Islands around Auckland new Zealand
Auckland Islands New Zealand21 Day North Island Road Trip - Auckland
Great new - You have a 3 weeks journey around the North Island of New Zealand from Auckland. It' easy to get to know your new rental vehicle after a pleasant walk in Auckland' s city centre, a visit to the viaduct and perhaps a morsel.
The way westwards through the outskirts and to the Waitakere Ranges is a great starting point. There are many paths through the luxuriant wood. The Auckland is a great place to enjoy the days and there is something for everyone.
When you need more inspirational ideas, have a look at our Top 5 Things in Auckland. If you' re just flying in or living in and around Auckland, the Drive North Up State Highway 1 has some great stops along the way, so take your leisure and make the most of some of these little unfamiliar belles.
From Auckland on SH1 it is only half an hour's drive. The Puhoi Valley Café and Cheese Store is a stopover if you want to try some cheeses. When you have the opportunity to stop in and around Warkworth, there are some great little vines in and around Matakana if you want to cover up for the week-end.
The Kawakawa is definitely a worthwhile stopover for the most extraordinary reasons - the state bath! It is only a brief journey from Kawakawa to your goal Paihia, the gate to the Bay of Islands. We hope you have come in good beforehand to get your orientation and make an exploration tour and to make a reservation for the next morning.
There is no doubt that the best way to discover the Bay of Islands is on the sea, so look at your choices and book an outing. The Bay of Islands is a great way to crush your canard if you've never seen the force of a jetboat before. When you' re travelling at breaksneck speed, the jetboat adventure will take you down to the depths to discover the variety of islands and take an exciting trip at the same one.
The most important historical site in New Zealand, where the Waitangi Agreement was concluded in 1840 - a Maori - Crown of Britain relationship and the New Zealand foundation documents. Visiting the contract home, take a look at the world's biggest ceremony warcanoe. New Zealand's Bay of Islands is one of the best areas for off-shore sea angling, so if you want to book a yacht rental and sail to the lowerlands.
Kingfish, marlin and snapper are the order of the day and if you succeed at the seas, each of the city's fishmongers and crispshops will serve your daily haul for about 50c. - a great end to the days. Head up to the northern end of the 90 miles of coastline and make a stop on the way up or back.
There are many things to do on the beach and on the ocean, from windsurfing on the surf to horse back rides on the sands. Today, after a full day's drive to the northernmost tip of New Zealand, it becomes a little more relaxed with less motoring and more sightseeing.
The Stone Store in Kerikeri is New Zealand's oldest edifice from 1836. It is an opportunity to take a look back into the past and from here you can also take a walk around New Zealand's oldest house, the 1822 wood mission house.
There are some great photography possibilities in the cascades and if you don't feel like a journey today, you can always jump onto a promenade that leads from Waitangi Treaty Grounds to the caves. Or a jetboat cruise to see the Hole in the Rock, today may be the time to take the Russell Island shuttle to make yourself comfortable.
I hope you have a busy 5-day excursion to the Bay of Islands - there is so much to see and do up here that folks keep leaving and wish they had more to do. When you' re not in a rush to get back to Auckland, it's a long way back to the big little town to explore the stunning Kauri forest in Waipoua.
You will find here the best conserved and biggest of the Kauri woods of New Zealand. There are another 232 km back to Auckland, which will take you just over 3 hrs, so make sure you allow enough for your workday. Featuring so much to see and do in Auckland, this is a great opportunity to get out and discover some of the things you may have failed to do on your first outing.
Though not an isle, the simplest way to get to Devonport from the town was by a 15-minute boat. It is a great place to stay on the promontory for a few hour or to take a stroll to Mount Victoria, the highest of the volcanoes on the north coast, with a wide choice of cafés and inns.
Rangkitoto is the youngest of the 50 volcanos in and around Auckland and there are daily ferry services to the isle. It is probably the most popular cruise for the GO Rentals crews as there is so much to do on Waiheke. It is very well connected and has all the facilities you would expect onshore.
