susncrg

We've had a great trip so far, but the weather has necessitated some changes in plan. Our trip to Kapiti wasn't possible (though it looks good now that we're on the other side of the island!!). Anyway, after planning out everything up to now, I'm starting to wing it and can't seem to make the final decision on where to go.

We like to do things outdoors - not really long hikes because my feet are still recovering from the Milford Track - and like the wildlife and don't want do the super touristy spots. We will be leaving Napier on the 19th, so that leaves 5 full days to go, before going to Auckland airport by the afternoon of the 6th day. We don't mind driving distances as long as the destination is worth it.

Has anyone gone to the gannet colony off Cape Kidnapper? Did you like it?

Some hotel operators said Rotorua is getting like the road to Las Vegas, and wasn't too keen on Lake Taupo either, though said one of the small lakes south of Rotorua was quite nice and you could kayak across. Any responses to that opinion? We'd love advice on good stuff to do that isn't like that.

We have been to Waitmo previously, so we won't be going there.

Has anyone done some day hikes on Rangitoto Island? If so, did you like it? Other places you might recommend instead?

It seems too long a trip to go all the way north, so any great spots for an overnight or so, that is within drivable distance and still get back to Auckland?

Any help would be greatly appreciated ASAP, as I'm in one of the rare lodgings that includes free internet. Thanks.

tactile

Gannet colony is a must, but take the tractor safari rather than the bus tour.There is some walking ,around a bit less than a km from where they drop you off and then walk to the main nesting area.Done that tractor safari 3 times now and gets better each time.
Think about going via Giborne taking in Mahia Peninsular.Great coastal scenery.With luck you may come across Moko the dolphin, swimming with locals at Mahia or Gisborne.We had the luck to spend an hour watching his antics.
From Giborne it's an easy drive to Opotiki or Whakatane,and on to Rotorua in 1 day.
Rotorua has many attractions.Waimangu Valley,or Orakei Korako,will get you out of town and into bushwalks, thermal areas and boat trip options with each.Waimangu can be done by bus if the feet are needing a break still.
The comment about Las Vegas I can't really see fit at all.Certainly not that developed.

susncrg

Thanks Tactile. Did do the gannets today and loved them. Could have watched their chicks and "family interactions" all day. Unfortunately, due to extremely high tides and bad weather lately, the tractors haven't gone in 4 days and our feet weren't up to a 20 km walk, so we did the Safari. It did turn out to be better than expected and certainly door to gannet service.

With the route you've suggested, should we just skip Taupo and do this instead? Sounds like a possibility. Where would the overnight be - in Gisborne or going all the way to rotorua and stopping off there?

Anyone else done this route? Where would you do the o/n and how long to give it to take in all the attractions tactile mentioned? Any other suggestions? We leave Napier tomorrow and will be checking email before we leave.

tactile

We've just done that route I suggested.
From Napier head up to Gisborne.Take a look around Mahia on the way.And spend a night at Gisborne.Then head up to Tolaga Bay, or even Tokomaru Bay.A nice drive with great scenery.Beaches all along that coast to stop, picnic, and take a walk.The wharves at Tolaga/Tokomaru Bays are remnants of an earlier time when transport of our farm produce(wool and meat etc) was all by coastal shipping.Those bays are beautiful.
About a 6 hour round trip from Gisborne.Another night there.Then the road over through to Opotiki is easy.
We were planning to stay at Whakatane but accom was full for a rugby conference so headed off to Rotorua, and were there before we knew it.
That route I'm suggesting as you didn't sound too keen on Taupo .But Rotorua I wouldn't miss.There is the main thermal areas right close to the city.But the others I mentioned get you out of town into more natural scenery.
And go soak your sore feet in the thermal pools in the evening..
http://www.polynesianspa.co.nz/
Or half an hours drive south...
http://www.hotpools.co.nz/
If you want to do Taupo, then take the Napier/Taupo highway instead, and spend 2 nights there.De Bretts thermal pools is very popular..
Explore Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland between Taupo and Rotorua.

Whichever way you go, they are both good routes, roads are great, and scenery is good.If the weather up there is good tomorrow, then the Gisborne and coastal to Opotiki will be enjoyable.
If weather is bad then cut across to Taupo.I think I'd play it that way.

susncrg

Thanks for the further details. I think that sounds pretty good.

ElendilPickle

Have you been over to New Plymouth or Egmont National Park before? There are some nice short walks in the park.

Lee Ann

susncrg

That's for the next trip. Since we couldn't go to Kapiti, we've left the west coast of the NI for our expected return visit at some point. In our 5+ weeks we've covered a lot of territory, so we figure many things left out will give us a reason to come back.

We've just arrived in Gisborne on tactile's advice and the drive was lovely. Stopped in Wairoa for a coffee (who could resist a place called "Osler's The Wonderful World of Food")and it turns out they have a tiny little museum that we had a quick look around. Took a detour to Mahia Beach and now are looking at a couple of restaurants for dinner.

Our next decision is whethr to take the Cape Coast road all the way around to Opotiki, to a short trip up the coast and back and take route 2 to Opotiki, or to double back a bit and go through the Te Urewera National Park, which looks beautiful but has almost 50 km of unsealed road. I guess we'll see what the weather's like and what the driver wants to do. Anyone done any of these and have an opinion?

tactile

Spoilt for choice!Just be aware that there are just a few fuel choices if you go up right around East Cape,and we found pumps sold out as tankers weren't getting around as fast as demand from tourists over the New Year period.See a pump, fill up.