Lauren
03-03-2009, 11:43 PM
I moved the discussion about things to do in NZ to the NZ thread so we dont bore the Aussies to tears
Im going to list my top things to do in the places Kim is going to visit - but Im sure other Kiwis have other ideas and between us Im sure we can make sure Kim gets the best possible trip.
Firstly - Bay Of Islands.
I dont know if you are staying in Paihia Russell or Keri Keri but if you are in Paihia the ferry trip across to Russell is really nice - walk along the waterfront and visit Pompallier House - My uncle was part of the crew who renovated this house . It had been " renovated" by the Victorians from its original French Mudbrick style - They worked very hard to get it back to its original style and its very interesting to visit and quite pretty just to look at with nice gardens even if you dont go in it.
You have to really do a cruise around the harbour - that is really the essence of the Bay of Islands .
Ive done several - the Cream trip recreates the trip of the mail boat ( which also collected milk and cream from the farms on the islands ) and the hole in the rock trip which takes you right out into the harbour and through a hole in a large rock ( hence the name)
We did a trip one year which was an evening cruise which went up the river to Keri Keri and included dinner - it was very nice as well.
Rotorua - you really have to do one of the geothermal parks in the Rotorua region - there are quite a few and they are all a little different.
Waiomaungu and waiotapu are on the road to Taupo - Waiotapu has a geyser which plays daily and from memory both have small boat cruises.
There is also Whakarewarewa which is partially a thermal park area but also includes cultural attraction - being run by the local Maori trible - I havent been there for a long time - I heard its a little commercial but not sure on that.
Ive heard that the Tamaki brothers Maori village evenings are very good indeed - they include a hangi( Maori traditional meal where food is cooked underground) and cultural displays - I havent done that myself though) .
The Agrodome has a show based around sheep - sounds weird but its very entertaining indeed.
You can also try out a zorb near the agrodome.
In Taupo you cant miss Huka Falls - thats on the way in to town - these are very fast running falls and quite beautiful.
You can do a jet boat trip up to the foot of the falls . There is also a prawn farm there ( they use the geothermal water ) - havent been myself so no idea what thats like.
Craters of teh Moon is a geothermal park which used to be free entry - its very interesting to walk around - lots of steam and boiling water coming from the ground.
At Waitomo there are various companies doing cave tours.
We did one called Spellbound a couple of years ago - it wasnt the main caves but took you away to a farm and to 2 separate cave areas - one wet where you go by boat and see the glowworms - and one dry cave with various limestone cave architectures - It was great and much more personalised than the main cave trip but I personally think the main caves are more impressive . The Aranui cave is supposed to be the most spectacular of all of them . You can do black water rafting and tubing at waitomo as well.
Im going to list my top things to do in the places Kim is going to visit - but Im sure other Kiwis have other ideas and between us Im sure we can make sure Kim gets the best possible trip.
Firstly - Bay Of Islands.
I dont know if you are staying in Paihia Russell or Keri Keri but if you are in Paihia the ferry trip across to Russell is really nice - walk along the waterfront and visit Pompallier House - My uncle was part of the crew who renovated this house . It had been " renovated" by the Victorians from its original French Mudbrick style - They worked very hard to get it back to its original style and its very interesting to visit and quite pretty just to look at with nice gardens even if you dont go in it.
You have to really do a cruise around the harbour - that is really the essence of the Bay of Islands .
Ive done several - the Cream trip recreates the trip of the mail boat ( which also collected milk and cream from the farms on the islands ) and the hole in the rock trip which takes you right out into the harbour and through a hole in a large rock ( hence the name)
We did a trip one year which was an evening cruise which went up the river to Keri Keri and included dinner - it was very nice as well.
Rotorua - you really have to do one of the geothermal parks in the Rotorua region - there are quite a few and they are all a little different.
Waiomaungu and waiotapu are on the road to Taupo - Waiotapu has a geyser which plays daily and from memory both have small boat cruises.
There is also Whakarewarewa which is partially a thermal park area but also includes cultural attraction - being run by the local Maori trible - I havent been there for a long time - I heard its a little commercial but not sure on that.
Ive heard that the Tamaki brothers Maori village evenings are very good indeed - they include a hangi( Maori traditional meal where food is cooked underground) and cultural displays - I havent done that myself though) .
The Agrodome has a show based around sheep - sounds weird but its very entertaining indeed.
You can also try out a zorb near the agrodome.
In Taupo you cant miss Huka Falls - thats on the way in to town - these are very fast running falls and quite beautiful.
You can do a jet boat trip up to the foot of the falls . There is also a prawn farm there ( they use the geothermal water ) - havent been myself so no idea what thats like.
Craters of teh Moon is a geothermal park which used to be free entry - its very interesting to walk around - lots of steam and boiling water coming from the ground.
At Waitomo there are various companies doing cave tours.
We did one called Spellbound a couple of years ago - it wasnt the main caves but took you away to a farm and to 2 separate cave areas - one wet where you go by boat and see the glowworms - and one dry cave with various limestone cave architectures - It was great and much more personalised than the main cave trip but I personally think the main caves are more impressive . The Aranui cave is supposed to be the most spectacular of all of them . You can do black water rafting and tubing at waitomo as well.