Mavora - All alone in the wild.

[@tanianigelwade8935]

Loved being the teacher. Such fun. Social studies and science was fun... cooking was a great way for them to get more experience 😋 🙌. Also nice to have a nice 👍

[@leopardsgowild]

The kids are really getting a lot out of it, aye. Especially the cooking.

[@sandratyree547]

I’ve been hanging out for this episode 😊❤️ it is a very special part of the world and it was lovely to see you enjoying it 😊❤️🥰

[@leopardsgowild]

@@sandratyree547 such a cool adventure through here

[@jaredford8440]

That beautiful stone cottage under the shady trees 🤩

[@nathanjamesmcleod]

Love Mavora, been going there for years. Can't wait to get back again

[@HILLBILLYHUNTERS1]

Thank you so much for doing the Mavora trip . I'm 71 now and can remember doing the Mavora lakes adventure with my Father for many years with a wee ford teems he made into a camper . There was no roads then just a pack horse track and miles of creeks and tussock to negotiate , so plenty of digging and pushing . The road to Walter Peak wasn't in then . Plenty of deer and fish in the lakes and rivers though , but the isolation was out of this world .

[@jaredford8440]

❤ love that little story 🎄🌺

[@leopardsgowild]

Mate thats incredible. I heard the land was surveyed for the road back in the early 60's and that there used to be some old cribs out there, that we're removed when in came into DOC hands. The isolation out these ways blows my mind, what a trip.

[@valdi1214]

@@leopardsgowildI met the guy that surveyed the road a couple of years ago. Good story.

[@Qtwn]

Love Mavora Lakes, great to see you all enjoying it there

[@leopardsgowild]

Cheers! Mavora Lakes is pretty special, isn't it?

[@waynefergusson9987]

@@leopardsgowild I met a local at the beginning of the year as I was heading through Kingston ' she mentioned a road that went up the range as if it was a must see ' cant remember what she called the place but I was on a mish to get to Oraka so didn't veer off track to see

[@valdi1214]

Fabulous place. Been there several times. Once just arrived, only ones there no one in sight, my fishing rod leaning against my van, knock knock, fisheries inspector, you got a license. Yes Sir. Caught a nice trout. Another in the week before Xmas woke up covered in snow. Love the place.

[@leopardsgowild]

That's awesome, you've got to love those remote locations, nothing like a bit of peace and quiet and a nice trout, and some summer now, I bet that melted fast though... It really is a gem of a spot, we'll all be keen to go back next time we are in the area.

[@bryanbadger6841]

Only been to the lakes once. Slept in the car. Had our own fireplace. Loved it. Yeah it was isolated. Maybe 2 cars went past our campsite. Had an old terracotta plant pot,which I repurposed as a charcoal bbq. Beef tasted awesome, over the charcoal. Better than old fashioned gas. And no it's not carcinogenic. That's a fallacy. Thanks again guys for the upload. Love your channel. Thank you for sharing. Take care.

[@leopardsgowild]

@@bryanbadger6841 awesome mate, places like this are paradise, I hear Taylor lake is another one we need to get too. Camp fire cook ups are great. Merry Christmas

[@bryanbadger6841]

@leopardsgowild and Merry Christmas to you all

[@caravanstuff2827]

Thanks!

[@i.g.n2trip684]

@@caravanstuff2827 you paid the doc fee nice

[@leopardsgowild]

This guy that keeps on giving, thanks mate.

[@DonClark-eh3lq]

Thank you Leopards, what an amazing place, Mavora Lakes is; so kicking myself that we weren't prepared for a camp stay with bug spray etc. It was great that you could just up and move a couple ks to bit more sheltered spot and enjoy the beauty swimming hole. We had an really strong SE wind for two days last week, it blew lots of fruit off the trees and put a load of debris into our daughters pool, while we were house sitting there. Have a great xmas guys and a wonderful new year, filled with great memories of your travels.

[@TwoShortNZ]

Thanks for taking us on the journey through this beautiful valley. Brilliantly done video.

[@leopardsgowild]

It was great sharing it with you all. such a privilege to travel through these ancient places.

[@georgeherman7846]

One of my favorite place's in New Zealand

[@leopardsgowild]

def up there for us as well, would like to go back in late summer, when the weather is normally at it's best.