See, we were telling you it was rewarding! Return to a crossroads northbound on SH1 and take the turnoff to suburban train to Thames. Soak up the ambience, as well as the many craft centers where you can choose from various craftsmen' s shops to purchase beautiful handmade potteries, woodcarvings or paintings.
From Tairua to Whitianga the next section is very undulating and very windswept, so be careful while driving while enjoying some of the breathtaking vistas - there are frequent viewpoints along the way, so take your sweetest moments, especially if you've never been so. If you are looking for a restful vacation on the beaches or something more adventure, there is a lot to do, no matter on which side of the penninsula you have settled.
About 30 min from Whitianga, for an hours at low and high tides, it is possible to sink into a small swimming bath - if you pedal your feet enough, you might even think you are in a whirlpool! It is great pleasure in summers or winters and you can rent a spade or most of the accommodation in and around Whitianga can help you.
It is small and takes a little walk, but what you will find is an example of New Zealand's truly untouched and unspoilt nature. A number of travel agencies offer a scenic cruise to the ocean caverns and lofty rocks of the Te-Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve.
Take the boat to the pier and then drive around Maramaratotara Bay towards Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve. At low water it is possible to reach the stroll from the shore or at low water from the roads. You' ll have seen them all before, but if you've never been courageous enough to try, now may be the moment to crack your canard.
Boating bananas takes you to Mercury Bay and speeds you up while you take care of your own lives - a swim in the sea is a common end to one of these excursions, but the sea is beautiful and hot in summers, so you should have it. This is a magnificent woodland with New Zealand's oldest and most popular tree, the Kawir.
This is a 30-minute drive back over footpaths and jetties - a fairly quiet stroll, but a good opportunity to see some of New Zealand's oldest tree life if you haven't had a good time. When you leave the Waihi Penninsula, visit the stunning Martha's Mine in Waihi.
Do a goldmining expedition and find out more about this important part of New Zealand's riches. Please take some extra patience to find out more about the story of the mine, as there won't be many other ways to do so during the journey. Prior to leaving Putaruru, you' ll be visiting the internationally renowned Blaue Quelle with its crystalline water.
Bag a picknick and drive along the Te Waihou Walkway to the source. This hike lasts about 1.5 hrs each way and leads through hilly farmlands, New Zealand scrub and even through some falls. Obligatory cascade picture taken, it's to drive further southwards. You have reached New Zealand's hot springs marvel.
If you want breathtaking Maori cultural experiences you won't find anywhere else, come to Te Puia (about five min from the city centre). Ensure that you are attending the Maori cultural show in the Marae (at the entrance) and also the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute inside.
Right, that's enough to walk around, it's primo season for some adrenalin. Drive to Zorb (149 Western Road in Rotorua), another GO play associate, for a few moments of adrenaline-filled thrill. Caterpillar Experience will be another one of those places you probably won't find anywhere else.
It' relaxing now. We recommend that you take a few hours before leaving Rotorua to enjoy the Polynesian Spa, which has been chosen as one of the best spa in the game. The city of Rotorua really is passing on with many more GOP Play partner in and around this geothermic marvel.
The Lake Taupo itself is quite spectacular and not far from the township, along the Desert Road, you will see Mount Ruapehu (Mount Doom for you Lord of the Rings Fans) and its neighboring (and just as impressive) lamcra. While the desert road itself is a worthwhile trip, the landscape is nowhere else to be found (alpine desert like these are a rarity somewhere in the world), so take the opportunity to enjoy the view.
You can enjoy breathtaking view from 13,000 ft above sea level. Then after a restful rest it' s skating season and drive across the eastern side to Napier - the wine-growing centre of the North Island and a place where the sun normally shines.
It is a beautiful descent with many small towns along the way if you want to try Kiviwiana or just a bit of the leg - but the major highlight of the days is in Napier. To do with so much in Napier, hopefully you have just got here in order to pack everything in one of the days (and the next mornings - shhh!).
With a magnificent panorama view of the ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru Ranges and Cape Kidnappers, whether by bicycle, on foot or by car to the top of Te Mata, the journey is worthwhile. When you' re an early bird, try climbing up to Te Mata Peak at dawn - we did it once and it was amazing!
