North Island Travel Forum

not really a question, but, if your reading this and staying in central Auckland tonight you have to go to the voodoo lounge just off of Queen St, if you like a good night out and waking up in the morning without any hearing left! then you must visit the voodoo!! i don't work for them or gain any commission but, talking from experience, (and being thrown out) it is the best all night out in Auckland, trust me, you'll love it!!

P.S. just don't try and make out with the skeletons!

hi,

I like to make a day trip or maybe an overnight stay at a beach near auckland.

Can anyone advise if i should drive up to bay of islands of should i go to Waiheke island ? What is the difference between the two ? Which has good snorkelling , clear waters and nice sand ?

Where can i see strong surfs-waves or where can i find good coastal boardwalks ?

Or is there another beach/route that you will recommend so that i can take in most of the above?

Many thanks :)

Hi,

Can anyone comment on the similarities /differences between rotorua thermal reserve vs mt yellowstone park in the usa ? I have been to yellowstone park and am wondering if i should still pay rotorua's thermal reserve a visit, in particular waiotapu thermal wonderland.

Thanks for your comments.

I'll be visiting Auckland in September and am interested in doing a day tour out of the city, potentionally to Rotorua. However I noticed all the formal day tours seem rather expensive (>$200 USD). Is there a cheaper tour company someone can suggest? Are there other transportation options (other than the obvious rental car)?

Ny wife and I will be visiting Auckland in late Feb or early March. What would the eather be like at that time from a temperature and rain perspective? We like to do local and some touristy things. Can anyone suggest city and side trip actions to fill 7 to 10 days?

What is the chance of renting a studio apartment for a week?

Many thanks.

George

Good day. I will be travelling to Auckland around 20 Aug for business and wondering how's the weather and what kind of clothes should I be bringing?

I had planned to spend several months in Auckland working and living in a campervan. We had hoped to be able to stay in national parks or anywhere for free. But it seems that is not possible.

So I ask what is the cheapest way to stay in auckland with a campervan?

Do you have any tips or locations to stay?

Thank you!!

Hi can anyone suggest a good place to camp (with camper van)in or near Rotorua in August? I have checked several out on the internet and while they all seem fine, I have learned that things often are very different in person.

Also, I am picking the camper up at Auckland airport and heading to Rotorua as my first stop/night. Where is the best place to stop and stock up with supplies and food stuffs between pick up and stopping at camp for night?

Thank you

Steve

How long does it take to travel from Auckland to Whangarei and vice-versa?

HI
HOW TO GO TO ROTORUA FROM OHAKUNE? IT SEEMS THAT NAKEDBUS,AND CITYLINK HAS NO BUS SCEDHULE GOING TO ROTORUA FROM OHAKUNE...???

Does the Kingsgate have a hairdryer in each room? Are there tea/coffee facilities in the room and a bar fridge?

am plaining a travel to North Island and allmost evrything is ready ( am allways ready) i have a question and hope to get some help from you guys . i would like to know if they rent a cars ( tip jeep but not really covered ) i'll go with a friend of mine and want to show him the place as i have ben there once but years ago . thanks in advance .

Hello,

I am planning a trip to North Island in late June - early July. As it is winter, I am wondering what type of outdoor activities will be feasible to participate in?

Other than skiing, is it possible to hike in places such as Tongariro National Park and also to do water activities e.g. river rafting?

Do let me know what type of activites are available during this time...thanks for the information! =)

Just querying about distances and what to do.
Kelly tarltons - how far is this from the port where the ship is docked? is it walking distance or how much does a taxi cost?
Is there enough of interest to see around the port area?

Saturday August 2nd, meet for lunch probably at the Shepards Arms in Tinakori Road, Thorndon?

Any locals or visitors interested?

Recommendations for car rentals? Do you know anything about GoRentals or Jucy?
Thanks

Is this a good place to stay?

what are the activities available(describe and name).
And also cold you please (describe)the facilities available.
many thanks margaret.

We're flying to Auckland next month. We're staying 3 nights at the Best Western President Hotel before our cruise.

We need to get from:
International Airport to hotel
Hotel -- Sky Tower
Hotel -- Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World
Hotel -- Auckland's Dolphin & Whale Safari (Viaduct Harbour)
Hotel -- Shops
Hotel to Cruise terminal
Cruise terminal to International Airport

My mother is in a wheelchair so we can't use the bus. We'll probably use the Airport Express service to get to the hotel.

Approximately how much will a taxi cost for the other trips?

Is there anything interesting near the hotel? I'm hoping there are some cafes or take-out food within walking distance. Is Albert Park a nice spot for a picnic lunch?

Hi,i would like to know how far apart are these 2 addresses.
15 Thomas Peacock Place, Mt. Wellington and West Plaza building at corner of fanshawe and albert street

I was surprised to find we get a Saturday postal delivery in Wellington.
Does anyone know if post offices are open on Saturdays. Got something urgent to post and it would be a hassle to go out today and post it.

Thanks if you can help.

The Wellington Metlink site is quite good but i cannot find out where or how to buy a smartcard.

I have tried several corner stores and 24 hour convenience stores - no joy.

It is much cheaper to have a card and at the moment I have three 10 trip cards - for zones 1,2 and 3.

But like today I am going out to Eastbourne and that is zone 6 - which I would rarely go to so don't want to buy a 10 trip.

And how does a smart card work? Do you keep topping it up or what?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Hi - I am looking for a nice hotel, not too expensive, close to the Bluebridge Ferry for an 8am start, also local attractions.

We are keen to do the cable car. What else should we not miss, apart from Te Papa. We only have 2 days in Wellington.

Regards.

Is Wellington a tourist hotspot?
Is Wellington a place with masses of things to do?
Is Wellington impacted by the time of the year, Winter approacheth?

and I would probably want it near the railway station. I know there is Otaki Beach - but I am not sure how far away it is.

Can you help?

Thanks.

New to the forum but I've been reading lots of good info. Thanks!

I've got three weeks in NZ this coming Nov/Dec. The last week will be on the North Island and I want to do the Tongariro crossing mid-week. I'm trying to figure out where to stay the night before and and after. National Park the night before will get me to the trail earlier, but I was wondering if it would be easier to just stay two nights in Taupo?

Also, I'm trying to figure out what is a reasonable distance/time to drive after doing the crossing. If I stayed at National Park, about how long after finishing the crossing could I expect to be back in my car.

Thanks.

I arrive on a Tuesday morning at 5.45am.

I would love to go out and walk the cliffs at Makara again.

I have searched Metlink Wellington but it tells me there is no public transport out there.

Anyone know if there is a small local bus or something?

I have been searching the train site - metlink - and it seems - to my horror - that there are no trains from Wellington to Featherstone with bus link to Martinborough on the weekends!!! Can someone confirm this? Thanks.

... with my aged mother who is not terribly mobile.

We will be travelling by train and then bus from is it Featherstone? I'll have to check how all that works out.

Thing is we need a cheap place to stay close to the centre, as we have no car, and she can't walk far.
I am picking it would be cheaper mid week?

If you can help, great. And thanks.