[@jaredford8440]

Nacho's with salad and picnic's 🤤two of my favorite things 😋 Merry Christmas Leopards 🎄🌺🎄🌺🎄🌺🎄🌺🎄🌺❤️

[@leopardsgowild]

love a nacho salad. Merry christmas bro, up the Wahs.

[@jaredford8440]

@@leopardsgowild 💙🤍💚❤️☝🏼

[@ajjuney]

Great trip and update well done. The kids cook a strong game. 👏🏻

[@leopardsgowild]

Awesome! It’s a good spot, and the kids are a good in the kitchen aye, they are going to go places thats for sure.

[@BethCollier-xd9ym]

What clever kids, what i heard mostly about the food was "Yum" merry christmas to the traveling leopards.

[@michaelzwiener1756]

No battle for us. Wife and kids hate cooking, I love it. Sorted :) What an awesome spot. Will definitely check it out 😊

[@leopardsgowild]

I'm going to lose my love of cooking from these kids, I'll get too used to being cooked for, and then they will grow up and leave and I won't want to cook any more lol...

[@travellersnestoverland]

Just hit 31 degrees thos afternoon here in Toowoomba. Wind is blowing from the outback. It is going to be a hot week. Enjoy Christmas Cheers Rolanda

[@leopardsgowild]

Hope you have a good Christmas Rolanda, enjoy the heat, we've been lucky to get to 20 here... But we just arrived back in to Otago we have 32 degress on the forecast in a few days time.

[@DaveCusick]

Loved your video.I was there with my cobber when we rode the total trai mid Novemberl.I did get a coffee at the station without any hassles.We based ourselves at the Mossburn camp for seven nights while biking the trail.not sure if i would take my UK van that far on gravel, into the Ashburton lakes is far enough for me.Have a good Christmas you guys and keep up the great videos.

[@leopardsgowild]

thanks mate. RealNZ have messaged regarding this, I think they are making changes for those who drive in, would be so nice to drive all that way in the remote country to arrive to some luxury aye. Ashburton lakes is another special spot.

[@davekerr8133]

That was great...fantastic....awesome......superb!!! I love the way you guys work together & interact. It's great to see your kids contributing so much. That trip down the river looked like a lot of fun. We used to cart our 4m Zodiac inflatable around the country & do stuff like that. Oh, the joy of it all. Thanks team 😊

[@leopardsgowild]

Oh thanks so much mate, what a great adventure we had out here... I reckon we would have been happy out here twice as long as we were out there, a magic spot, with lots of fun to be had.

[@i.g.n2trip684]

Brings back memories of being a kid. Well done kids 5 star food

[@leopardsgowild]

Oh thats cool, it's a pretty out of the way place to get to aye... The kids food was def 5star.

[@i.g.n2trip684]

@ it’s a lovely place need a real 4wd to adventure forward but impossible with young kids to risky

[@jezthomas4402]

10,000 - woohoo!!!!! Very well earnt you guys!

[@leopardsgowild]

thank you, it's a big milestone aye, taken 4.5years to reach that number.

[@tonymckeage1028]

I've been to both Mavora lakes and Walter Peak .i went out to the south mavora lake and walked around it with my Aunt, it was long, I did go across to walter peak from queenstown a very different experience , thanks for sharing

[@leopardsgowild]

great trip. I think we'd be up for the walter peak experience if we didn't have to pay for 5. just being at Mavora felt special enough, we had such a great adventure out there. Its always fun to go to places like this, that we haven't been to before.

[@48rimu]

Beautiful part of the country,thanks for the video,have yous camped around lake aviemore,there's some really nice spots to park up and camp right next to the lake away from the big campgrounds.

[@leopardsgowild]

We have camped at the Benmore Dam, but not at Aviemore, there's a lot of campsites around those man made lakes aye.

[@whayman1026]

Great episode! Will have to try and get down to that campsite. We love going to Walter Peak station, a pity they couldn’t be more accommodating to you. I’m glad you survived what must have been a dangerous place. 😂

[@leopardsgowild]

thanks mate, I think it's pretty wild out there aye, dangerous to the elements, but very isolated for people. I think Real NZ maybe becoming more accommadating to those who choose to drive, which is nice.

