Day one️ Travel vibes ✈️ Thursday 27th Feb 2025
The flight from Brisbane to Auckland was a breeze 🌬️ – super quick! Took the city bus 🚍 into the CBD and had a lovely chat with the driver 😄. Had a couple of hours to explore Auckland, so I checked out the iconic SkyCity 🌆✨.
Then, it was back on a big bus at 7pm 🕖! There were lots of stops for pickups 🚏, a massive accident 🛑, and some roadworks 🚧 that slowed us down, but we made it! Finally, arrived in Taupō 🏞️ at midnight ⏰, greeted by the amazing Lou 👋 and straight into bed! 🛏️
Let the adventure begin! 🌟
Day Two! 🌟 Friday 28th Feb
A super relaxed day around beautiful Taupo! Started with a coffee ☕️ and a scenic walk, then headed over to the Women in Tri Breakfast. 💪🏼✨ The room was buzzing with incredible women sharing their inspiring journeys, motivating a whole crowd of female athletes! 🏃♀️💥 Taupo Ironman stats show this year’s event has the highest percentage of female starters in NZ history! 🙌🏼 Over 40% of the athletes in the half are women! 🔥
Spent some time wandering the athletes village, and then Tanya racked her bike and bags 🚲🎒. The afternoon was all about resting and hanging out in the hotel.
Wrapped up with an early dinner at Vine Eatery & Bar 🍽️ the mussels were absolutely amazing! 🦪😋 Early night ahead of race day tomorrow… the excitement is real! 🏅🎉
Day Three Saturday 1st March 2025 🏅Ironman Day
What an epic day! We witnessed a couple thousand athletes tackling the Half 70.3 and Full Ironman. 💪🌊 Tanya smashed the 3.8km swim and powered through her 180km bike ride, all while taking in the stunning countryside views 🚴♀️🌳. She then conquered the 42.2km marathon around Lake Taupō! 🏃♀️🌊
Louis and I had an awesome day cheering her on (and even surprised her on the bike course 😎). In between, we explored some of Taupō’s unique power plants ⚡. First, we checked out the hydrostation and caught a dam release, which also doubles as a white-water rafting spot! 🌊🚣 Then, we visited the geothermal plant with its crazy 15km long pipes and wells 2km deep—such a fascinating sight! 🌋🔥
We treated ourselves to a coffee at Lava Glass ☕ and wandered through the Glass Gardens, marveling at the huge, gorgeous glass sculptures—so cool! 💎
Back to the triathlon, we cheered on the runners from the comfort of the pub with a cider in hand 🍻. We stayed until late into the night, cheering on the exhausted runners on the track, until it was Tanya’s turn to cross the finish line. 🏁 At about 11.30pm after 15 hours and 31 minutes, she still had the energy for a winner’s jump! 🎉🏅
With her medal and towel in hand, sore feet, and legs, we braved the chilly midnight air and headed home to rest. What a day to remember and just in awe of the athletes, volunteers and crowd support! 😴
Day Four 💧 Sunday 2nd March: Recovery Day! 🌿
We started the day nice and slow with a relaxing morning. Tanya and Lou ventured out for a fun group photo with the Cupcake Cartel 🧁📸. After I caught up with them, we all headed to the amazing Huka Falls 🌊—WOW, the amount of water flowing through there is mind-blowing! We even saw two kayaks bravely going down and a jet boat doing circles! 🚤
Next stop was the Huka Honey Hive 🐝🍯 so many products using honey. After a quick drive by the Prawn Farm we got back on the right road to head to Wairakei Terraces to soak in the thermal hot springs 🏞️ pure bliss! The warm waters were perfect for easing sore muscles. Afterward, we treated ourselves to some dirty burgers 🍔 for lunch, enjoying the views from the deck overlooking the stunning lake ⛵️.
We picked up the hire car 🚗 and decided to jump in the lake for a refreshing swim 🏊♀️! Lou picked Italian for dinner 🍝 so delicious! We took a sunset walk to let dinner settle, then ended the day with a sweet treat at Luna’s Gelateria 🍦.
A perfect, chill recovery day before tomorrow’s big driving adventure ahead! 🚗💨
Day 5 2nd March 2025 🚗 On the Road 🌟
Coffee? ☕️✔️ Bags packed? 👜✔️ Cars loaded? 🚙✔️ Bye Taupo, it’s been a blast! 👋
We hit the road and made our way to Rotorua, leaving one car behind, and then we set our sights on Gisborne! 🏞️ What looked like a short drive on the map turned into a longer adventure thanks to those winding roads and roadworks! 😅 Detour through Whakatāne and a much needed stop in Ōpōtiki for an tasty pie and coffee 🥧☕️.
