Aotearoa Adventures: The New Zealand Travel Podcast

Abigail Hannah
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Aotearoa Adventures: The New Zealand Travel Podcast

Explore New Zealand with Aotearoa Adventures - your ultimate guide to travel, adventure, and the outdoors. Each week, host Abigail Hannah brings you inspiring stories from everyday people, covering tramping, vanlife, bikepacking, road trips, and so much more. Get beginner tips and practical advice for every adventure, from camping under the stars to multi-week expeditions. Whether you’re a local, on a working holiday, or visiting, this podcast will inspire you to explore New Zealand deeper and connect with nature.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    114: Sea Kayaking for Beginners and the Best of the Hauraki Gulf with Bennett Lim

    Bennett Lim has always been drawn to the water and set his sights on sea kayaking as a teen. Since then, his obsession with paddling has grown and being based in Auckland means the Hauraki Gulf is right on his doorstep! Working as a sea kayak guide and instructor, Bennett spends his days off doing other personal trips and multi-day missions. He has explored most of the islands in the Gulf, with a goal to circumnavigate all the islands, including Waiheke and Aotea Great Barrier. He talks about the best spots to explore in the Hauraki Gulf depending on what type of adventure you'd like. Bennett shares his advice for anyone that wants to start sea kayaking, covering gear, skills and how to overcome the biggest barriers to getting started. KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories. 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 Bennett on Instagram: instagram.com/benditto_/Auckland Sea Kayaks Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide

    44 min

  2. NOV 7

    113: Tramping the St James Walkway and an Unexpected Encounter with Olivia, Jacinda and Sarah Blair

    Sarah Blair started tramping with her daughters, Jacinda (16) and Olivia (12) recently. In this episode, they share about tramping the St James Walkway over 5 days. They share about the route, suitable for beginner and advanced trampers, huts along the way and their favourite moments. They had an unexpected encounter involving an old hunter's hut, wild horses, the police and kiwi hospitality. The trio love getting outdoors together and find that their bond deepens when they see one another at their worst and they create so many special memories together. They share advice for other families with teens that want to get outdoors. KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories. 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 Sarah on Instagram: instagram.com/sarahblairadventures/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide

    36 min

  3. NOV 1

    112: Crossing the Cook Strait on a Paddleboard and Surf Lifesaving with Britt Spencer

    Britt Spencer is the first person to cross the Cook Strait on a prone paddle board. She shares about her journey getting into surf life saving, her deep love of the sport and how she has competed at an international level. Despite the Cook Strait being notoriously dangerous and previous health challenges, Britt decided she wanted to attempt a crossing between the North and South island. Her community rallied around her, supporting her goal through the training, logistics and providing safety during the crossing. Britt talks about emotions she felt on the day, from the physical challenges to the high of completion. She shares awesome advice for anyone else working towards a huge goal that may feel unreachable. KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories. 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 Britt on Instagram: instagram.com/brittjayspencer/ Watch Paddle X on YouTube Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide

    44 min

  4. OCT 30 · BONUS

    BONUS: One year of running a business

    One year on from quitting her corporate job, Abigail Hannah shares her journey of running a business. In this episode she covers: A breakdown of earnings and expenses Biggest lessons learnt Mindset and confidence Losing and gaining clients What's next for 2025 Regrets and what she would do differently VOTE for Aotearoa Adventures in the NZ Podcast Awards: ⁠https://www.nzpodcastawards.com/nominate ⁠Get my NZ Map & Guide ⁠Ellen Mackenzie’s Dishing Up Digital School⁠ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

    35 min

  5. OCT 25

    111: Coming Home to New Zealand and Living in a Kombi as a Family with Kirianna Poole

