Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary

One of our favourite walks is up to the Okaritio Trig. Both of us have worked for the kiwi team, Jo was the Programme Manager a few years ago. Here is a photo of our mate Duncan who is searching to find kiwi so he can put new transmitters on them. We like to help with this work.
Many bird species became extinct after the arrival of Polynesians, who brought the kiore (Pacific rat) and the kurī (dog) from Polynesia. Flightless and ground-nesting birds proved easy pickings for Polynesians, who simply walked up to moa and clubbed them. While humans are the most likely cause of the larger birds’ extinction, the kiore is the prime suspect in the disappearance of smaller birds and invertebrates.

By the 1900s Europeans had introduced other rat species, ferrets, weasels, stoats, cats, pigs and dogs, which further extinguished New Zealand’s birds and other animals. Click on this link Te Ara - excellent online encyclopedia of NZ

Jo Guiding for Glacier Valley Eco Tours

From time to time Jo works for this company taking guided parties up the glacier. I tried to blend in with this group so I could learn more myself about the flora and fauna as well as how the diverse climatic conditions and forces of nature have shaped our incredible landscape. Jo did a great job!

Glacier Valley Eco Tours Glacier Valley Eco Tours was established in 1990 to provide an alternative to actually climbing on the Glaciers. As a local family business we have a clear focus on customer satisfaction. They can tailor-make tours.

Treks - 'we love hiking!'

Whenever we can we're off! What makes it easy to get away is living in Westland National Park. Westland Tai Poutini National Park (established 1960) extends from the highest peaks of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, to the rugged and remote beaches of the wild West Coast. It is an area of magnificent primeval vistas - snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests, tussock grasslands, lakes, rivers, wetlands and beaches.

This world-class scenic landscape forms part of Te Wāhipounamu South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area and is a treasure trove of amazing geology, rare flora and fauna and wonderful history.

International Breakfasts

Breakfasts are a truly international affair with guests coming from far and awide. Most striking this year has been our families from St Thomas in the Caribbean and The Virgin Islands as well as Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.

What we like to do is relate to our guests what we know about our New Zealand history, geology and culture. In return we love what we learn from our guests - about their countries and cultures as we plan our new trips!

Julies Mum Returns to Ribbonwood

So much for returning to the 'base camp at Ribbonwood!" Julie's mum broke her ankle so she ended up returning to Christchurch just a couple of weeks after returning home. At first, filled with trepidation about going to an earthquake damaged city, she soon got back into the way of life and got use to biking past the ruins and rubble. Estelle (Julie's mum) flourished with her family back in the fold. Julie - "I returned to work, relieving in kindergartens and loved it - it's a privilege to be in a family environment (rather than an institution) with educators who strive to lift children's achievement."

Jo kept the home fires burning, enjoying a flurry of guests in November and December until Julie and Estelle arrived home. We got mum working in the garden straight away! One guest remarked in a follow up email 'we very much enjoyed meeting the both of you and Estelle - we appreciated her spunky personality:-) Nice one mum!

Back home again, 2011. See the seals on our Okarito walk!

Due to the global downturn and reduction in visitor numbers, we haven't received as many guests as we did the first few years when we set up. On a personal level, we don't worry about that, for our Bed and Breakfast business is a lifestyle choice. We still love what we do, enjoying meeting people and sharing our stories. Finding out about the places guests have visited give us great imputus for our travels. Jo and I have recently returned from Vietnam and before that I was fortunate to travel to Italy for three months teaching. What a fabulous base! Here is the latest blog from our travels-

Tuscan Travels and Vietnam Ventures

We arrived home a little earlier this year to carry out landscaping in our front garden. We would like to make something of our views to the mountain and somewhere guests can sit under a shady tree with a cool drink.

It has been a fine week of weather and there is no finer place to be in winter with snow on the mountains. We are enjoying going on our old favourite walks.

Summer 2011 - Enjoying Home and Hosting

It's great to be back in our green environment after winter teaching in Cairo. What a contrast! Arriving home in October, Jo got busy sorting out the house and garden while I turned my hand to relief teaching while staying with mum in Christchurch.

Christmas until mid January has been busy with guests from around the world including England, India, Sweden, US, Australia, Austria, Italy - many escaping their winter cold. Now we have come to a quieter time so we have taken advantage of walking our favourite tracks. Here is some of the scenery on the Chalet Lookout walk, Fox Glacier.

Accommodation options....The Cottage, The Baumann Glacier Room and Waiho Suite

Accommodation: from left the cottage and deck; Baumann bathroom and bedroom and Waiho Suite

The Cottage has a king and single bed, ensuite and it's own deck facing farmland and the Glacier Valley

The Baumann Room has a queen bed and a large luxury bathroom.

The Waiho Suite has a queen bed and single bed in one large room, and a queen bed in a smaller adjoining room. They share a balcony and bathroom across the hall.

Meet your hosts - friendly and welcoming New Zealanders sharing their place with you...

Julie and Jo, keen trampers; Julie's mum and dad on a trip up to the Franz glacier face; Jo at work in the Whataroa Valley and Julie enjoying guests over breakfast.

Great vistas

From left driving along State Highway 6 about a kilometre before Ribbonwood, Fox Glacier, Mount Cook from Lake Matheson, Peters Pool near Franz Josef Glacier and Julie enjoying a Mt Cook Skiplane flight up to the Minarets (3040m) at the head of the Franz Josef Glacier.

Alex Knob Track

The 4 hour (one way) track to Alex Knob climbs steadily from lowland forest through sub-alpine scrub to alpine meadows and herb fields, affording superb views of glaciers, mountains and seascapes at various viewpoints along the way.


Vegetation changes visibly from rimu, rata and kamahi forest to sub-alpine New Zealand cedar and tree daisies. The less common kaka and parakeet can be found along with tui, bellbird and New Zealand pigeon as well as kea and pipit higher up.





The track to Alex Knob zigzags steeply upwards to Rata Lookout for your first view of the glacier and main divide. It is a gentle grade to Christmas Lookout at 900 metres where there is a good rest spot and fantastic glacier views. The primitive grass or pineapple tree, the stringy barked NZ cedar, leathery leafed tree daisies and mountain flax grow in abundance in this area.




A 5 minute detour leads to the Louisa Peak viewpoint where snow grass grows on the cold southern side and scrub on the warm northern face. The marked track continues on over snow tussock and mountain daisies to the Alex Knob 1303 metres summit.

Take a walk up the Fox Glacier with us

Jo and I have enjoyed getting the odd break to walk up the Fox Glacier Valley. This walk takes you up to the terminal ice or as we call it - the face of Fox Glacier.

The views are wonderful on the guided walk. It follows a track way high above the glacier to the side of the valley before you descend to walk on the glacier.

The cottage

We built the cottage two years ago. It is built in a log cabin style with timber panelled walls. Guests enjoy the privacy of its deck to relax in the sun soaking up the views.