand. 

Beautiful trees, spaces, play grounds, picnic areas and Elizabeth House, make this a beautiful lazy afternoon walk. 

Grab a photo with your family – a real keep-stakes as the back ground of the azure waters of the harbour and the sky line of Auckland subside away. Truly beautiful. 

4. Lunch at the Esplanade Hotel

The Esplanade Hotel is such an iconic landmark. Built in 1857 the interior is everything you would expect from a timeless building.

We rock up on a Sunday and have the bowl of mussels done in white wine garlic and cream. Yes you guessed it! Something I will travel back for again and again and again. Especially at the end of the pier if the ferry from Auckland. It the perfect romantic escape and boys… it has a fire side! 

5.Visit an art gallery

Despite everyone assuming art is for the rich or eccentric art is an expression. There are many art galleries in davenport and all worth a Casual wander through. There are too many to name and in my personal (artist) opinion, sometimes it is better to waltz through art galleries than it is to visit one. See where your heart takes you. 

Stonyridge Vineyard Waiheke Island

Stonyridge Vineyard and restaurant

Perched about 20 minutes via car from the ferry at Waiheke is Stonyridge Vineyard. It is a magnificent looking vineyard and in summer boasts a vine wrapping all around the main building. It reminds me of a vineyard I once visited in Corsica.

I have been here before so going back was for the wine and ambiance.

What we discovered is that most vineyards on Waiheke charge (what I would call, a small fortune) to do a taste sampling. Some charge $10 for 3, others $15 for 3 premium. Guard your wallet because whilst they are guarding their cellar door so you don’t drink down their vats for free, you will be paying quite a lot more for the privilege of drinking a Waiheke grown wine.

On this day we are very fortunate to have Nathan as our bar tasting man. Entertaining and a whizz at wines we learn a lot about the local wines as well as New Zealand wines.

The wines here, like everywhere else on Waiheke, are expensive.  But you have to expect it… don’t be surprised. 

After sampling some wines we settle on a nice crisp Riesling and venture into the restaurant for lunch. In summer the outdoor area pumps. It’s referred to as the yoga deck which is kinda suitable as it has views spanning over the vineyard and to be honest I don’t know if they do yoga there or not, but it would be a perfect venue. 

The restaurant is fine. Vineyard style, with a good menu but rich prices. We chose to share two entrees and a main. 

Our entrees prawns and fish cerviche are good and our main is rib eye fillet, with mashed and jus.

We love our food so don’t want to put it down but it feel short somehow. As I type I feel bad writing. It was OK – to great but just not spectacular. 

Obviously it is better than cafe food and a pub meal but when you pay $44 for steak I think one should expect 6 star.

I would give the experience this time 3.5/5. The food 4/10, the wine tasting with Nathan 5/5 but the service unfortunately only 3/5. 

Nepal after the Earthquakes

Nepal after the earthquake 2016

It's our world, our village. Let's all chip in if we can.I have a gofundme page set up www.gofund.me/s97vjqxn or you can donate to www.journey-nepal.org.Would love it if you could share xx

Posted by Sam Beau Patrick The Health Queen on Saturday, 23 January 2016

This is a face book live while driving through Nepal after the earthquakes.

Bluesfest Byron Bay

The Byron Bay Blues Festival

AKA Bluesfest

It’s my “many-ieth” time to the Blues Festival experiencing the eclectic line up of blues and rhythm artists from around the world.

In the past I have seen James Brown, Elle King, The National and many amazing artists.

This year is also special but I have time on my hands and it is a whole different ball game.

With a 5 day pass and VIP pass you can really relax and not race from tent to tent trying to squeeze in as many artists as possible.

I’ve decided to camp – which is great. You meet fellow festival goers and can make new friendships quickly. The thing I really like about camping is the ability to bubble out from the festival madness and have reprieve.

The thing I don’t like about camping at the festival is that the days can start early if a baby is crying and the nights can go long if people decide to start a mini party. Both of which happened on the same night on my stay.

