Itinerary for AKL Self Drive Tour Nov 2020

[knagelli]

We are planning to do a short road trip from Auckland to surrounds from 30 Oct - 4 Nov. Will be flying in from Mel .

Below is the list of activities we want to do :

30 Oct - Arrive Auckland and Explore
31 Oct - Drive to Taupo via Waitomo caves
1 Nov - Drive to Rotorua, visit Huka falls and Wai o Tupo on the way.
2 Nov - Explore Rotorua
3 Nov - Drive to Napier and Explore
4 Nov - Explore Napier , fly back to Mel

We wanted to do more time but since we have limited time , does this even look reasonable as NZ is a beautiful country and we want to explore all the places. It will be with our 4 yrd old son so want to make sure it will be comfortable for him.

Appreciate suggestions/tips will be helpful.

 

[Dr Ralph]

All doable time wise from what I an see.

Do be aware that NZ road are a lot slower to travel on compared to Australia.

 

[Denali]

About 45mins from Auckland airport is Hunua falls. Super easy walk from the carpark, a good quick photo op on the way.

Your son might enjoy seeing the mud pools in Rotorua park but please be careful, when we were last there a child had fallen in and had to be air-vac. They are fenced but kids are nijas

 

[RB]

We really enjoyed seeing the Huka Falls. Thought the Mt Haszard Hiking Trail in the Waimangu Valley was well worth the time. Good luck with the winds/smell when you are in Rotarua.
I always suggest a visit to Hot Water Beach-something for a 4yr old to try & understand

 

[Deleted member]

We are planning to do a short road trip from Auckland to surrounds from 30 Oct - 4 Nov. Will be flying in from Mel .

Below is the list of activities we want to do :

30 Oct - Arrive Auckland and Explore
31 Oct - Drive to Taupo via Waitomo caves
1 Nov - Drive to Rotorua, visit Huka falls and Wai o Tupo on the way.
2 Nov - Explore Rotorua
3 Nov - Drive to Napier and Explore
4 Nov - Explore Napier , fly back to Mel

We wanted to do more time but since we have limited time , does this even look reasonable as NZ is a beautiful country and we want to explore all the places. It will be with our 4 yrd old son so want to make sure it will be comfortable for him.

Appreciate suggestions/tips will be helpful.

seems like a lot to fit in to me. around AKL there are nice "drives" but I guess hitting thee high spots is the key here. NZ roads aren't as straight or level as Aussie roads, and the speed limits on some roads are lower over there. it is a pretty easy drive south once you hit the motorway, a good GPS / sat Nav is a must in my opinion. as an expat Kiwi i still use one when I visit.
I would probably drive to Rotorua first and then Taupo then Napier. there is a bit of back tracking otherwise .
Enjoy the trip . it is beautiful . lots of Art Deco architecture in Napier.

 

[jb747]

I'll second the comment about progress on the Kiwi roads being slow. Whatever time you think it will take, add about 50%.

We did Napier, Taupo and Rotorua last year, but we used Wellington as our start point. Loved Taupo, and Napier/Hastings. I'm not really a fan of Rotorua. The lake is nice, but the town isn't. It's a nice drive around the lake to Okere Falls. The lakes to the south east are good too.

If you have any interest in the Hobbit movies, Hobbiton is between Cambridge and Matamata.

 

[knagelli]

We did Napier, Taupo and Rotorua last year

Was your return flight from Wellington or AKL ?

 

[knagelli]

Thanks everyone for your valuable suggestions.

Now wife and I considering extending our trip by two more days starting on 31st Oct ( Sat ) and returning on 8th Nov ( Sun).

So thinking 2 days at AKL , 3 days at Rotorua and 3 days at Napier for accommodation.

Post automatically merged: Feb 10, 2020

I would probably drive to Rotorua first and then Taupo then Napier. there is a bit of back tracking otherwise .

Any suggestions on where to stay around Rotorua/Taupo.

 

[AV8]

Thanks everyone for your valuable suggestions.

Now wife and I considering extending our trip by two more days starting on 31st Oct ( Sat ) and returning on 8th Nov ( Sun).

So thinking 2 days at AKL , 3 days at Rotorua and 3 days at Napier for accommodation.

Post automatically merged: Feb 10, 2020

Any suggestions on where to stay around Rotorua/Taupo.

Stayed at Quest Rotorua Central last year - central location in town, short walk to Eat Street.

 

[Deleted member]

Thanks everyone for your valuable suggestions.

