Trip Snapshot

Auckland We would never slam our own region, but according to kiwis, having to live there is pure bad luck: it has too many people, too much traffic, wet winters and sticky summers! Keep it all in perspective, wherever you come from, and you will understand why Auckland rates among the world’s best 10 cities to live in. We are surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the West and the Tasman Sea to the East. Walking across the CBD takes less than an hour, the same time that is needed to drive to the wild beaches of the Waitakere ranges, where the famous movie “The piano” was set. A one hour boat ride will take you to the small paradise island of Waiheke. Bay of Plenty - Rotorua These two neighbours do not have the same appeal among overseas’ visitors: Rotorua is the most visited site in the North Island whereas the Bay of Plenty seems to attract mostly local tourists. Magnificient white sand beaches offer views on White Island, summit of two overlapping stratovolcanoes and one of New Zealand's most active volcanic sites. We know Iceland like the back of our hand, and if you love this country too, Rotorua and White Island will put up an outstanding geothermal show as long as you do not stick to the city centre. After a three hour drive from Auckland, we recommend that you spend a good two nights in Rotorua, possibly three if you can push it East Cape We did not fall head over heels for this region, but we may have missed something! However, you won’t drive past it from Auckland or Wellington, so it is no big deal. Our intention was to tramp around Lake Waikaremoana to discover one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks. It is not one of the most popular ones because of its difficult access through Road 38 off State Highway Five (Rotorua –Taupo). Scenic lookouts are beautiful everywhere else too, so let’s be frank with our tramping friends: this is clearly not a must-see must-do on your first trip to New Zealand