With some breathtaking views along the way, we finally arrived in Gisborne! 🌊 We took a quick spin around town, checking out the logging industry, the beautiful beach, and the Captain Cook Landing Site. 🛶 Next up? Fish and chips at the local shops 🍟, watching the kids get out of school before heading to Makorori for the highlight of the day: the Dive Tatapouri Stingray Experience!🥞🦈🌊
With low tide, we wandered right out on the flat to the drop-off while serenaded by Gus the Gull’s squawks 🕊 It wasn’t long before the eagle rays and short-tailed rays swam around us, giving us an unforgettable encounter✨
A perfect day on the coast 🌅, but it was time to head back to Rotorua 🚗. The drive back was definitely quicker without all those roadworks and detours, and we were treated to some fairy-tale-like scenery and sunset along the way. ✨ Well worth the journey for an experience we’ll never forget! 😍
Day 6 Tuesday 4th March 2025 🌋 Rotorua Adventure!
Started the day on a mission to find Lou a breakfast pie 🥧 and found a bakery with an view of the lake! 🌅 With breakfast and coffee in hand ☕️, we took a stroll around the mud pools at Kuirau Park 🌿.
Next, we jumped in the car and headed to Hells Gate 🔥, where we joined a tour and spent hours exploring the geothermal pools and lush bush 🌳. The sulfur steam was strong, but we powered through and tried hard not to breathe through our noses 😷💨. It’s mind-blowing how the hot water and sulfur can literally melt rock! 🤯 and the moss that turns yellow growing on the trees. Insane how the plants and animals just adapt to living in harsh conditions.
We even tried our hands at carving – not easy, but I managed to carve out a kiwi 🥝🦤! After that, we relaxed in the famous mud baths 💆♀️, scrubbed our skin with the mud 🛁, and enjoyed the soothing sulfur hot springs 🌡️.
After a much-needed shower 🚿, we headed over to Eat Street for a delicious lunch before Lou got a cheeky NZ inspired tattoo 🖋️🐑!
For dinner, we indulged at ANI’s Gin Bar & Tapas 🍽️, a local Māori family restaurant serving Aotearoa-inspired kai (food) and inu (drinks) 🥂. So good highly recommend!
As the night settled in 🌙, we ended the day at the Redwoods Treewalk 🌲✨, walking high above the forest on suspended bridges 🌉. The forest was absolutely magical, and the lights and art hanging in the trees made it feel like we were walking through a fairy village ✨🧚🏼♂️. Magical!
Day 7 Wednesday 5th March ⛱️ to the beach.
We kicked off the day with some delicious coffee ☕ and a hearty breakfast 🍳 before I headed off leaving the girls in Rotoroa to go to the Kiwi Hatchery 🦜. While the girls had some fun. I made my way down to Tauranga and spent the day in the library 📚 trying to get a uni assignment done (ugh, the struggle! 😅).
Later, we met up for a late lunch 🍽️ and tried something super unique — Kiwi Style Bento Hot Plate 🍱🔥! It was unusual but very tasty 😋!
Then, we made our way to the Mount 🏖️ for our beachside retreat 🌊. We slipped into our bathers 🩱 and braved a swim 🏊♀️ – okay, only two of us were brave enough! 😜 The water was a bit chilly 🥶, but once in, it was fine… until the breeze hit us while getting out! ❄️
Wandered up the beach checking out the creatures living there 🐚🦤. We indulged in strawberries & chocolate 🍓🍫, and strawberry ice creams 🍦 after our swim – total bliss! 😍
After showers and a quick change 🛁, we wandered past the cute little shops 🛍️ on our way to dinner at Saltwater 🌊 recommended by the lovely ladies at the info center! 💯 And wow, the food was DIVINE! 😍 I had coconut curry mussels 🦪 that were just out of this world! 🤤
We finished off the night with a walk home, catching the breathtaking sunset 🌅 from the beach. Pure magic! ✨
Day 8 Thursday 6th March 🚗🌞 Big Drive
Started the day early to catch the beautiful sunrise on the beach! 🌅 My toes were freezing in the cold sand, but it was totally worth it to see the sun rise over the bay. Packed up and treated ourself to a delicious breakfast of buckwheat banana pancakes 🥞🍌.
Time for goodbyes… but the girls had their flights canceled (twice!) due to Cyclone Alfred 🌪️, but they decided to still had back to Auckland, but I might catch up with them soon if they can’t get back any time soon! 😅 I then hit the road, heading north to Tutukaka. The 5-hour drive was a bit of a struggle with roadworks and traffic 🚧, but a quick lunch stop at Sheepworld 🐑 got me refreshed. Finally arrived safe and sound!
Stopped by the dive shop to say hi and do some paperwork 📝, then made my way up the hill to my cozy shack with an amazing view 🏡.
Decided to take a walk towards the lighthouse and WOW, the view was breathtaking! 🌊🌿 So peaceful and quiet—just the sound of birds and bugs chirping 🦜🐞. Truly soul-soothing up here!
Grabbed some cheese and crackers 🧀🍇, and popped open a bottle of wine 🍷 to enjoy on my little deck while watching the sunset 🌅. Not a bad spot to have to attend a uni lecture later that night. The stars coming out as the sun set was just magical ✨🌙.
