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| Friday, 10 September, 2010 |
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Rotorua/Taupo area Horopito Motor Wreckers, 14km north of Raetihi on SH4   Tongariro National Park Mt Ngauruhoe can be climbed in summer (and winter by experienced mountaineers) but it is a one step up, two steps back climb as you scrabble up the mountain's scoria slope. (Climb carefully to avoid sending scoria flying and injuring people climbing below). Don't ever underestimate how quick the weather can change on a mountain. One moment we were enjoying the views and sun on the summit and literally seconds later the temperature dropped and clouds closed in causing us to descend quicker than planned.   Please always check current track conditions and weather before you set out on any tramping trip, wear appropriate footwear, take warm and waterproof clothing, food, water, sunscreen etc. Please be prepared and treat New Zealand's landscapes with respect, many people get into difficulty each year in national parks, don't end your holiday as a statistic. For up to date information and conditions visit the Information Centre in Whakapapa village or DOC offices in Ohakune or Turangi. Bayview Chateau Tongariro    Rotorua (Rotovegas to some of the locals and to the Hell pizza chain) www.rotoruanz.com i-SITE Visitor Centre 1167 Fenton Street There are many natural and man made sights and activities to experience in Rotorua - no visit to New Zealand would be complete without spending a few days here. Roll down a hill in a water filled balloon (www.zorb.co.nz), take a twilight tour of Tamaki Maori Village and a gondola and luge ride at Skyline Skyrides. The Agrodome (www.agrodome.co.nz) will be enjoyed by kids big and small who love farm animals and want to learn more than they will ever need to know about sheep.   If the sights of Vegas get too crowded there is a good holiday park opposite the Blue Lake on the outskirts of town - www.bluelaketop10.co.nz. If you would like a night in a boutique hotel in the central city check out Princes Gate Hotel at 1057 Arawa Street. To get a good deal at this four star plus hotel check the rates at www.wotif.com, Classic Rooms can be booked for as low as $89 plus the wotif booking fee.   Espresso & Chocolataire, 1174 Whakaue Street Nibble on hand made chocolates or enjoy a generous cup of hot Belgian chocolate ($4.50) in the elegant lounge area. Open 7 days from 10am. (To find more chocolate shops around the country click here). If you want a main meal before dessert walk around the corner to Eat Streat (lake end of Tutanekai Street) which has been closed to traffic so that locals and visitors can enjoy streetside dining and entertainment.    Fat Dog Café, 1161 Arawa Street www.fatdogcafe.co.nz A laid back cafe with a big menu and bright décor. The $9 lunch specials are good value or you could check out the $10 lunch special at Fat Dog To Go next door. Currently (January 2010) on display (and for sale) is very reasonably priced NZ landscape photography by Gene Glover. If you dine at the Fat Dog and also intend to go to Te Puia, ask about the discount for dining.  FREE Geothermal Spills Kuirau Park, Ranolf Street/Lake Road, central city Rotorua See thermal spills for free at Kuirau geothermal park. Stay on the walking track and board walk and heed the warning signs - there's a whole lot of hot activity here. There are also a couple of mineral pools suitable for soaking your feet.    Wai-O-Tapu Mud Pools, State Highway 1 toward Taupo Turn left at Waiotapu Hotel on State Highway 1, drive a few hundred metres and turn left again to see mud pools in action free of charge. Get out your wallet if you want to visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (www.geyserland.co.nz) a bit further up the road. Lakeside Concert www.lakesideconcert.co.nz Rotorua hosts a free, annual lakeside concert in late January, visit the website or the i-SITE for details. There are also free concerts at the Rotunda in the Government Gardens every Sunday at 1pm (7 February - 28 March). Polynesian Spa, Government Gardens www.polynesianspa.co.nz This hot pool and spa complex is well worth relaxing in but there has been a hike in the entrance fee, it's now $20 for adults. (January 2010)  Reading material - The Rotorua Public Library, 1127 Haupapa Street has a bookshelf of ex library books that can be purchased by donation. You can also visit the book sale on the first and third Saturday of each month in the Tea Kiosk at Kuirau Park.
New Zealand's largest lake dominates Taupo and allows plenty of water based activities like trout fishing, kayaking, scenic boat tours, water skiing and parasailing. Kiwis love their boats and in summer they arrive en masse particularly during the Christmas/New Year holiday break and long weekends. Golfers can try their luck on the lake front at the Lake Taupo Hole In One Challenge, if success is yours you take away $10,000.   To get another perspective of the lake you could take a scenic flight or if you're a thrill seeker throw yourself out of a plane. As well as being a scenically stunning area to do a sky dive Taupo is also one of (if not the) cheapest place to get your skydive adrenalin rush in NZ.  Bungy Jumping, 202 Spa Road www.taupobungy.co.nz If you want to take Van Halen's advice to go ahead and jump you can do it 43 metres above the Waikato River. Jump solo for $109 and jump as a couple for $218. If you think you might as well jump again it'll cost you $55. If you jump on your birthday you get a free DVD for your bravery and if you are 65 and over, are a New Zealand resident and take ID to prove it, you can jump for free, phone 0800 888 408 to ask what *conditions apply*. A new addition to the jumping menu is the Taupo Cliffhanger - NZ's extreme swing. Check out the website for more information.   DeBrett's Spa Resort, Napier Taupo Highway (look out for the Hilton Lake Taupo) www.debrettsresort.co.nz We can recommend camping at DeBretts, facilities are modern and clean, sites are hedged for privacy and you get a discount of $5 to relax in the hot pool complex. If you want to stay a third weekend night for half price, ie. stay Friday and Saturday and get a 50% discount for Sunday night (not available public and school holidays) visit the Book-a-Deal section on the website for this and other special offers.   Drag Racing/Car Racing, Taupo Check out www.tauporacetrack.co.nz for a list of events.   www.larte.co.nz Visit for breakfast or lunch and admire the mosaics and sculpture garden. Art work is for sale in the cafe and in a small gallery onsite. L'Arte is about 30 minutes drive from Taupo town centre and we think it's well worth the detour for the food and the art work. Open Wednesday - Sunday, 9am-4pm.   |
North Island
Auckland Bay of Islands/Northland Coromandel/Tauranga Hamilton/Waikato Hawkes Bay/Gisborne Manawatu/Wanganui New Plymouth/Taranaki Rotorua/Taupo Wellington south island
Blenheim/Picton/Nelson |