Stopover in NZ
 

As our flight from Brisbane to San Fransisco stops in Auckland (btw, this is a new Air NZ flight, Auckland to San Fransisco, starting in June), we have decided to stopover in NZ for a week. Can anyone give us some ideas about a nice area to visit, not more than 5 hours drive from Auckland?.

Re: Stopover in NZ
 

Three hours easy drive from Auckland is Rotorua. You will find plenty to see and do within 90 min. drive of Rotorua to keep you occupied for a week. Hope this helps BINMAN

Re: Stopover in NZ
 

With respect, Rotorua would be very low down the list for me and most others. Unless you are a 'Niagara Falls' kind of person, best to try: Coromandel (Hawei, Hot Water Beach etc); Bay of Islands; coast near Warkworth. Fit your criteria. All non-spectacular but still very memorable. Rotorua is boring and overdone after about 5 milliseconds, probably one of the worst bits of NZ unless you are into Disneyland.

Re: Stopover in NZ
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Amazulu
U should definately drive to Cape Reinga which is furthest point of north island, beautiful scenery, bay of islands, go to waitangi, where the maori treaty house is, auckland itself is fab and def worth a visit, rotorua is cool but only for a day, it has thermal baths etc there.

South Island is worth a visit, try hamner springs (thermal pools) kaikoura (wildlife ie dolphin swimming, whale watching, seal swimming) also on south island you have mount cook (nz highest peak) fox & franz josef glaciers on west coast and moeraki boulders on east coast. All depends what you want. Have fun.

Re: Stopover in NZ
 

there was a thread on here - I asked and it was interesting

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...hreadid=200718

I have not been here with my kids yet and I have been miserable (nothing to do with the sights) and have not got myself out and about. My mum was over for two days, her impression - did the round Auckland bus trip....brilliant on a nice day loads of info, thought Auckland and the access to the water and future trips could of filled a few more days than she did......but get out and do the sites, and if can get an extra flight into the south island do it!

My experience so far after working here 5 weeks (I work to enjoy myself) we did the casino one night (not upclass) Tower - interesting cause I like scaring myself with heights. Eat out lots but could of got it anywhere. So I am not impressed but think that might because I am a misery. I am living on Princes Wharf - ie into the water centre city! Next to the Hilton! The QE II and the Star Princess have docked right beside me since I have been here and they are impressive while I am working to work!

Do NZ - 2 days Auckland...........and then go see more.

My opinion only!

Re: Stopover in NZ
 

It really does depend on what you like.

For someone who has not been to NZ before (you do not say whether you have or haven't) I would spend a half the week in Auckland and the other half in Rotorua. There are not many places in the world with a volcanic environment like Rotorua, it is fascinating and, as a tourist, you can indulge yourself with a Maori hangi and concert which many Kiwis shy from. Good fun.
:)

Re: Stopover in NZ
 

I have been to NZ before, but only really to South Island (very nice). We have a baby son, so are looking for family things to do ( will treat myself to a jetboat ride though!). We could fly down to Christchurch, but we are doing so much flying on this trip as it is. I have been looking at some brochures today & I think we will probably head north from Auckland, will it probably be a bit warmer?. Thanks everyone for the info.

To Servant24kids and binman THANK YOU.

We have now lived in Rotorua for almost 8 months and have loved every minute of it. It really is an amazingly cultural thermal wonderland {and not a Mouse in sight Don}.

We have already had 3 groups of visitors from the UK who are stunned at the beauty of the area and the variety of activities that you can participate in.

"Rotorua is boring and overdone after about 5 milliseconds, probably one of the worst bits of NZ unless you are into Disneyland." how can anyone say that?

Jet boat ride...try Huka Falls 45 minutes'ish from Rotorua. You can tandem sky dive I believe from Rotorua airport.

Anything specific about Rotorua just PM us.

Gill and Rob

I think Rotorua is worth a visit - I agree with you Gill and Rob, but the area in general is worthy of time spent - not just Rotorua itself.

Huka Falls is by Taupo - which is where I'd recommend. I'd spend a day or two in Rotorua, then head to Taupo to see the free (donation maybe?) Craters of the Moon. If you're into geothermal activity, there are lots of places outside of Rotorua. You could also loop back up through Waitomo Caves and back to Auckland.

Also worth checking out the wild West Coast - Piha etc - like most places in NZ - there's not much except pretty scenery though....