The toilet facilities are basic at Blues and it really makes you value the luxuries of a home shower.

The staff are really friendly at the festival although beaurocracy seems to have gone a bit mad with multiple people involved with the process to “manage” people to find a camp site. None of which is needed at other festivals.

Beer, wine and water ran out by early afternoon on Sunday which left a lot of people disgruntle this festival. I couldn’t understand why water had run out and how that could occur in 2018!

Skye Edwards fronting Morcheeba

Alas fortunately for Blues Fest this year, the artists got the festival over the line. Seal, Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crowe, Rag Man, and Bones, Morcheeba, Prince’s back up band, John Butler Trio and more… made for another sensational year.

One day is fine, 2 days better and VIP a must.

You can grab tickets here.

The Gabba and cricket

Affectionately known as the GABBA, the Brisbane Cricket ground,  home to the Brisbane Lions… is an iconic sporting field in Australia.

On this night, my son and I are venturing to watch a short, newly introduced, cricket game.

It’s called twenty twenty cricket (20 overs each team), or the BIG BASH LEAGUE. It is like speed cricket. Really good if you like seeing a result in sport. It’s especially good in a sport like cricket, which has BIG history as a sport but it typically played over 5 days. Even one-day games require a whole day.

The 20-20 big bash is a perfect family sport. Hard hitting, big knocking, smacking a hard red ball around a BIG part. The Gabba is perfect for the fun, action packed game.

Kids love it and as a parent it is pretty awesome too.

The Gabba (affectionately nick-named after Wooloongabbba – the suburb which is in located in) is a Queensland icon. It is very central to the city – a little too so. Fortunately free public transport moves people in, and out really quickly.

The food is average. I find a cafe/coffee house that had a salad which was pretty good value and reasonably priced. The “other food” is rubbish. Hot dogs, chips, pies RUBBISH! I do struggle to understand the blatant opportunity of sporting venues to drive home how important nutrition is to our youth… but now I sound like a wailing nutritionist who cares…

There is beer on hand, wine is much harder to find. Which suits me as it is a coffee and salad night for me with my son.

We decided to stay at Southbank, and I would love to recommend the hotel, but I can’t. There are plenty though, and for those of us who don’t live in Brisbane, coming in the after noon, going to the art gallery , walking along Southbank, then the Gabba, makes for a great day!

The game of 20-20 cricket is excellent.

Great entertainment with lots happening.

The pitch (where the sporting action happens) is non stop.

The crowd there for a good time which means an electric atmosphere.

The facilities, views, and access to toilets, exits etc exceptional.

I like the Gabba. It has a really good vibe!

 

The Bangalow Food Festival

Bangalow is a funky town twenty minutes inland from Byron Bay. It’s also reasonably close to the Gold Coast and a day trip is easy.

Bangalow has a many festivals, markets and events and is worth visiting.

Last minute we decide to head to the Bangalow Food Festival. With no expectations of the festival, we were stoked to be heading Byron way. 

The kids are a little older now and I am happy to give them a little bit of freedom and money to buy their own food.

My friend’s children are there aswell so they hang out together.,eating plates of dumplings, to pulled pork to home made ice cream.

There are a few scattered cooking segments, a chief cook-off and food tasting. But missed most of it.

It would have been good to have more entertainment, music or comedians… and the prices were quite expensive.

However the winter’s sun, the happy vibe, make for a good day out.

 

Binna Burra Gold Coast Hinterland

There’s something very Ned Kelly about Binna Burra and the Gold Coast Hinterland.

I am always surprised more people don’t visit as it is so close to the coast and yet, offers a totally different perspective of Australiana. Green bush, misty fog, a cooler climate – it is actually like leaving Queensland for the day and entering into a southern alpine region and stepping back in time. Well so I play out in my mind.

Today I just wanted to escape the four walls of my office and clear my head around some work planning.

