Dunedin is located in the southern part of the South Island of New Zealand. Its name comes from the Gaelic term for Edinburgh as it was founded by Scottish immigrants. Their history and legacy can still be seen throughout the city from street names and Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Dunedin is also known for its abundance of wildlife, including seals, penguins and albatross.
Tag: hiking
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is located in the Southern Alps and features many majestic mountains. The most notable of which is Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki, which translates to “Cloud Piercer” in Maori. Standing at 3,724 metres, it is the tallest peak in New Zealand. The park also contains numerous glaciers which have dramatically sculpted and shaped the landscape, leaving behind valleys, turquoise rivers and glacier lagoons.
Arthur’s Pass National Park
Arthur’s Pass National Park is nestled deep in the Southern Alps. It was established in 1929 and was the first national park in the South Island and the third altogether in New Zealand. Arthur’s Pass gained prominence when gold was discovered on the West Coast in 1864 and a road through the mountains was built shortly after. While visitors today still deal with unpredictable weather, the road is paved now, and there are plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.
Akaroa
Akaroa is a charming small town located on the Banks Peninsula on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island that was formed by two ancient shield volcanoes. It was once a French settlement in the 1840s but their influence can still be seen around town today. Akaroa contains historic houses, small shops and restaurants, a lighthouse and a walkable waterfront.
Northland Region
The Northland is the northernmost region of New Zealand. It’s referred to as the Winterless North on account of its mild subtropical climate year-round. The region is famous for its winding roads, golden sandy beaches, beautiful coastal views and ancient kauri forests.
Whangarei
Whangarei is considered the gateway to the Northland region in the North Island of New Zealand. It’s a large city, the northernmost city in New Zealand actually, and has a subtropical climate. It contains plenty of opportunities to enjoy the coastal views and volcanic mountains.
Thousand Islands National Park in the Winter
The Thousand Islands are a group of 1,864 islands located in the St. Lawrence River between southeastern Ontario in Canada and northern New York in the United States. Thousand Islands National Park is located on the Canadian side and is spread across 21 of these islands and a few different areas on the mainland. While the islands are inaccessible in the winter, there are a few hiking trails on the mainland section of the park that remain open year-round.
Point Pelee in February
Point Pelee may be one of the smallest national parks in Canada, but it’s also the most ecologically diverse. It’s located on a peninsula on Lake Erie and is the southernmost point of the mainland in Canada. It contains several habitats including beach, marsh, dry and wet forest and cedar savannah. It’s open year-round and is a popular spot for swimming, birdwatching and hiking.
MacGregor Point Provincial Park in the Winter
MacGregor Point Provincial Park is located along the shore of Lake Huron. It’s super popular in the summer because of its sandy beach. But the park remains open in the winter and offers a variety of activities to enjoy the snow, including skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Winter Camping in a Cabin in Arrowhead Provincial Park
Arrowhead Provincial Park is located in Muskoka. While this area is commonly known as cottage country, it also boasts of being one the snowiest regions in Ontario. In the winter Arrowhead offers skating, cross-country, skiing and other winter activities to enjoy the snow. It also offers winter camping, including in several cabins for those that want to stay overnight in the park.