Need help on 2 week itinerary - North Island, winter, with kids (5, 7, 10)
May 14th, 2015, 05:13 PM
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Need help on 2 week itinerary - North Island, winter, with kids (5, 7, 10)
Hello! My husband has a work trip to Auckland in July and the kids and I have decided to piggyback on his trip. As such, we must be in Auckland for our first week and then we are open to travel anywhere our second week. I can't tell you how excited I am for this opportunity. That said, we are limited not only in duration but also by the facts we have three kids - ages 5, 7, and 10 - and that it will be winter. We are used to being on the go and we're not really relaxed vacationers. We also don't like winter sports, even though we live in Minnesota.
The kids and I will arrive on Tuesday and will be "on our own" in Auckland until Friday. After that, my husband is free to join us. I've been doing all kinds of research and have put together a rough itinerary. Thank you very much in advance for any feedback you give. Really, really appreciate it!
AUCKLAND:
Tues: Arrive early morning, do a Harbor Tour and explore Devenport
Wed: See the boats at the Viaduct Basin, have lunch at the Sky Tower, and possibly explore Posonby or Cornwall Park
Thurs: Spend the day at the Auckland Zoo; hopefully do a behind-the-scenes tour
Fri: Rent bikes or go to the Auckland Museum
NO-LONGER-LIMITED TO AUCKLAND:
Sat: Leave early - Drive to Waitimo Caves for the glow worms & Hobbiton, Continue onto Rotorua and stay overnight.
Sun: Rotorua – Bicycle tour in morning, Waikite Valley thermal pools in late afternoon, Maori Village & Hangi Feast in evening
Mon: Rotorua - Skyline & luge, Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland
Tues: Rotorua – Redwood Forest, Agroventures
Wed: Rotorua – Kaurau Park, Free Time (question: is this too much time on Rotorua?)
Thurs: Taupo - Horseback riding and hot water beach (worth doing in July?)
Fri: Taupo - Prawn farm in morning, possibly a scenic drive or not-scary hike (?), then return to Auckland (3.5 hours)
Sat: Auckland – Day trip to Rotigoro or Great Barrier Island, possibly try to catch a rugby game
Sun: Auckland – Pack up, have the afternoon to kill (any ideas???), leave in the evening for home
Is there anything we're missing that would be great in July for a family? Or that we should do to round off our New Zealand experience?
The kids and I will arrive on Tuesday and will be "on our own" in Auckland until Friday. After that, my husband is free to join us. I've been doing all kinds of research and have put together a rough itinerary. Thank you very much in advance for any feedback you give. Really, really appreciate it!
AUCKLAND:
Tues: Arrive early morning, do a Harbor Tour and explore Devenport
Wed: See the boats at the Viaduct Basin, have lunch at the Sky Tower, and possibly explore Posonby or Cornwall Park
Thurs: Spend the day at the Auckland Zoo; hopefully do a behind-the-scenes tour
Fri: Rent bikes or go to the Auckland Museum
NO-LONGER-LIMITED TO AUCKLAND:
Sat: Leave early - Drive to Waitimo Caves for the glow worms & Hobbiton, Continue onto Rotorua and stay overnight.
Sun: Rotorua – Bicycle tour in morning, Waikite Valley thermal pools in late afternoon, Maori Village & Hangi Feast in evening
Mon: Rotorua - Skyline & luge, Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland
Tues: Rotorua – Redwood Forest, Agroventures
Wed: Rotorua – Kaurau Park, Free Time (question: is this too much time on Rotorua?)
Thurs: Taupo - Horseback riding and hot water beach (worth doing in July?)
Fri: Taupo - Prawn farm in morning, possibly a scenic drive or not-scary hike (?), then return to Auckland (3.5 hours)
Sat: Auckland – Day trip to Rotigoro or Great Barrier Island, possibly try to catch a rugby game
Sun: Auckland – Pack up, have the afternoon to kill (any ideas???), leave in the evening for home
Is there anything we're missing that would be great in July for a family? Or that we should do to round off our New Zealand experience?
May 15th, 2015, 02:06 PM
#2
Don't plan on doing much on your arrival day, you will be exhausted from the long journey and the kids will probably be cranky. Maybe visit the Skytower, have lunch, take it easy.
I love NZ in the winter months - it'll be a piece of cake compared to winter in Minnisota!
I'm a South Island fan, so will leave your questions about the NI for those better equipped to ansswer them.
Enjoy NZ - it's a beautiful place.
I love NZ in the winter months - it'll be a piece of cake compared to winter in Minnisota!
I'm a South Island fan, so will leave your questions about the NI for those better equipped to ansswer them.
Enjoy NZ - it's a beautiful place.
May 17th, 2015, 01:48 AM
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I'm a great fan of Rotorua. We take a group of school kids there for 2 weeks and easily fill in the time.