I'm guessing it will be winter when you're there Amazulu? That rules out doing the Tongariro Crossing (fantastic on a fine day) - so heading into Northland would be recommended.

Some nice NZ history at Waitangi and Russell - impressive coastline - and a real laid back part of NZ.

Or the Coromandel, BOP, and East Cape could all be worth a look.

Sounds good. It will be July when we are there. Any recommendations for places to stay in Northland?. I have a friend in Wellington & we are trying to meet up half way & I think Taupo is probably a good place to do this.

OK, 5 milliseconds was overdoing it.

We stayed in Rotorua for maybe 4 days, also went to have a look see at Taupo and Huka Falls.

Interesting enough.

I just wouldn't choose them as being particularly special (apart from the interesting geothermics of course) or typical of NZ - I'd prefer to go for a walk on a beautiful bit of deserted beach, myself.

Shame the 8th wonder got covered over - could have made all the difference.

but what is the weather like late May/Early June?
 

We are also doing a stopover enroute to Brisbane on AirNZ, after doing Raratonga too.

We arrive in Christchurch 18May and are renting motorhome to do 4 weeks through Sth, across the creek, then up through Nth.

Interested to read tips as above posts but concerned what the weather will be like to take advantage of sights like Doubtful Sound, Mt Cook, Kaikoura whale spotting, bubbling sand beach at Coromandel, hole in the rock up at Bay of Islands..... plus staying in campgrounds.


Any Advice on sightseeing above at that time of year will be much appreciated....

:rolleyes:


plus, if anyone lives in NZ and can give us specific advice on above, could you send me an email directly so I can please get some travel advice....thx

:D

Re: but what is the weather like late May/Early June?
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by brisbane bronco

bubbling sand beach at Coromandel
(called Hot Water Beach) Dig ya own bath when the tide goes out and burn your ass:scared:


Rotorua is a dump and smells like one to! Avoid if poss..

Sorry....Have had my car pinched there twice! :mad:

Not my favourite place.

No I don't work for the Rotorua Tourist Information board BUT, Rotorua IS NOT A DUMP !! and although SOME PARTS of it does have a sulphur smell, most places don't. In fact we were dissapointed that it didn't smell more pungent ! It is after all part of the geothermal activity that is such an attraction to the area.

As for having your car stolen, it is coincidental that it was twice in the same town.

Gill

I stayed in Rotorua for 2 days and it was 1.5 days too long!

Yes the geyser and thermals were "interesting" but the rest of the place is a grubby old town. Was one of the biggest disappointments of NZ for me.

Loved Taupo and Huka Falls, but even that gets boring after a short while.

Piha is definitely a good palce to visit and close to Aucks. I lved about 20mins from there and often took the dogs for a walk next to the crashing waves. Even the drive down to it is lovely.

Nice place for a pleasant afternoon is visiting the macadamia nut farm just outside Helensville...i cant remember the name of it...but its a beautiful place.

With regards to Rotorua - if you want to see geothermal activity the sites actually in town are over priced, touristy and disappointing.

Hell's Gate is OK but again - very touristy.

Get out to one of the surrounding valleys - there is one that just took our breath away on the Rotorua/Taupo road - it is awesome - really beautiful and not so many busloads of tourists - there are some really nice thermal pools off that road too - again not touristy and jolly nice (especially if you and your missus get a private pool ;) )

As soon as I remember the name of that valley I will post it up here!


Wai-o-tapu Thermal Valley - that's the one!!

Try this www.geyserland.co.nz/

Is that where is the Londoners go in NZ boom boom

Watch out for the Orcs and other middle earth weirdos. According to legend the land is in danger of going over to the dark side of Mordor.

Re: but what is the weather like late May/Early June?
 

the weather in may,june, july will be okay. Might be a bit wet, but it won't be freezing (in the north) - sitting in hot water beach might be a bit chilly, but could be nice on winters day.

Or you could go to some nice thermal pools in Waiwera, Te Aroha, Rotorua or any number of places.


Rotorua as a town is nothing flash, but the Rotorua region is very good. Tarawera region is worth a look too. The Tarawera crater is magnificent, and Buried Village is okay (not fabulous, and certainly no Pompeii - but then what is?) - but interesting enough.

On Northland - can't name any specific places to stay that aren't camp grounds - but a good place to base yourself would be Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Small tourist town - but a good starting point for all the sights.

This is a good interesting little museum in Matakohe, telling the history of the Kauri tree and logging in NZ: http://www.bestwestern.co.nz/northland/museum.htm