North Island Travel Forum

Hi everyone,

Hubby and I are planning a trip for the last week in Feb & into March next year and would appreciate any advice and tips on the following itinerary we have planned.
We don't want to rush from place to place and can include a few extra days if you think we are missing anything.
We are planning on hiring a car at Auckland airport & doing a self-drive tour, dropping it off at Wellington airport.

Day 1 - Arrive Auckland from Sydney
Day 2/3 - Auckland: whale/Dolphin Safari, Museum, Aquarium & Skytower
Day 4 - Rangitoo Island then free time wandering the city
Day 5 - Travel to Hobbiton for tour, continue on to Waitamo caves stopping at Kiwi house at Otorohanga before booking in to accommodation.
Day 6 - Cave Tours and travel to Rotorua
Day 7 - Rotorua: Whakarewarewa village & Hells Gate
Day 8 - Drive to Whakatane for White Island Volcano Tour, back to Rotorua Accomodation.
Day 9 - Rotorua:buried village Te Wairoa & rainbow springs kiwi village. Maybe Te Puia (not sure if it will be too much thermal stuff considering we are doing thermal stuff on day 11 as well)
Day 10 - Kuirau Park, perhaps the Redwood Memorial Grove Walking Track, paradise valley wildlife park and end day with Tamaki Maori Village hungai dinner.
Day 11 - Drive to Lake Taupo stopping at two places along the way:Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland and Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park
Day 12 - Taupo: Huka Falls, Wairakei Tourist Park, Mine Bay rock carving
Day 13 - Drive to Wellington down through Turangi, Waiouru - I believe it is Motorway 1. Looks to be the most direct route but not sure where to stop along the way for rests.
Day 14 - Wellington:Te Papa museum. From my research it appears a full day is needed to see everything.
Day 15 - Wellington: Karori Sanctuary, Cable Car
Day 16 - sealcoast safari, rest of day free to wander
Day 17 - Zoo
Day 18 - Fly back to Sydney

My main question is have I left enough time to see each place before moving on to the next?
Will stay at motels, but thought an apartment with laundry would be better at Rotorua so we can wash our clothes & leave to dry while out (better than wasting time at Laundrymats).

Thanks so much for any advice you have to offer.

Can you please advise the best way to travel from Wellington airport to Westpac stadium. Is it best to go by road or water? Is there a motel near the stadium?

Thanks

however, from what I read
From Mangatepopo Rd end to Mangatepopo Hut is 15 mins
From Mangatepopo Hut to Mangatepopo Saddle is 1 ½ hr
From Mangatepopo saddle to Emerald Lake is 2 hrs


it maybe just too much for us, also we have no idea if the hiking is steep or it is flat, it may take more than 4 hrs to get there and there is no way we can just get it back, is there acompodation somewhere in saddle area?

we will get to auckland around 8AM and by the time we got through the security get our luggage and car, it will be maybe 10AM, we would like to go south of auckland first. but would like to get some groceries .... what is the good and closest grocery store near airport?
I checked in yellowpage online but not sure if they are good or not

Landora's Grocery Store
Pacific Merchant
Punjas (NZ) Ltd

Hi - I asking this for a friend who just moved to Hastings, New Zealand. She want to buy air tickets from Auckland to Nepal. Is there a website like Expedia that caters to New Zealand locals? Or can you provide info on some local travel agents? For some reason, if you search for tickets on Expedia or Travelocity, the fares are coming out to be USD 5K which is ridiculous.

Thanks!!

Hello! We will arrive in Bay of Islands by Princess Cruise Ship. We would like to not book an excursion through the cruise line. How do we get from the cruise docking area to Paihia? thank you!

Hello, will be arriving in Auckland on Tuesday 5 October staying the night at the Rendevouz Hotel in Auckland, catching a bus at 8.00am following morning to Taupo. Does anyone know where we can get a good breakfast before catching the bus. Also on our return will be staying in Auckland on Monday 19 before flying out that evening. Are there still good fish and chip shops in K Road? Many years since I lived in Auckland, but would love to know where to get some decent fish and chips - kawahi, snapper, terakihi, grouper etc. (My maori spelling is way out of touch) Many thanks for your help.

Planning to visit Auckland İn January for 4 days.
Need advice for what to see.
Because of lefthand traffic we will not have a car.

Interested to see what we cannot see in Europe or USA.
Have seen some vulcanoes ,so only active are of interest to us.

In case South island is more interesting please advise ,we could change the destination to Christchurch or other.

My partner and I are heading to NZ on a cruise and will be in Auckland on Christmas day 09. This is our first trip.
I really wanted to go to a hangi for Chrissie lunch - so far, my research is yielding no results. Does anyone have any tips of where to search, who to contact - or indeed know of any?
Basically that is first preference for our Christmas. Second preference is anything fun that does not involve sitting on the boat for the day!
Thanks

Hi everyone,

Is there a bike trail in or near Auckland? We're looking for an easy trail that would be good for a leisurely Sunday morning bike ride.

