JadesWorld
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
Mangahuia Campsite
3.5/5
Very close to Whakapapa Village.
It's a nice place and cheap ($4 p.p.). I liked the camping vehicle spaces, because each has plants at the side, so you cannot look at your neighbour ;) If you walk a little bit on the walking track, at the camping side, you get a great view at the hills and vulcanos.
But arrive early, the spaces fill fast.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Tamaki Maori Village
1.5/5
It's a tourist attraction and in Germany we would say it's a "Kaffeefahrt".
Pro:
- you get some information about their culture
Con:
- too many people (4 big full busses)
- bus driver who is driving you nuts
- too touristic
Just on a side note - there are 4 buses with around 25 tourists, each paying a whooping 100 dollars for that show. That makes 10.000 dollars for just one night. Not a bad taking for some singing, dancing and less than average food ;)
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Matamata ▷
Rings Scenic Tours
3.0/5
Pro: - you can see the full Hobbiton of the Hobbits - rather than just a paper movie set - nice guides - 2h time - after the tour they made a 10minutes stop, where you can watch how a sheep is getting
sheared ;)
Con:
- ($66 p.p.) expensive
- you need to drive with the tour bus ;P
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Hahei ▷
Cathedral Cove Walk
4.0/5
From the carpark it's just 45 minutes to the Cathedral Cove.
The walk is nice and you will see some great views. The way has some hilly parts and stairs, but it's totally worth it. The bay at the end is beautiful and maybe you want to jump into the water ;)
The arch was still closed, but "some" people risked to see the other side ;)
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Paradise Valley Springs
5.0/5
We loved this place, especially because we could get close to a lion cub.
But this little zoo/park is very beautiful in a lot of other aspects too. We walked 2h around just feeding and photographing ducks, deer, wallebies, sheep, lamas, etc. and relaxing in the beautiful surrounding.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
3.5/5
Nice Thermal Holiday Park.
We stayed just for one night. The personnel where very nice and the toilets and showers very clean.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Hahei ▷
Hot Water Beach
4.0/5
Very busy and you need to be early to get a good spot.
There are not many spots where the water under the sand is actually hot, but if everyone works together and links the pools more people will have fun :P
Info:
- Only works at tides, check the Homepage for the right time.
- Cool the hot water with the sea water or ground water
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Katikati ▷
Katikati
3.0/5
Kauri Point Reserve Is a small carpark near the sea (ca.
5 minutes drive from the Rd 2). It"s nice and quiet and you can walk right to the sea in a minute. You will find a little shore and a jetty, where you can (perhaps) see some angler.
Pro:
- quite
- free
- you can sit on the jetty and watch the sea ;)
Con:
- you stand on a carpark (not on grass)
- from the carpark you get only a glimpse of the sea
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga ▷
McLaren Falls Camping Area
5.0/5
McLaren Falls Park is a really lovely place for camping.
We found it by accident and stayed for 2 nights, because it's just such a peaceful site at the river.
They have a few camping sides. Some at the river and others in the forest.
Pro:
- quiet
- camping on grass (at the river)
- walking tracks
- wonderful forest
- clean and well maintained
- BBQ
- cheap
- showers / toilets
Con:
-/-
If we ever would comeback to North-New Zealand for camping, we would for sure stay here again.
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Info
If you stay over night, it will cost per adult $5, children under 16 are free. Just drive to the camping side you want to stay. In the morning a Park Ranger will make his round and collect for the night. (max. 3 nights)
Things to see and do:
- Waterfall Track where you can see glow worms after dusk
- Botanical tree collection (from around the world)
- Trout fishing (fishing licence)
- Walking tracks
- Camping (BBQ area)
- Kayaking
- watch/feed ducks, geese and black swans
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Tongariro River Rafting
4.5/5
We just called them a day beforehand and the next morning at 9.00am we were on our way to start the 2 1/2 hour White Water Rafting trip.
We had a great experience and a lot of fun - beautiful scenery and great rapids.
Mike (Mad Dog) and Mike2 were very great and made this trip perfect with their humor and skills.
Tip: At every Info-Point you can find a little free magazine, from the publisher "Jasons", for Spring 2011 "What"s On Rotorua". They put some Vouchers in it and one is to get the photo cd (which would cost $30) for free. ;)