The Eat Clean, Health & Dream Blog

There are some places that quietly mark your life, and no matter how far you roam, they keep tugging at you. For me, the Bay of Islands is one of those places. For over twenty years it has held a truly special place in my heart—one that continues to draw me back, and now, my partner Craig too. This corner of the Northlands isn’t just a destination; it’s a feeling. A blend of ocean air, layered history, relaxed living, and landscapes that invite you to slow down and stay awhil

On our latest trip to Waihi Beach, we decided — very last minute (as in, the day before!) — to book a proper house instead of our usual smaller stays. We’ve been trying to lean more into “living” in New Zealand when we visit, especially in places we love returning to, and Another on Leo turned out to be exactly the kind of base we’d hoped for. We’d spotted it on a few booking platforms before and always thought it looked good value. We booked five nights initially, and while

This visit came about thanks to a classic Coromandel curveball — the weather turned, our original spot in Waihi Beach was fully booked, and we needed a last-minute save for Saturday night. Straight onto Hotels.com we went, and within minutes we’d locked in a Queen Tropical Garden Villa at Pacific Harbour Villas . It actually wasn’t our first time doing a last-minute dash here. We stayed a couple of years ago under similar circumstances, so we already knew this place was our

One of the highlights of our time in Waihi Beach was the stunning coastal walk to Orokawa Bay. We’ve done variations of this walk in the past, but this time we tackled the entire track with fishing rods and towels in tow, turning it into a full day coastal adventure. The walk begins at the northern end of Waihi Beach, where a well-marked trail climbs gently through coastal vegetation. From the first lookout, the Pacific stretches endlessly ahead, with waves crashing against r

Waihi Beach is one of those places that keeps calling us back. We’ve been here a few times now and every visit reminds us why we love it – long stretches of sand, salty air, great surf, and that relaxed coastal vibe that instantly slows you down. This time, though, it’s just myself and Craig. No kids, no schedules, just a couple of days away. The only catch? The weather had other ideas. Wind, rain, and grey skies rolled in, closing the beaches for swimming and surf. When the

Every year I ask my boys where they’d like to go or what they’d like to do. Sometimes that question comes back to bite me… but where’s the fun if it doesn’t? After a summer break in Fuerteventura, we casually mentioned a winter, pre-Christmas trip. Without hesitation, they both said they wanted to go to Euro Disney “when it’s all Christmassy.” I wasn’t sure I could make it happen — but I did. In November, for a belated birthday treat for my eldest, we headed off for a long we