Hey,

I’m arriving in New Zealand with two friends at the start of November and can’t wait! We are all going on working holiday visas and was wondering what is the best way of finding employment? We are arriving in Auckland and hoping to travel around! Any suggestions on good hostels, places to go, things to do would be much appreciated. Also anyone in New Zealand during this time that wants to meet up or travel some of the way with us would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance for any info,

Emma

Can anyone tell me the distance in km and time from Auckland airport to Takapuna Beach, by car and also the price for a taxi.
Thank you
from Tilleke - Belgium

Hi-We will be arriving in Auckland in October and staying for a month.
1) Where in Auckland should we shop for car travel stuff, such as a chilly bin, ice packs, a few items for cooking and eating such as plates, flatware, pots, and so forth? We would like to buy inexpensively, or resale. Is there a resale shop for travelers (there's a business idea) where travel/camping gear etc. can be recycled?
2)Does anyone have experience with car rentals at AKL? Is there any advantage to having a reservation vs just showing up? I am concerned that using some of the web based reservation services, that they don't seem to know about the ferry swap off in Wellington/Picton. If I reserve ahead, will I wind up paying more anyhow, in fees for the switch?
Thank you so very much. Can't wait to get back to NZ (it's been 32 years!!)

Hi, I shall be arriving by cruise ship in Tauranga later this year, spending just the day there, however I would like to visit some of the attractions at Rotorua, ie: Whaka, how do I get from Tauranga to Whaka by bus?, allowing enough time to see the attraction and return to Tauranga to board the ship later that same day. thank you.

Hi,

heard from a friend about the farm land which used to be the filming site of LOTR. Understand that some simple structures and the hobbit holes are still there. Saw some pix on the web. I have two questions:

1) Is it worthwhile to take the detour off the SH 1? I am heading back from Rotorua to Auckland.

2) Some said that its pte property and I must join an organised tour. Is it true?

Thanks.

Hi there, my partner and I are travelling to Rotorua from Auckland and will have a night and full day to explore before leaving for Wellington. We will also have a car and we are trying to find the best way to spend our time? Does anyone have any recommendations or itineraries for that short time?

Thanks!

This is self serving, but due to an airline booking error for an upcoming trip from LAX to Auckland I have to choose between a Business Class booking on Qantas via Melbourne with a First Class return, and/or a First Class booking on Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong. Obviously, Hong Kong adds several (10?) hours to the itinerary - Have any of you flown either or both? If you have experience with either I'd appreciate your observations. Gosh...I don't have to decide until, uhmmm Monday. No pressure there.
Thank you!

Are these a safe deal? We didn't get a refund after we were forced to cancel a booking with one outfit? Since the company is not responsive, is there some other body (other than the Disputes Tribunal or Fair Go?), that we could approach?

Does any1 know where you can buy lonely planet/rough guides in auckland?

thanks

Anyone who knows the average water temp in the farth northern parts of Northland (as well as the Bay of Isands) in the NZ summer? Problems with sharks etc?

Best
Frederik

What's the normal water temp in the Bay of Islands in the (NZ) summer?

Hi, I am arriving 1045am in Auckland in mid Sept. Intending to fly domestic on Air NZ to Christchurch on a 1pm flight. Is it too rush? Cos the next flight is 340pm which is a long wait.

Hi everyone,

I received some great advice from you all last time I posted. I am coming to Auckland for a week in Septemeber with my 12 year old daughter and have decided to stay in a serviced apartment in the city. I will be catching the link bus out to Ponsonby daily so am considering renting an apartment in the Altitude Building in Kingston St near the Sky Tower, the cost is $599nz for the week. Can anyone tell me if this is a good choice for location and safety? Or any other suggestions for a serviced apartment that would be around that price or better still cheaper but still in the city centre close to the bus?

I appreciate any help you can give.
Regards, Michele

I have to be at the SCHOOL, Auckland University, 22 Princes Street next Friday to sit for an exam. I am not familiar with Auckland at all, so will appreciate your help with direction, etc.

I notice that one of the airbus' destination is Auckland University.

Question: Is this destination anywhere new the SCHOOL, Auckland University, 22 Princes Street?

Thanks, hear from you soon.

Sitting for CBAP exam

Hello everybody,

I will be travelling with a child, age 7, to Auckland 4-12 of August, I should be staying in the North Shore.

Till the 9 of August I will might have 3-4 hours free during the day

And 10-11 full days…

What would you suggest to see? Where to go?

Do I need to rent a car or I can use public transport?

Thank you very much

Hi all,

I am picking up my rental vehicle at Hertz on Victoria Street. Is this coveniently located? What are the hotels or service apartments (at least 4-5 stars) that are within walking distance from Hertz? I would like to book one nearby as I am only staying for a night before pick up early next morning. Don't want to spend too much time travelling. Thanks.

Hello, does anyone have any info or experience with the Ohane Stream Hot Springs ?
They have been rated as the best at http://www.nzhotpools.co.nz/ but I cannot find any photos or info.

Hu everyone,
My eldest daughter lives on Ponsonby Rd in Ponsonby Auckland and is expecting her first child in Sep'09. I live in Melbourne Australia and will be travelling over for a week with my 12 year old daughter when the baby comes. Can anyone recommend somewhere inexpensive to stay for a week? Unfortunately my daughter and her husband live in a tiny loft and can't accomodate us. I won't have a car so somewhere in Ponsonby would be good otherwise if we stayed in the City Central Hotel on the corner of Albert & Wellesley Sts in Auckland is there a bus that would take us to and fro to Ponsonby? Or any other suggestions on where we could stay that doesn't cost the earth but from where we could get to Ponsonby easily? I appreciate any advice and help that you can give me. Regards,
Michele.

Hi,
Is it too late to do the Tongariro Alpine crossing in mid-May? Would it be covered with snow by then and the great views gone?

Thanks

coming to NZ on APril 29th and wondering which ATM to get the $$Kiwi from
I will have a Visa Debit Card OR can do with Cirrus Card.. Any help appreciated.. Thanks fellow travellers..
My fin. instution here told me today the fee to get cash is 2 per cent of the value of currency PLUS AUD4.00 per transaction.. wooooo