149: Solo Expedition on Rakiura and ADHD with Wild Boy Brando Yelavich
Brando Yelavich AKA Wild Boy has spent the past decade chasing knowledge of the world and of himself through epic expeditions. He has walked the coastline of New Zealand, skied across Greenland, sea kayaked around Vancouver Island and cycled across Australia. He shares about his Solo Expedition on Rakiura Stewart Island to circumnavigate its rugged coastline. Brando shares what it was like to navigate wind–swept scrub, survive on minimal food, and celebrate his birthday alone. He talks about the turning point when he abandoned his original plan, chose curiosity over ego, and began exploring the island’s waterfalls, granite cliffs and subantarctic–like beaches. Brando reflects on ADHD, storytelling and the importance of doing adventures for the right reasons.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayGet my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary 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 Brando on Instagram: instagram.com/brandoyelavichexplorer/www.wildboyadventures.comWatch Wild Boy (limited time): docedge.nz/events/wildboy/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide
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148: A Mountaineering Career and Climbing Mt Aspiring with Dom Huxley
Dom Huxley made a name for himself after climbing Aoraki Mt Cook as a teenager. The outdoors became a safe haven for Dom early in his life and since then, he's climbed Mt Aspiring more than a dozen times and spent seasons mountaineering in Nepal. Dom shares about a recent Mt Aspiring trip and how he took a friend up for their first mountain summit. They camped under rock bivvys and had a 15 hour day with 1,200m of altitude gain. Dom shares about some of the technical parts of alpining - from altitude sickness in Nepal, to gear that's important to have and communities for beginners to learn skills. He reflects on his shifting perspective of the mountains and says, "the biggest thing I'd tell people is just to go and look at a mountain. Not everything has to be climbed. Not everything has to be summited."Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayGet my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itineraryThank 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 Dom on Instagram: instagram.com/rum_doodle/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide
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147: An Ocean Obsession, Great White Encounter and Spearfishing with Laura Kuggeleijn
Laura Kuggeleijn discovered spearfishing while living in the middle of Auckland - with her first catch at Ti Point. Laura shares about learning to hold her breath, navigating seasickness, and slowly shifting her fear of sharks into awe. Laura shares stories of diving off Great Barrier Island to encountering a great white shark up close at Stewart Island Nationals. She talks about how the ocean has shaped her friendships, built resilience, and helped her reconnect with her adventurous self.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayGet my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itineraryThank 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 Laura on Instagram: instagram.com/spearotual_mermaid/Listen to Spearo DiariesFreediving Community: Salt AotearoaRead the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide
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146: Hiking to Barker Hut and Ranking NZ's Best DOC Huts with Chris Lierheimer
Chris Lierheimer moved to NZ from Colorado and quickly fell in love with the DOC hut system - and made a spreadsheet to rank them all. He shares about tramping to Barker Hut, a remote and challenging alpine hut near Arthur’s Pass. After misreading the route and starting late, the hike pushed them to their limits. Chris shares lessons from that trip and why he believes the backcountry in New Zealand holds a kind of magic. He shares about grief, creativity and joy and tips for anyone that wants to start tramping.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayGet my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary 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 Chris on Instagram: instagram.com/chrislierheimer/Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@ChrisLierheimer Hut Ranking Spreadsheet Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide
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145: Solo Tramping the Mangamate Loop in Whirinaki Forest Park with Sharon Evans
Sharon Evans AKA @freewheelingkiwi shares her story of solo tramping the Mangamate Loop in Whirinaki Forest Park. After years away from multi-day hiking alone and logistics to sort, she spent three days on the trail -with stream crossings, freezing nights and full huts. But a magic moment hearing wild kiwi call in the bush made it all worth it. Sharon offers honest advice for beginners, practical gear tips, and a reminder that solo adventures and expeditions are less about strength and more about mindset. She also touches on hiking Te Araroa and staying authentic on social media.Discover the best of New Zealand with my NZ Map & Guide, featuring 100+ incredible locations for your next adventure. Use PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% off and start planning your dream trip todayGet my NZ Map & GuideBook your 1-on-1 consult and personalised itinerary 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 Sharon on Instagram: instagram.com/freewheelingkiwi/Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/c/FreewheelingKiwi www.freewheelingkiwi.comRead the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide
About 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.
New Zealand