 

The drive up requires concentration as it does weave and swerve but once up the top of Beechmont Mountain Range the views are inspiring and the traffic light.

A few of the tracks are closed at the moment – still from the floods and land slides we had at the beginning of the year. You can check on what is open when you get up there or on the QLD National Parks website here.

I like the Cave walk but it is closed today – so I have to settle for the border walk and just turn around after I am satisfied my brain is clear!

Pademelons bounce around the bush, whip birds send their amazing “whip” sound into the air and trees with hundreds of years wisdom groan in unison. I really love the Aussie bush.

Today a koala perches in a tree – a friendly reminder that wild life still dominates the Australian Bush.


The Binna Burra Lodge is a beautiful place to relax. Upstairs is a loft – the library lounge, and I have done much work up there over the years.

The cafe is OK. Nothing special and most of the menu contains gluten which is a shame.

I have been going to Binna Burra for years and it used to thrive where as no days it is much quieter. The midweek crowd is the tourist bushwalker and the grey rinse brigade.

And me! I still love it and will continue to go.

When you go for a walk in the rain you have to check yourself for leeches and when it is dry ticks. And of course like any Aussie bush carry a stick in case of snakes… and don’t touch spiders and watch out for boobie traps! The last one was a joke.

Surfing Batu Balong Beach Bali

I am eagerly waiting to return to Bali this weekend where I can surf, eat organic food and catch up with friends.

Bali has become a second home of sorts, with me traveling there 9-10 times in the past 3 years.

Bali had never been high on my travel bucket list but after doing a food documentary pilot for a TV show in Ubud, I fell in love.

The people are spiritually sound and grateful. Very caring and gentle despite the harrassment that sometimes occurs on  the more popular beaches and tourist stretches of Kuta and Seminyak.

I like to stay in Canggu. It is the beach area further around from Seminyak and was the old surfie part but like most of Bali has been a little over run by hipsters and families.

If you ask anyone where Old Man’s Pub is you will find Batu Balong.

The place is very laid back. Sports a little temple, which commands a big crowd on Sunday with worshipping from the local Balinese.

I like going surfing here. It is a reef so can get gnarlly on low tide. Actually the beach is quite steep so getting out of the surf can be precarious.

There are a couple of surf board hire places in the car park and both are friendly establishments. You can leave your valuables in a basket and the guys will look after them.  Boards cost $5 for 1-2 hours.. no one really runs a clock. You can organise a coach easily enough, on the spot  – usually $35 which includes board hire.

Regardless of whether you have surfed before or not, Batu Balong is a great place to catch some waves. If you have surfed a bit you might find it a bit crowded but for novices it is easy!

Waiheke Island New Zealand

Situated 40 mins by ferry from Auckland is the lovely island of Waiheke.

The population is about 9000 steady residents that swells to 45,000 in summer.

The scalloped wind-protected bays are delightful and on a sunny day shimmer in the light.

The ferries with Fullers leave pier 2 in Auckland Wharf every thirty minutes on the hour and  similarly the return ferries leave on the hour and every thirty mins. The full time table is here. 

The ferry serves wine so it’s a nice transition from the hustle and traffic of Auckland to the more peaceful, tranquil island living.

Finding an awesome place to stay for two nights, (plenty other options here),  my digs are called Studio 16 in the fun bay called Surfdale . 

From the studio, equipped with more than one needs for a two night escape, you can walk to the local Irish pub, Malones. Reknown for it’s Argintinies  and latinos (quite a few on the island now) you can find some fun.

From darts, to a pool table and on our first night there, the infamous drones of the Baby Boomas it’s a fun joint!

There’s a lot to do in Waiheke if you chose, or nothing to do. Your choice! 

I head for an afternoon of wine tasting – something the island is well known for: rose and reds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting at Wild on Waiheke, we start with some samplers – all around $4 per taste. The winery is also a craft beer distillery and I am told they are excellent beers. The food looks amazing and if you want you can shoot a riffle (laser) or part take in archery.

