A travelling gnome and a self-described 'mistress” are departing Tauranga today.

Judy Rice and her garden gnome, named Winkle, are embarking on their first journey around the North Island. They arrived in Tauranga two months ago.

Judy first coined the idea to bravely travel the country after her unwell husband and mother passed away 'within weeks” of each other at the beginning of last year.

She has always wanted to road trip around the North Island, but as a Christchurch local who had been taking care of her husband, she never had the chance.

Earlier this year she was finally able to plan the trip. One day when she was in the midst of her planning, she says one of her '340” garden gnomes at home was calling her.

Winkle soaking up the rays at Tauranga Harbour. Photo: Supplied.

'It just came to me in my head. I should take a gnome. Then, I was looking at Winkle and thought I should definitely take him," says Judy.

'I just thought it would be a great idea to take him on the trip. It's just my stupid sense of humour really."

Winkle and Judy then set off across the Cook Strait on November 30, where the pair began house sitting to stay in different parts of the country.

They plan on returning home at the end of April, a journey lasting a total of five months.

Judy and Winkle. Photo: Supplied/Stuff.

The pair have stayed in two homes since setting foot in Tauranga two months ago. Judy says she is now en route to Taupō, where she will then slowly start making her way down to Wellington.

Judy says Winkle and herself have a tour booked at Parliament coming up. When asked if security is a concern, she says 'I hope not, but Winkle will definitely blog about it if there is”.

Exploring places she hasn't seen before is Judy's favourite part of the journey so far, she says.

'That's the whole point of this trip. I'm calling it my big OE. It's pretty daunting to drive and explore for the first time, but we're having a great time.”

One troublesome part of the trip so far has been Winkle's strong dislike towards washing. Although he has his own toilet bag, Judy says it is sometimes a battle to get him to use it.

Winkle pictured with his seat belt done up next to his toilet bag, whilst enjoying a chocolate fish. Photo: Supplied.

Judy says having Winkle as a travel buddy has kept her company during a time where she is living out a dream which seemed daunting to embark on.

To read more about Judy and Winkle's journey visit her blog here.

-Additional reporting by Siobhan Dowes/Stuff.