Dariusz Winkler

I have recently moved my website to a new domain. My old posts may reappear in your feed reader — sorry for the inconvenience! I redirect the RSS feed to the new domain, but you might want to update the URL in your reader. I've also merged my dev, photography, and personal posts into a single feed. If you're only interested in one of these categories, you can subscribe to the corresponding feed: All posts Software development posts Photography posts Personal posts I'll soon publish an update on…

I enjoyed the busy city life in Melbourne for a few days, but soon the adventurer and nature seeker in me took over again. It so happens that one of the best road trips in the world is around the corner: The Great Ocean Road. It is also the world's largest war memorial, dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I. After a wonderful group trip in Rotorua, I was again looking to share the experience with other people. It didn't take long to gather our fellowship, which coincidentally…

After five weeks in New Zealand, it was time for a change of scenery. Following my original plan and given the proximity, Australia was the obvious choice. However, I had to shorten my stay to reach Japan in time for the cherry blossoms. I decided to split the next two weeks between Melbourne and Sydney. I was also looking forward to finally slowing down and staying more than 1–2 nights in the same place (or so I thought 😅). Just a few days before my arrival, Melbourne was named the "best city…

“I will not say "Do not weep", for not all tears are an evil.” ― The Lord of the Rings On my way to the last stop in New Zealand, I spent a good amount of time at the Ōhau Point Lookout, which is known for a nearby fur seal colony. At one point, another photographer pointed out dolphins in the ocean. While they were quite far away, it was interesting to see their acrobatic talents in action. My trip ended in Kaikōura, with a rocky beach right next to my hostel.

“But in the end it’s only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass.” ― The Lord of the Rings There aren't many interesting stops on the 4-hour drive from Westport to the Abel Tasman National Park (apart from the overall high New Zealand baseline). However, the T-Rex Tree is a low-key spot I had to check out. Just imagine the Jurassic Park music and a big roar, which I won't share here for copyright reasons. Roaaaaaaaar! The Buller Gorge is an actual touristic spot along the way.…

“‘What do you fear, lady?’ he asked. ‘A cage’ she said. ‘To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire.’” ― The Lord of the Rings The West Coast (Te Tai Poutini) is the most sparsely populated region of New Zealand, with a population of only 33.000 people. At the same time, it is the second-biggest region of the South Island. Yet, it can get rather busy, with thousands of tourists taking the Haast Highway to visit…

“Well, I’ve made up my mind, anyway. I want to see mountains again, Gandalf.” ― The Lord of the Rings Wānaka is a smaller, less commercialized resort town compared to Queenstown, with a population of around 13.000, but it's as exciting. On my way to Wānaka, I've had a quick stop at the Crown Range Lookout, which offers an amazing view over the Queenstown area — especially during the golden hour. Once reaching a cozy hostel in Wānaka, I was greeted by a fitting name tag that has been selected…

“The Road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, and I must follow, if I can.” ― The Lord of the Rings Milford Sound is not only the most famous tourist spot in New Zealand, but also one of the world's top travel destinations, attracting up to 1 million visitors per year. It's often referred to as the 8th World Wonder. With such a reputation, my expectations were high. Despite its name, Milford Sound is actually a fjord rather than a sound. The…

“Memory is not what the heart desires. That is only a mirror.” ― The Lord of the Rings Queenstown is a small town with a population of under 30.000. However, with hundreds of thousands of people visiting this town each year, it's one of the biggest tourist hotspots in New Zealand. There are two main reasons: it's an entry point to the Milford Sound, and there are all sorts of thrilling and relaxing activities you can imagine. I only managed to visit the town for around two days due to schedule…

A travel journal from my visit to Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand.

A travel journal from my visit to Dunedin, New Zealand.

A travel journal from my visit to Christchurch, New Zealand.

A travel journal from my visit to Waitomo, New Zealand.