Next door are two excellent vineyards – Tu Motu – which has some of the best (and most expensive) reds I have had in awhile and Stoneyridge .

Stoneyridge is my ideal way to spend a Sunday – funky cool tunes, relaxing outdoor al fresco sitting, wonderful wines and lovely views over the vineyards. We are there in winter and the winter’s sun catches the green of the valley in the most superb way – it glistens.

The only downside to the vineyards on the Sunday is the fact they all close at 4pm!

We miss out on the newer vineyard, which reportedly has been $35million in the making.

Eating out is fun, and we find many options in the town of Oneroa. If you head down a little alley way, bay side, towards, Sandbar you can find a funky little wine bar. The night we are there an acoustic guitar play keeps us entertained while we sip on lovely wines.

The Sandbar is nice and open and great for a drink – apparently they can get a crowd in there as well.

Upstairs is Vino Vino, an Italian restaurant that has a lovely balcony also over looking the bay. The food is OK but the view makes up for it… so best you go during the day or on sunset!

We have two nights in town and the first night eat at the Red Crab, the local Thai place. The foods is good, wines a good price. Not the most amazing Thai food but not bad either.

 

Across the road is the more elaborate Oyster Inn. With wide balconies, a great wine list and lots of seafood on the menu, it is a more romantic spot. We have the chilli fish curry (very hot) and the John Dory. Really GOOD! 

Other activities on the island include kayaking, stand up paddling all back at Maitati Bay where the ferry arrives. You can do lots of short walks around the island and bays as well as a 3km art route. We didn’t get to see much of the island’s art this visit but have been told it is a really thriving scene.

Transport around the island is easy – you will need a taxi from the ferry to most places – budget at least $30 NZD to get 5km. There is a good public transport bus which is only $3.50 per person, or shuttle buses also run regularly.

If you are planning on going, staying at least 2 nights, 3 would be ideal.

Mt Warning Delights

Today was a magic day shared with close friends in a very spiritual part of Australia, Mt Warning.

Mount Warning
Mt Warning (Wollumbin)
in NSW

Mt Warning, also known as Mt Wollumbin is a step craggy mountain (actually the remnants of a volcano) that makes for a big day time climb.

The 4.5 km, one way walk, (9km return trip)  takes on average 5 hours, giving you a 20 minute break up the top. You can of course do it quicker or longer, depending on your fitness.

I would say this walk requires moderate fitness and I don’t think it is for the feint hearted. The steep incline meanders  through some lovely bush tracks, with the Tweed Valley dropping away below.

The height of the mountain in a bit over 1100 meters, and the last little bit is practically a rock climb straight up.  There are chains to hang onto but it is loads of fun pulling yourself up, especially if you legs have given way!

Views from Mt Warning
Views from Mt Warning

IMG_0003

The views from the top are spectacular, spanning from the Gold Coast hinterland to Byron Bay and Nimbin.

 

 

 

 

There is something very bonding about sharing the view with other people who have just survived the rock climb as well. Many kick back in the sun and enjoy a feed before heading back down.

For some silly reason I took a  bottle of wine to be drunk at the top but there was no way known I was going to drink wine, in case I fell off the mountain, so it was carried all the way down undrunk.

At the base of Mount Warning are two options for eating, my favourite being Mavis’ s Kitchen.  

Yummy beef cheeks
Beef Cheeks at Mavis’s Kitchen

It’s a well established restaurant with fantastic gardens and food. They grow a lot of their own produce in their beautiful garden. Today a couple catch a helicopter in, which adds to the surrealism and grandioseness of the place.

 

 

WAlk
Mt Warning Walk

 

The sunlight in the area gives everything a luminescent glow, citrus greens and crisp blues. A perfect day with the perfect balance of options.

Oh for the record, I had the beef cheeks, on polenta and the Tyrell’s chardonnay. Devine!