Kiwi Forumites - I will have 2 weeks in N. Island - where do I go ?

Well theres lots to see but Waitomo caves, Rootaroa and Taupo are amongst the best Wellington is great too.

Youll have a great time

Hi Willie, You have timed your message just right - I live in Wellington and got back from Perth two days ago. A MM will be on its way to you shortly.

Well I would have said head to the South Island but as you are going to do that next trip allow at least 3 weeks to do it and see most of it..
In the North Napier is different with its 1930's Art deco buildings.
Waitangi and the Bay of islands are rather beautiful. Also around the Coromandel.

Auckland is just another city and not a very nice one at that especially the southern part. They dont have roller doors on the shop fronts for decoration.

The central part of the island is different with the Thermal regions at Rotorua and Wairakei. You can drive up Mt Ruapehu and go for a walk up to the crater lake (Quite a long walk)

Wellington is quite a nice city except its windy city name is well earned.
The cable car and the drives around the harbour are nice.

New Plymouth and Stratford are apparently nice towns ( the only two I havent been to)

Google New Zealand Tourism and see what you get there are quite a few sites promoting the country.

Afraid I'm biased as I come from Dunedin, home of the Albatross colony, Larnachs Castle and the steepest street in the world.

I also spent 5 years as a tourist guide on the Milford Walking Track and lived in Milford Sound for that time. Best years of my life.

Whilst the North Isalnd has its own attractions there is much more interesting and varied scenery in the South IMHO of course

Hi Willy
I know I am totally biased but why would you want to spend a fortnight in the North Island?
I presume you will be flying into Auckland, most of the rest of NZ add a "D" to that. Allow a day to get out of there and another to get back in again.
Northland has a lot to see.Kauri forests / museums, beaches coves warm and wet. the problem is you will have to go back through Auckland again to see some of the rest.( Why anyone would build a city on an Isthmus and then expect the rest of the country to pay for there roading woes. beats me.)
There are all the well known Tourist Attractions but if you prefer to see other sights my suggestions would be to go South to Hamilton and out to Raglan, Whale Bay, etc. follow the coast south go round right round Mt Egmont then inland to Taupo. Down to Wellington, back up over the Watakeries and up towards Gisborne, options from there follow the coast Hicks Bay etc, over the Gentle Annie back to Taupo, or through Waikarermoana to Rotorua or head out towards Tauranga, Go up to the Corromandel Peninsula dig a hole in the sand at Hot Water Beach. Some great Kauri trees there to
Other alternative join the Toursts and go to all the Tourist Spots!
Have a good time
Cheers
Russ

Bay of islands is great for hiring a boat to go game fishing...you can also do a cruise out to the hole in rock if you dont see it when you go game fishing

but waitomo, all around the centre (thermal areas) and out to the east and west coasts also great sightseeing areas....have'nt been up the coromandel but a kiwi lass i know lives there & swears by it

just wait till you get to the South Island..its even better

Willie,

If you find yourself anywhere near Porirua, just north of Wellington, pop into the Cannons Creek Tavern.

Real Kiwi Kulture......on tap.

This place makes 'Once Were Warriors' look like Play School.....lol.

Cheers.....Lionel.

Hi Willie,

I moved over here when I was 11 but have very fond memories of family holidays camping on the east coast Opononi, Kaitaia, Paihia, Whangarei, Coromandel, Whakatane, Opitiki, Gisborne, Wairoa always great fishing especially beach fishing for Kawhai (Aust Salmon) and rock fishing for Pakate (wrasse) and Parore (black fish) (spelling ??)
It was good to get away from home in Otara, South Auckland which had a nick name of Tin City because of the roller doors on every shop.
I would also suggest a visit to a Marai (meeting house) of a local family/tribe and you can't go past a traditional Hangi meal.

Cheers Michael

A tour of the Glow Worm Caves is a Must See

Having done a 2 1/2 week drive around the North island in May, we found the following tips helpful:

- Either Choose to go North of Auckland or South. We started off by heading north to the Bay of Plenty, and found it not that spectacular for us (we hang out in The Whitsundays so are a tad spoilt :-)) though the historical nature of places such as Waitangi was interesting. A quick change of plans (also due to weather) and we enjoyed some other areas south of Auckland much more than we expected.

- There is no such thing as a straight road in NZ :-) Expect to take much longer in areas to get somewhere, though the upshot is that it is generally more spectacular due to this.

- Travel to the weather. We made our itinerary flexible (actually didnt have one, just heaps of time to enjoy ourselves), which meant that we could work out what the weather was like in an area and either avoid it or use it to our advantage. Some areas just dont work when miserable, whilst others were brilliant.

- Don't mention pavlova's, the All-blacks (and/or Robbie Deans), or their economy :-)

We enjoyed areas such as (helicopter flight around) Mt Ruapehu, Taupo, the drive along Waioeka Road, and many little townships encountered off the beaten track only found by having the time to detour down these dead-end roads.

Andrew