mwhite1962

Hi all,
Just spent a lot of time and money winterproofing our house and decided its about time we started to see a bit more off NZ, we have earmarked this weekend for bike riding/wine tasting session in Napier but weather looks a bit dodgy so looking for ideas, we live in Rotorua and dont fancy driving miles to get anywhere, south island is on the agenda but waiting until we get more time! So....any suggestions

Mick

Justcol

have you ridden the MTB trails at Redwoods, thats right on your doorstep

sparkie down under

I'm with Justcol on that one. Discovered the Redwoods this year. Whaaaaaaaa, Weeeeeeee, Shitttttttttttt, crash! natures fun park - without safety belts - yeah

waikatoguy

Waitomo Caves and Otorohanga Kiwi House double combo perhaps? At least those would be mainly indoors. Although Waitomo Caves are quite touristy and expensive I think now.
Or a little further away the Whangamata walkway taking in old gold mines, waterfalls etc?
Or perhaps you could go the nude beach at the Mount and frolic in the rain???

Justcol

Ooo didn't know there was one ???

sparkie down under

there isn't! people just can't afford togs after paying to stay there Nice place but hellish expensive if you ask me - which you didn't

Tomsk

From Rotorua, for a relatively easy drive I'd be thinking about Tongariro National Park for some tramping or biking, or leave it a few months & head there for the snow. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...ro/activities/

Or what about the Coromandel for some beaches & scenery?http://www.newzealand.com/int/coromandel/

Depends a bit on the weather & what things you enjoy doing, but I reckon that one of the best things about Rotorua is that it's pretty central, you can get to some interesting places within a 3 hour drive or so.

Jan n Neil

When you eventually make the south island we always have a spare bed

Neil

mwhite1962

Thanks Guy's for the replies, we have done the usual touristy things when we first came over, but the weather is picking up for the weekend so Napier here we come for some wine drinking!!
And Neil, may take you up on that offer, not sure when we will be down tho!!

Mick

whitesand

Why don't you try the Far North. It's really different up there and not many folks seem to know much about it. We like to go up the west roads from Auckland and travel up that way as the traffic is not so bad and you see lots of really quiet, interesting small towns. The Hokianga is really nice as is Rawene (a great little cafe there on the edge of the river). Then travel up the woods further north or see the sandhills down near Mitimiti.

There places are not on the tourist routes but really much more pleasant.

mwhite1962

Hi
We have tried and liked it , it was on my wish list to live up there when we decided to come over( before i found out about the flooding) we did go to Kerikeri, Russell and Paihia and did really enjoy it, but never made the west coast.
So much to see, and we will get around to it eventually!!