Now wife and I considering extending our trip by two more days starting on 31st Oct ( Sat ) and returning on 8th Nov ( Sun).

So thinking 2 days at AKL , 3 days at Rotorua and 3 days at Napier for accommodation.

Post automatically merged: Feb 10, 2020

Any suggestions on where to stay around Rotorua/Taupo.

We stayed at the Hilton in Taupo , it’s a bit incongruous in my opinion. Really nice apartments , amazing views , but a bit disjointed around the service levels, the forecourt leaves a lot to be desired, and we always had a struggle getting someone to come out to assist us.
If you have time to spare, and a day on the lake fishing is your idea of fun, you will almost certainly catch a trout or two even. You can ask the hotel to cook it. Or the room has some good kitchen facilities if that’s your thing.
You have some very nice spots close to town where you can walk and take in the scenery.
We last stayed in a Rydges in Rotorua because we had two young grandchildren with us and breakfast was (for them) free. The room was large and had (in our case) two bathrooms.

I concur with the recommendation to visit Hobbiton, it’s not cheap, but we really enjoyed it.
Cambridge is nice, a few antique stores and some nice cafes.
Just outside Matamata is Tirau a small town with cafes, craft shops and antique stores.
If you’re going to spend 2 full days in AKL , consider the wine trails out west toward the waitakere ranges.

Waitākere Ranges Regional Park | Auckland, New Zealand

This stunning region includes more than 16,000 hectares of native rainforest and coastline, and natural treasures like the Karekare Falls.

www.newzealand.com

Some nice restaurants at the wineries.
I also like the eastern beaches just for a drive. ( but I also have family history out there so more of a return to my youth I suppose)
I always visit Maraetai and continue on to Clevedon , very scenic and there are a few OK spots for coffee or lunch. It is also an alternative route to leave AKL albeit circuitous.

I’m getting homesick writing this , just as well I’m heading to AKL in May for. +50 years on (year group) school reunion. Taking a day either side of the weekend to visit old haunts.

 

[knagelli]

We stayed at the Hilton in Taupo , it’s a bit incongruous in my opinion. Really nice apartments , amazing views , but a bit disjointed around the service levels, the forecourt leaves a lot to be desired, and we always had a struggle getting someone to come out to assist us.
If you have time to spare, and a day on the lake fishing is your idea of fun, you will almost certainly catch a trout or two even. Ypu can ask the hotel to,cook it. Or the room has some good kitchen facilities if that’s your thing.
You have some very nice spots close to town where you can walk and take in the scenery.
We last stayed in a Rydges in Rotorua because we had two young grandchildren with us and breakfast was (for them) free. The room was large and had (in our case) two bathrooms.

I concur with the recommendation to visit Hobbiton, it’s not cheap, but we really enjoyed it.
Cambridge is nice, a few antique stores and some nice cafes.
Just outside Matamata is Tirau a small town with cafes, craft shops and antique stores.
If you’re going to spend 2 full days in AKL , consider the wine trails out west toward the waitakere ranges.

Waitākere Ranges Regional Park | Auckland, New Zealand

This stunning region includes more than 16,000 hectares of native rainforest and coastline, and natural treasures like the Karekare Falls.

www.newzealand.com

Some nice restaurants at the wineries.
I also like the eastern beaches just for a drive. ( but I also have family history out there so more of a return to my youth I suppose)
I always visit Maraetai and continue on to Clevedon , very scenic and there are a few OK spots for coffee or lunch. It is also an alternative route to leave AKL albeit circuitous.

I’m getting homesick writing this , just as well I’m heading to AKL in May for. +50 years on (year group) school reunion. Taking a day either side of the weekend to visit old haunts.

@GPH Thats indeed a detailed set of info. Thanks much for your suggestions. Will help me in finalising the acco.

 

[AV8]

Villa Maria Estate (within a stones throw from Auckland Airport) has an excellent cheese platter and meals before you drop off your rental car and saves you from the terrible QF AKL lounge.

 

[knagelli]

Villa Maria Estate (within a stones throw from Auckland Airport) has an excellent cheese platter and meals before you drop off your rental car and saves you from the terrible QF AKL lounge.

Thanks for the tip , however we might use the strata lounge and have not read anything about it.

 

[ALH]

Villa Maria Estate (within a stones throw from Auckland Airport) has an excellent cheese platter and meals before you drop off your rental car and saves you from the terrible QF AKL lounge.

Now, that’s a great idea for May. Flight departs AKL at 3:15pm.

Thank you for the suggestion.