With my dive bag packed 🏖️, it was time for bed. Ready for a dive adventure tomorrow! 🌟
Day 9 Friday 7th March Dive Day! 🌊🐠
Coffee in hand ☕, checked in, and got my gear at Dive Tutukaka! With everyone on board, we cruised out onboard Diversity, into the open waters. The weather? Absolutely PERFECT! 🌞 Not a cloud in the sky, light winds, and rolling swells – couldn’t have asked for a better day! 🌊
We spotted Manta Rays 🪽🦈 and massive schools of fish 🐟 – such an epic sight! Watching them boil up and the shearwater birds go wild was fun to watch! 😲
The Poor Knights Islands slowly appeared clearer out on the horizon, sitting about 20km offshore. The colors were stunning – the deep blue water and sky, earthy cliffs, and lush green vegetation 🌿. We anchored at Oculina Point for our first dive. 🌊
I usually don’t wear a 7mm suit, but with the chilly (for me 😅) 21°C water 🥶, it was necessary! The dive was incredible – exploring cool caves, kelp swaying with the current 🌊, and a wild mix of temperate and tropical fish 🐠. Snapper and Kingfish were super curious, and we spotted Scorpionfish, Moray Eels, and Nudibranchs 🦑. The underwater ecosystem here is truly fascinating! 🐚
After a surface break with the sun shining down ☀️, we pulled up anchor and cruised in to a massive cave – so BIG! 😍 Then, we headed to Cleanerfish Bay for dive #2!
Back in the water, I could’ve stared at the kelp for hours 🌿 – it was mesmerizing! We explored a smaller cave, saw rays 🦈, baby squid 🦑, and even a cool Goatfish chilling with some urchins 🍥. The array of colorful fish in this temperate site was incredible!
After diving, we cruised back home around the Eastern side of the islands – the rock formations and archways were unbelievable 🌄. Nature’s power at its best, millions of years shaping the volcanic cliffs into these stunning sights!
The day ended with a drink at Schnappa Rocks 🍸, chatting with some of the Kiwi folks onboard, and enjoying some amazing local fish and chips 🍤🍟. I wrapped it up with a bottle of NZ wine 🍷 and a peaceful walk on the headlands, sitting in the lush green grass, not a single other soul around, soaking in the sunset. 🌅 It was the perfect end to an unforgettable day.
What an experience! 🙌
🌊 Day 10 Saturday 8th March 🌊
What a day! Bonus dive (lucky enough to sneak on) to the legendary Poor Knights, and the weather was absolutely perfect again! ☀️ Skipper tried to get to the Pinnacles, but the current wasn’t on our side for diving, so we made our way to Dutch Cove instead. 🏝️
We suited up, jumped in, and wow – the dive site was AMAZING! 😍 Huge schools of fish swirling around, so much color and epic visibility, while giant Kingfish tried to snag their breakfast. 🐟💨 And there were Scorpionfish just chilling on the rocks. Towards the end, we explored Boom Boom Cave, which totally lived up to its name with the eerie sound of waves crashing through. 😱💥
Safety stop under the boat massive school of Trevally swimming in full circle around us 🔄🌀 – a surreal sight!
Back on board, the sun was shining, and we enjoyed coffee and lunch 🌞🍽️. The crew worked their magic getting the anchor back after a line snap (repair attempts weren’t holding up for them haha). 😅 Then we made a quick stop at Riko Cave – a HUGE sea cave that made the boat look tiny inside! ⛵🌊
For the second dive, we headed back to Oculina Point. Mat led us a different route from yesterday, and we saw some crazy cool things! 🐟🐠 A feeding frenzy as Sandager’s wrasse went wild on the eggs of two-spot demoiselles! 🥚⚡ Right at the point, schools of fish were swarming, and then… a curious seal appeared! 🦭 It swam past us while we were chilling at about 8m – such an epic moment seeing things don’t normally see in the tropics!
Rookie error with the dive camera fogging up 📷😶🌫️ so no photos from me… but luckily the crew took some great shots with their go pro – so sharing those photos in my post which means I’m in some of them 📸🧜🏼♀️ This trip has been so lucky with the weather, manta rays, seals, and incredible sea life. Grateful got to do a second day and definitely on the list to come back! 🌊🐟🐡
We wrapped up the day with a few drinks with the crew and endless plates of chips at Schnappa Rocks – the perfect end to an epic day! 🍻🍟
Day 11 Sunday, 9th March 🌞✈️
Woke up, grabbed a coffee ☕, and soaked in the last beautiful morning in the stunning seaside town of Tutukaka 🌊. Then, hit the road 🚗 back to Auckland.
Headed straight to the airport, but of course, the flight got delayed (but not canceled phew! 😅). Took off with some anticipation of a rough landing, but the pilots nailed it ✨! They went low and slow, giving us the smoothest touch down in the rainy, windy Brisbane 🌧️🌪️ post-cyclone conditions.
What an epic 10 days in NZ 🥝🌿🌊
Live and Lets Dive! 