Aotearoa Adventures: The New Zealand Travel Podcast

Two-time canoe slalom Olympian, Mike Dawson, spent a lot of time outdoors as a child and has a deep love for whitewater. While kayaking expeditions are within his comfort zone, Mike takes on a new challenge, journeying to the South Pole on a fifty day ski expedition inspired by Messner’s 1989 epic Antarctic crossing. We discuss the logistics of a journey in such harsh conditions, operating camera gear, pulling a "too heavy" sled, and eventually reaching the South Pole base. Mike reflects on how this experience forced him to slow down and the challenges he experienced returning to normal life.

Last chance: KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand on a mission to build innovative, versatile and reliable outdoor gear for the every-day adventurer. This May, KEA Outdoors is offering you a unique opportunity to invest in the brand through an Equity Crowdfunding Campaign on Pledgeme. Invest from $1,000 and get a 20% Off Lifetime Discount Access: bit.ly/44m62kl

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Mike on Instagram: instagram.com/mrmikedawson/

Watch the documentary at the NZ Mountain Film Festival 2024

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Barbie Sharma is multi-passionate and loves spending her weekends exploring local gems. Based in Auckland, we talk about some of the natural attractions that are often overlooked in surrounding regions. One of Barbie's most memorable trips was a birthday getaway to Waikawau Tunnel Beach, where they had the beach to themselves and saw, "the best sunset I've seen on the North Island." Barbie shares practical tips for others that work a 9-5, advice for planning where to go next and spills the secrets on some of her favourite locations, including the Forgotten Highway. During lockdown, Barbie started to share content from her past trips and soon discovered this motivated and inspired other people's travels. Now she continues to share hidden gems, upcoming events and more on Instagram to help kiwis and international visitors plan their next trip!

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand on a mission to build innovative, versatile and reliable outdoor gear for the every-day adventurer. This May, KEA Outdoors is offering you a unique opportunity to invest in the brand through an Equity Crowdfunding Campaign on Pledgeme. Invest from $1,000 and get a 20% Off Lifetime Discount Access: bit.ly/44m62kl

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Barbie on Instagram: instagram.com/barbiesharmarj/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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Matt Butler says he was born with an innate desire to fish, although his family wasn't outdoorsy. He started fishing in local Waikato rivers at age twelve and it took Matt three years to catch his first fish. After moving to Wanaka to pursue his passion for fly-fishing, he decided to spend his 20s doing what he loved. Matt would spend a few months each year as a fly fishing guide, then travel around the world and fish for the rest of the year. In 2020, that season of life came to an abrupt halt and Matt pivoted into starting an outdoor brand, KEA Outdoors, launching off a kickstarter campaign. He shares about his business journey and the unique investment opportunity currently open to the public.

KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand on a mission to build innovative, versatile and reliable outdoor gear for the every-day adventurer. This May, KEA Outdoors is offering you a unique opportunity to invest in the brand through an Equity Crowdfunding Campaign on Pledgeme. Invest from $1,000 and get a 20% Off Lifetime Discount Access: bit.ly/44m62kl

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Matt on Instagram: instagram.com/traveltruly/

Follow KEA Outdoors on Instagram: instagram.com/keaoutdoors/

keaoutdoors.com

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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Katy Binchy is in New Zealand on a working holiday visa and decided this is the year to try new things and enjoy being in nature. Together with a friend, they bought second hand bikes off TradeMe and went on their first bikepacking trip from Christchurch to Nelson. While in New Zealand, Katy is house-sitting in different cities so when they were moving from Christchurch to Queenstown, Katy thought to herself, "why don't I just cycle?" She set off on her first solo adventure, over ten days and it proved to have challenges, learnings and of course some beautiful views. Katy shares advice for other people that are planning bikepacking trips or want to get started.

For quick and easy meals for all your outdoor adventures, use the code ABIGAIL for free shipping on your next Back Country Cuisine order: bit.ly/44uFDAB

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Katy on Instagram: instagram.com/kt.travelgram

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Shanti Mathias is an Auckland-based journalist who is passionate about getting around without a car. Shanti also loves tramping and trail running, and uses public transport or a bicycle to get to her destination. She shares about a recent adventure from Auckland to Miranda, using a train, bike and ferry for the weekend trip. For Shanti, travel without a car leads to creativity and fun, poring over maps, forcing you to slow down and practice gratitude. While acknowledging the limitations and frustrations of low carbon travel, Shanti talks about why it's so important to reduce our carbon emissions and debunks some of the myths around our car-centric society. Having lived in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, she shares ideas for people wanting local trips and getaways on public transport and a bike. Next, Shanti wants to explore Northland, and one day cycle across the Himalayas from Pakistan to Nepal.

