Christchurch to Auckland, tips & landmarks on route

[Cvan]

Hi

We're going to stop in Kaikoura for the dolphins, and Wellington for a few sites, but no other plans yet.

Any recommendations please on Cheap/free things for 2 young kids on the route above?

Also, to enhance what is going to be a lot of driving, are there any good landmarks which the kids can look out for (e.g. Waipapa Bay Crayfish Camp looks like it'd be worth a quick stop and a picture)?

Are there any good mud bath spots in Rotorua? I found one that was more like a resort, expensive, just want a cheaper option suitable for two under 7 yr old kids for fun?

Also any campsite recommendations for Kaikoura?

Thank you

[Duncan74]

The top 10 in Kaikoura was as good as they always were. Walkable to the Whaleway Station, but you'd need to drive to the start of the coastal walk (20 minutes IIRC).

Most towns and villages have at least one giant 'thing' as you drive through. My wife attempted to get photos of them all, from Bees, to a fly, to a pepper, etc etc. Could get the kids to look out for them.

As you head into Kaikoura, about an hour north I think there's a bot on the coastal road where the seals are on the rocks, so keep an eye out.

North Island, we preferred the east coast route, but it's up to you where else you went. If you go via Taupo then there's the Hammer falls, the Honey museum / visitor centre, and of course the lake where you can swim.

[girlwithanewf]

I am following this with interest as when we land in Auckland next week we are hiring a car and driving down to Wellington. Having three nights on Waiheke Island when we arrive to recover from the move and flight then getting on the road! Just to do it all again when we go back to Auckland the following week to collect the dogs and pet. (one of the dogs is too big for the plane from AKl to Wellington - don't laugh anyone!) Have a great trip, I am so excited about the prospect of going to Kaikoura and seeing whales.

[Oregonkiwi]

Are there any good mud bath spots in Rotorua? I found one that was more like a resort, expensive, just want a cheaper option suitable for two under 7 yr old kids for fun?

If you want to see some boiling mud for free, go to Kuirau Park
http://www.rdc.govt.nz/Recreation/Pa...uirauPark.aspx
It also has a hot water foot bath thing. Lots of open space for kids to run around. (But keep a close eye on them around the boiling mud and steam of course and stay on the paths.)

Our 5 yr old enjoyed walking along the lake front, we walked along a path from the Polynesian Spa to Government Gardens, saw some good thermal activity.

You can download a very useful walkways brochure and map here:
http://www.rdc.govt.nz/Recreation/Wa...uaWalkway.aspx

Huka Falls are amazing (and free).

[Mgee]

We took a bus tour from Auckland to Wellington via Rotorua and Taupo a couple of weeks ago. Some inexpensive or free things to do:
-Kapiti coast: take a swim in the sea before continuing north, buy some local fruit from the fruit stalls.
-Mokai Gravity Canyon near Taihape: there's a bungy jumping bridge, a bungy swing and the "flying fox". Great viewing from the cafe terrace, and you can walk on the bridge and take photos of the 80 m deep canyon that featured as river Anduin in the LOTR movies. It's about 15 minutes drive from the highway.
-The Tongariro area. Whether you pass it by the eastern or the western side, on a clear day the mountains (active volcanoes) are simply an awesome sight. On the east side is the desert road with its wild landscape and on the western side you can drive up to the Whakapapa village and Whakapapa ski field on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu.
-Lake Taupo: swim, take a break, collect some floating pumice stones from the waterfront.
-Huka Falls about 5 kms north of Taupo: really beautiful, free and fairly close to the highway.
-There are thermal parks in Rotorua, but also if you're driving from Taupo to Rotorua, there's a large bubbling mud pool very close to highway at Wai-o-tapu, about 25 kms south of Rotorua. The mud pool is about 300 meters east from the Waikite valley road & Waiotapu loop road crossroads on SH5. The Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is also very close, further south along the Waiotapu loop road.
-In Rotorua, quite a few sights are free: take a stroll through the Government gardens and by the lake, watch the hot springs in the city centre. Drive around the lake perhaps if you have the time.
-In Rotorua, some motels have their own hot springs that the guests can use, so you can combine some relaxation with inexpensive accommodation.

[Cvan]

Duncan74 - great to hear there are a load of giant things, that's ideal for the kids. thanks also for the other suggestions, look forward to checking those sites out

girlwithanewf - have a great trip!

oregonkiwi - the park and lake sounds good, we'll check that out. Are there any mud baths where you can cover yourself/each other in mud?? I did this in Turkey and I'm sure the kids would love it.


Mgee - fantastic post, thank you. The canyon event looks great. While the kids aren't old enough to participate we will stop in there as it will be great to watch.
The pumice stones is a great idea, are they available anywhere on the lake or must you go to specific parts?
The wai-o-tupo mud sounds good. Are there any mud baths where you can cover yourself/each other in mud?? I did this in Turkey and I'm sure the kids would love it.


Thanks to all for these posts these are exactly the type of information we're looking for. Any additional ideas of these types welcomed

[Duncan74]

That's a point, not sure if you're going to Nelson, but Rabit Island to the west is a massive leisure area - bit like a UK counrty park. Bike, run, walk trails, coin operated BBQs, grass area, and of course a massive beach. Linky thing to google maps of it.

Then on the north Island you have to spend a couple of days on the Coromandel. The 'minature' railway is great for the kids, and I think the nature reserve should be open by now (fundraising and construction under way when we were there). Hahei / hot water beach are more chilled and possibly some of the most beautiful places around. You can do sea kayaking at hahei, not that expensive, but not that cheap either I guess if there's a few of you.

[Mgee]

The "pumice beach" where we collected the stones was at the southern end of the lake, in the area where the SH1 runs very close to the lake. Sorry, I don't remember the name of the beach (if it even had a name).

The only mud pools I saw were the hot boiling, bubbling ones where you wouldn't want to bathe but the spas at Rotorua did offer mud baths.