[@waynefergusson9987]

wow another cool vid ' thanks team !

[@leopardsgowild]

Thanks mate, this was a really amazing adventure out into the wild.

[@waynefergusson9987]

@@leopardsgowild You guys clearly have a soft spot for Otago

[@leopardsgowild]

@@waynefergusson9987 we have soft spots for lots of places mate, this was our first time coming into here... We got some gems all over the country, Southland with Colac Bay, the Catlins, Whites bay in Marlborough, the Far North, too many places to name.

[@bumonthemove]

stunning place, we will visit later in the year. by the ay you are asked in my spot😀🤣 see you left it already.😀(comments are made while watching

[@leopardsgowild]

Ah you’re going to love it there, so peaceful and stunning! Don't take OUR SPOT lol.

[@Fishingreminder]

Nice video guys, everyone has a nice Aeroo Shirt :) - have you tried out the Drone yet?

[@leopardsgowild]

@@Fishingreminder thanks mate, yep being using the drone, it's great, but not to much luck fishing down south with the wind, rain and rough seas.

[@Fishingreminder]

​@@leopardsgowild Hope the weather will improve down there. The west cost has provided some great fishing for us lately. The Mavora lakes look awesome though, has been on our bucket for so long as well. Hopefully we'll make it this year. I bet the trout fishing would be really good there.

[@PentaxLife]

Nice. Video Mike, where is that fishing rod? beautiful Trout that should be in that river.

[@leopardsgowild]

We did some fishing mate, but with no luck unfortunatley, those who were fly fishing at South lake seemed to have some luck though.

[@BROOK-e1j]

keep up the good work ! any recommended freedom camping spots over at Collingwood ? golden bay ?

[@leopardsgowild]

We've not camped over there before, so we're not to familar with the area sorry. If you get Wiki camps thats got the best insights for freedom camping.

[@bryanbadger6841]

@leopardsgowild hi Mike. The TinyHome gang have been camping at Ferntown these past few days. Even though online they left us in Fiordland, they're up her in the Bay. I tried to catch up with them. So if your subscriber clicks onto Ferntown P.O.P.. They may get lucky. It's not far from Collingwood. I mean TRAVELING TINY NZ

[@lukeduke3001]

Thanks again you must be giving us what we want to see ,,your subscribers are jumping on your channel

[@leopardsgowild]

thank you, subs continue to come in which is nice. I think we live in a great country and it's nice to share it.

[@paulsmith6184]

Merry Christmas to all the Leopard family. I hope you have a great one!

[@leopardsgowild]

Merry Christmas to you as well, we hope you enjoy the festive season.

[@paulsmith6184]

@@leopardsgowild Thanks Mike

[@biggblueyy]

Will be camping up the very top of the north lake in the new year at easter

[@leopardsgowild]

that would be awesome up there in easter, likely pretty cold nights, but should be nice and still.

[@caravanstuff2827]

Epic part of the south island.. shame I'll never go their as i have a English caravan and it will fill up with dust and fall apart..still thanks to you guys i got to see it from the comfort of my sofa..stay safe and a merry Christmas to you all.❤️🧑‍🎄🎄🎁🙏🇳🇿

[@leopardsgowild]

A few english vans up there, but the road can get rough especially around summer when there are lots of people using the road in. Could always stay at the Lumsden NZMCA park and do a day trip in, the drive is pretty awesome.

[@caravanstuff2827]

Sounds like a plan..I'll put on my "to do list in 25.❤️🇳🇿​@@leopardsgowild

[@travellingtinynz5210]

Nice to see you guys at Mavora! Hey can you come and open your restaurant next to us? I’d pay $30 for that breakfast! 👍😁

[@leopardsgowild]

@@travellingtinynz5210 I'll let jade know, was bloody amazing... I think she'd do well, just the timings lol

[@banditoo7]

Great spot that Mavora. My last adventure bike video we stayed at the top of the North lake. Luckily we didnt have all that wind. Are you still around the Southland area? I drive Fonterra tanker and always looking out for you guys. If you get flashed and see the driver waving, it's me. Safe travels. Looking forward to your guys next one.

[@leopardsgowild]

ha ha, thats awesome mate, I'll be looking out for Fonterra trucks now. We are back up in Otago now, we spent a good month down in Southland though, a bit of bad weather this time around.