For quick and easy meals for all your outdoor adventures, use the code ABIGAIL for free shipping on your next Back Country Cuisine order: bit.ly/44uFDAB

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Shanti on Instagram: instagram.com/shantiwritesthings/

Mostly Good Ideas: Low Carbon Adventure: Steaming roads and beaming loads

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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Mother of three, Deanna Gerlach says the idea to walk Te Araroa was conceived during covid lockdowns, from their suburban home in Sydney. The family sold everything in Australia, spent two weeks in hotel quarantine in New Zealand and then started walking the length of the country from Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) to Motupo-hue (Bluff). Day 1 on the trail was the family's first overnight tramp, but within three weeks they were trail-fit. Deanna reflects on the experience saying, "we loved it," but there were tough days for everyone. Flooded rivers in Canterbury meant that they had to skip large sections between Arthur's Pass and Takapō. The Gerlach family revisited these missed sections with now-teenagers and Deanna says it was quite a different experience, though once again it had it's highlights and it's struggles. She shares advice for others that want to start tramping and says, "don't run in and do what we did!" Deanna says to consider your motivations, what you want to get out of it and the importance of giving kids a sense of purpose and playing to their strengths.

For quick and easy meals for all your outdoor adventures, use the code ABIGAIL for free shipping on your next Back Country Cuisine order: bit.ly/44uFDAB

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Deanna on Instagram: instagram.com/dgerl/

Follow Noodles for Brekky on Instagram: instagram.com/noodlesforbrekky/

www.noodlesforbreakfast.com

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

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Hami Tangiora lives on the West Coast and a recent annual family tradition is to catch a helicopter to remote back country huts to spend the night. While the familly do lots of hiking together with the young kids, Hami decided that they would treat themself to something special. The first trip was to Chancellor Hut above Fox Glacier for an overnight stay, where their only company was two dozen kea. The following year the family took Dominos pizza up to the remote Almer Hut above Franz Josef Glacier. Although the terrain around the hut can be a hazard for young children, the highlight was the incredible views from New Zealand's tallest peaks out to the Tasman Sea and family memories to last a lifetime.

For quick and easy meals for all your outdoor adventures, use the code ABIGAIL for free shipping on your next Back Country Cuisine order: bit.ly/44uFDAB

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Hami on Instagram: instagram.com/hami.tangiora.nz/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Helena Sodergren is a multi-passionate adventurer and a scientist. From horse-riding to skiing to surfing to mountain biking, it really seems like she does it all, alongside holding a PhD in physics. Helena grew up on a farm in remote Sweden, and say this is where her sense of adventure began. She shares about a recent mission with a group of seven, spending nine days on Tasman Glacier and sitting through a big storm, an incredible experience. Helena also talks about another adventure to Bell Pass, where everything went wrong. Her advice for others who are multi-passionate is that, "you have to do what you love," and it's never too late to start something new.

For quick and easy meals for all your outdoor adventures, use the code ABIGAIL for free shipping on your next Back Country Cuisine order: bit.ly/44uFDAB

>>> Come to Nepal with us on a group trip in October 2024: ⁠bit.ly/49AvnIz⁠ <<<

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Helena on Instagram: instagram.com/helena.sodergren/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

Katie Johnstone's love for the outdoors started young and grew with her annual father-daughter tramping trips. After going on her first solo hike, she decided to jump in deeper and tackle Te Araroa. Katie soon learnt the importance of carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB) when one of her fellow trampers got injured and Katie had to pull their PLB for them. Later on the trail, Katie got into a sticky situation during a river crossing attempt and had to pull the PLB for her own safety. She shares some of the lessons she's learnt, other occasions where she has needed to be rescued and why she believes everyone should carry a PLB on any outdoor adventure. This is a great episode for beginners or seasoned trampers that need a reminder that accidents and unforeseen circumstances can happen to anyone.