    Kirianna Poole, author of The Slow Road, grew up on the East Coast. After living overseas in Australia and Japan, she brought her family of 5 to New Zealand to live on the road in their 1964 VW Kombi and caravan. Kiri shares all about the 18 month journey across the North and South Island. Kiri talks about her three favourite locations, favourite campsites and why they are so special and memorable for the family. Living in a 1964 Kombi also has its challenges, and she shares about an incident in the Homer Tunnel. Kiri and her family still live on the road, shipping their Kombi to Japan and Hawaii, and then to the rest of the world. KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories. 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 Kiri on Instagram: instagram.com/theslowroad_/ Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@theslowroad Buy The Slow Road: The Complete Guide to Vanlife in New Zealand Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/ Get my NZ Map & Guide

    45 min

  6. OCT 17

    110: A Sea Kayaking Expedition Along the Fiordland Coast with Mark Jones

    Mark Jones is a well-known adventurer in the NZ expedition community. In this episode Mark shares about his most recent journey - sea kayaking the Fiordland coast. Due to the weather, they had to switch to Plan B, and started in Doubtful Sound, finishing in Jackson Bay. The duo were self-sufficient with their protein, fishing and hunting off the land. Mark shares about where they stayed along the way - at questionable campsites and historic huts. There were some incredibly challenging surf landings that damaged both kayaks, calling for DIY repairs to complete the journey. As an Outdoor Education lecturer at AUT, Mark is passionate about inspiring adventure and the connection between mental wellbeing and the outdoors. KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand, building great gear that you need to be fully prepared. Visit keaoutoors.com to see their full range of survival gear and outdoor accessories. 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 :) Watch the film: Sea Kayak Fiordland 2024 Donate to the Mental Health Foundation NZ fundraiser FREE resources for mental wellbeing Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

    35 min

  7. OCT 10

    109: An Epic 4WD Summer Road Trip at the Top of the South with Brad Willetts

    Brad Willetts grew up as a BMX kid in Western Australia. After a trip to Canada, he got a desire to be closer to the mountains and ended up in Wānaka. One of Brad's most memorable road trips was a summer trip with friends around Nelson and Marlborough at the top of the South Island. As a photographer, Brad loves the diversity of landscapes in such a small space in NZ. He shares about some of the mishaps his mate Tom has with his Defender during this trip as well as what's coming up next for him. Brad has also co-founded a NZ-made camp goods company called Cold Start. He shares his advice for people that want to get started 4WDing. KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand on a mission to build innovative, versatile and reliable outdoor gear for the every-day adventurer. Use the code Adventure2024 for 15% off your next online order: bit.ly/458VGEG 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 Brad on Instagram: instagram.com/bradwilletts/ www.coldstart.co.nz/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

    38 min

  8. OCT 3

    108: Fastpacking from St Arnaud to Arthur's Pass in 8 Days with Alice Brice

    Alice Brice discovered fastpacking out of necessity - as a busy Mum, she had less time for weekend adventures and found she could do more if she moved quicker. A cross between trail running and ultralight, Alice's base pack weight is 9-10kg and she can cover over 30kms a day. We talk about an 8 day mission between St Arnaud and Arthur's Pass along Te Araroa. Their 254km trip started with a challenging race to beat the weather to Waiau Pass and ended with an incredible swim in Lake Mavis. Alice talks about the importance of self-talk in keeping yourself moving and motivated, while also sharing tips and advice for beginners that want to get started. KEA Outdoors is a kiwi brand on a mission to build innovative, versatile and reliable outdoor gear for the every-day adventurer. Use the code Adventure2024 for 15% off your next online order: bit.ly/458VGEG 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 Alice on Instagram: instagram.com/aliceinthehills/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/

    42 min
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About

Explore New Zealand with Aotearoa Adventures - your ultimate guide to travel, adventure, and the outdoors. Each week, host Abigail Hannah brings you inspiring stories from everyday people, covering tramping, vanlife, bikepacking, road trips, and so much more. Get beginner tips and practical advice for every adventure, from camping under the stars to multi-week expeditions. Whether you’re a local, on a working holiday, or visiting, this podcast will inspire you to explore New Zealand deeper and connect with nature.

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