In Napier, after a cosy breakfast, perhaps during the Marine Parade exploration, it's off to Wellington. Many animals live here, among them the only captive kiwifruit in the whole wide open space, the Manukura and the Turua, a North Island of Brown kiwis.
Though it is a small side trip from the major road to Wellington, Martinborough is definitely a sight for siesta. Since we will be in Wellington all morning, this is a good call for supper, as it is only a brief ride to your rest area for the evening.
To get the best view over the town and Port Nicholson to Hutt Valley, drive to the viewpoint at Mt Victoria. In 1877 the historical gun on the top was set up and shot every single night as a sign of many years. When you have some free space, we recommend a trip to the Weta workshop in the Miramar area.
Carterton is a great stop on the way to Whanganui in the direction of the city. Out of Carterton take Park Road and continue following the signposts to Stonehenge Aotearoa to see a Stonehenge mock-up on the Wairarapa Heights.
There' s a lot to see in Whanganui and that makes a great stopover on the way up from Wellington, about halfway between New Plymouth and the state. When you feel particularly well, you can also try to drive your quickest distance here, exactly where Snell did it in front of 13,000 of you.
When you have enough of it, it is good to climb the New Zealand longest river, which was an important way of transportation for the early settlemen. A favorite activity of ours is the bridge to nowhere, which was constructed in early 1936 and left in 1942 without ever really going anywhere.
Just 2hrs drive ahead of you, you can unwind and stop at sights along the way, some of which are small chunks of New Zealand powder! Taranaki Patea is known in New Zealand for one thing - the Maori Poi-E smash.
If you can get one of the natives to do it for you if you've never even listened to it before, it's an immediate hit and it' s been spending a great deal of your life in the 80' s. Otherwise the city has a wealth of Maori and a sense of Europe and it is therefore definitely a worthwhile stop on the way.
Hawera processes around 13 million liters of dairy products every single working day. This is a great deal of calcium and one of the great rides alongside the Hawera museums. It' possible to ascend to the top of the watertower and the view from there is breathtaking.
In Stratford is also New Zealand's only bell-tower that is a venue for Romeo and Juliet music. You may be quite early when you arrive in New Plymouth, but you will also have plenty of early hours to do so. The New Plymouth Mountains are a landmark in full blossom and the surrounding park is a great place for a walk in the town.
Near New Plymouth is Mt Taranaki in Egmont National Park, a great place to discover with some great hiking paths. There are also great vistas of Mt Taranaki, so be sure to take your cameras with you. Although NZ Surfest does not take place, a visit to Fitzroy beaches is still a worthwhile way to see the local people in action. Here are some of the best places to visit.
There' are some great stores in town where you can have an easy afternoons. And to round it all off, there are some great places to eat, so you can enjoy a tasty dinner and think about a hopefully awesome journey later on. The Waitara and Urenui are great places to stop at the beginning of this journey to Raglan.
There is a lot to do here, from whitewater river racing and river bridges to a little more culture and the historical Manukorihi Pa, the place of a contemporary Maori settlement with a splendid Maori meeting place. Hope you got it right for dinner - Weisebait is a specialty around these parts, so make sure you try.
We are not sure about you, but we can't imagine anything more to do with New Zealand than shepherds! When you are in and around this area at this season, you should make a stopover and experience some crazy work. Well-known as New Zealand's roses capitol, November to April is a great season to come to Te Awamutu and enjoy the wonderful blooming flower.
Many of the natives are Czech people looking for a lasting way of living, so an excursion to one of the cafés or pubs is certainly an eye-catcher when you chat with the natives - maybe you don't want to have to!
Well, the last of this journey has come, but what a nice place to awaken. It is a great place to be the first to discover in the mornings and is often a beehive of activities with windsurfers on their way to capture a surf and in the mornings jogger and hiker to take in the wonderful sun.
Today we have given you a relatively brief trip back to Auckland, so you should have enough free coffee from one of the locals' cafés to spend the last mornings of your vacation, according to when your vehicle returns.