[@banditoo7]

@leopardsgowild it certainly was funny weather for summer so far. I do get up as far as Alexandra and beyond a bit, so may see you guys. I'm based out of Edendale, live in Invercargill. Just love it here. Moved from Taupo a year ago.

[@robinmills5827]

My favourite camping place. To avoid most of the sandflies and the wind, camp on one of the terraces well above the lake, There are spots sheltered from the NW by trees. Fabulous views but not so convenient for the kids as it's quite a walk to the lake. I was there for 4 sunny, windless days in early December a few years ago when the sandflies by the lake were very hungry. I love the kids cooking creations. They look delicious and healthy as well. Have they written a cook book of their favourite recipes yet?

[@leopardsgowild]

@@robinmills5827 thanks Robin, we weighed up the terraces up the hill, but the views weren't as good and the wind was still getting through, glad we moved to the spot by the river. The kids cooking is pretty amazing 😍🤩

[@spider-man910]

looks like Christmas in the Camper .....🤣🤣lol

[@leopardsgowild]

def christmas in the camper for the 3rd year in a row.

[@murrayclarke2171]

Great trip for a motorbike. As is Walter peak.

[@leopardsgowild]

@@murrayclarke2171 oh yea, I hear it's dirt bike central over January, so much exploring in the area

[@hopaea7]

Publish that menu I reckon! I'll order the mega chicken and chips

[@leopardsgowild]

@@hopaea7 how many pieces makes it mega?

[@leroywelsh5439]

Beaut spot when the southerlys aint blowing gd fishing too

[@leopardsgowild]

We had a blast out there, would have loved to have stayed for longer... We tried fishing, but no luck for us, but we've got a few good tips for next time.

[@scallywags12]

Good day to go sailing with a mini hoby cat.

[@leopardsgowild]

that wind, wow, could have had fun if you had the right kit aye.

[@tanianigelwade8935]

Do you fish much?

[@leopardsgowild]

We do quite a bit of fishing, but more surf casting or drone fishing, we do have our fishing licences and did a bit of trout fishing but we didn't catch anything.

[@geofflewis8599]

Tourism NZ should be paying you fullas..

[@leopardsgowild]

lol, wouldn't that be nice. Thanks for the kind words

[@CHillAdventures]

baaaahahaahahaa dude, wouldnt yah know, ive got a 3 pack of SHE-WEEs lololol,, im a good vanlife host for tha ladies hahaha. i laughed so hard when i heard tobes say that lololol..... dude, i cant wait till i can film every video shirtless,, so.cold.now. Bro, picnic lunch is way better than the " health and safety lunch" what a joke eh... still beauty spot tho! Great Episode yall, hope all is well!!!!

[@leopardsgowild]

Thanks Cam... Toby I don't think really knows what a she we is, he's just heard it being refered too lol... I tell ya what I didn't even make a half day with no shirt on this whole summer yet lol, the days start nice or finish nice and nothing inbetween lol... Maybe from today which is about 5 episodes away we will start to see some true summer action, we even have a day looking to push 90 just after Christmas, lets hope, because it's been such a terrible build up to summer down here. Hope your keeping warm my friend.

[@CHillAdventures]

@leopardsgowild all good over here bruv🤙✌️🌊♥️

[@michaelzwiener1756]

180 pp??? So if I got with my 3 teens, I pay 900 dollars for a short boat trip and lunch? That‘s just nuts. And then they don‘t even serve you when you don’t come with the tourist trap boat. That happens to places which income comes mainly from tourism. People get greedy and in-personable. I liked your lunch a lot better and I got a boat myself 😊

[@robvanduren761]

Refusing to serve you is why real Kiwis avoid Queenstown completely. And other over rated destinations.

[@leopardsgowild]

That is pretty steep, it's a shame they don't cater more to self-sufficient travellers, like kiwis who have their vehicles to get out here, and can break the trip up by buying some lunch or a coffee..

[@michaelzwiener1756]

⁠issue is that I absolutely love the altitude brewery 😄

[@leopardsgowild]

@michaelzwiener1756 oh gosh, you got to make a choice mate 😉 😂😆

[@michaelzwiener1756]

@@leopardsgowild😩