It's a long way from Waitomo to Rotorua and IMO the glow worm caves at Waitomo have turned into a tourist rip off.
If you're going out to Waikite pools (and you should because it is spectacularly beautiful), just be aware that it takes much longer to get there than the map suggests. You might be struggling to get back and changed for the evening. Which village are you going to? Mitai and Tamaki are both great but I think your kids would enjoy the hands on activities at Tamaki.
The Polynesian pools in town have a family pool and you might enjoy them after a day at the luge ( leave plenty of time for the luge because the kids will want to ride many times!) You can never get enough time in hot pools in NZ, especially in the Winter.
The sheep show at Agriventures is worth the money - it's a very 'down under' experience.
If you're into biking then the Redwood Mountain Bikes are fantastic and have tracks for all abilities.
When you go to Kuirau Park, make sure you go across the road to the Ohinemutu area to look at the church and marae there.
Rainbow Springs is also worth a look and they have a cheesy log ride that the kids like.
Rotorua is a beautiful, spiritual place. You'll love it
It's a long way from Waitomo to Rotorua and IMO the glow worm caves at Waitomo have turned into a tourist rip off.
If you're going out to Waikite pools (and you should because it is spectacularly beautiful), just be aware that it takes much longer to get there than the map suggests. You might be struggling to get back and changed for the evening. Which village are you going to? Mitai and Tamaki are both great but I think your kids would enjoy the hands on activities at Tamaki.
The Polynesian pools in town have a family pool and you might enjoy them after a day at the luge ( leave plenty of time for the luge because the kids will want to ride many times!) You can never get enough time in hot pools in NZ, especially in the Winter.
The sheep show at Agriventures is worth the money - it's a very 'down under' experience.
If you're into biking then the Redwood Mountain Bikes are fantastic and have tracks for all abilities.
When you go to Kuirau Park, make sure you go across the road to the Ohinemutu area to look at the church and marae there.
Rainbow Springs is also worth a look and they have a cheesy log ride that the kids like.
Rotorua is a beautiful, spiritual place. You'll love it
May 26th, 2015, 12:30 AM
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Devonport is good for kids - a nice playground by the beach, plenty of cafes and food places. You can walk up Mt Victoria for a panoramic city view. We always get fish and chips from Catch 22 and eat them in the park.
Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium is in Ohaku Bay and worth a half day visit. You could then hire bikes for a waterfront ride.
Cornwall Park has space for running around and you can walk up to the top - One Tree Hill (except there is no longer a tree there)Ponsonby is more a boutiques/restaurants area.
MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology is next to the Zoo and very interactive for the kids.
Hobbiton is great and my teenagers loved it. Well worth doing and try to book beforehand. It's really popular.
Craters of the Moon is a thermal walk close to the Prawn Farm and quite cheap for a family.
Orakei Korako is between Rotorua and Taupo and IMO really cool and different if you want to see thermal activity.
A day trip to Great Barrier Island is too far unless you fly and then it will be expensive. If it's a nice day go to Waiheke. Rangitoto is great but there is nothing in terms of shops or cafes there so you would have to take all your own food and drink.
Have fun in New Zealand! It will be school holidays here July 6 to 17th so kids will be everywhere. There is a cinema complex in Queen Street for a wet day and also the Maritime Museum could be worth a look.
Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium is in Ohaku Bay and worth a half day visit. You could then hire bikes for a waterfront ride.
Cornwall Park has space for running around and you can walk up to the top - One Tree Hill (except there is no longer a tree there)Ponsonby is more a boutiques/restaurants area.
MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology is next to the Zoo and very interactive for the kids.
Hobbiton is great and my teenagers loved it. Well worth doing and try to book beforehand. It's really popular.
Craters of the Moon is a thermal walk close to the Prawn Farm and quite cheap for a family.
Orakei Korako is between Rotorua and Taupo and IMO really cool and different if you want to see thermal activity.
A day trip to Great Barrier Island is too far unless you fly and then it will be expensive. If it's a nice day go to Waiheke. Rangitoto is great but there is nothing in terms of shops or cafes there so you would have to take all your own food and drink.
Have fun in New Zealand! It will be school holidays here July 6 to 17th so kids will be everywhere. There is a cinema complex in Queen Street for a wet day and also the Maritime Museum could be worth a look.
May 26th, 2015, 08:20 PM
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Excellent, wonderful advice, thank you. Here's my revised (and busy) itinerary:
AUCKLAND:
Tues: Arrive early morning, do a Harbor Tour, nap, and explore Devenport (playground by the beach, walk up Mt Victoria for a panoramic city view, fish and chips from Catch 22 and eat them in the park)
Wed: See the boats at the Viaduct Basin in the morning, have lunch at the Sky Tower, and Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium in the afternoon. If we still have energy, hire bikes for a waterfront ride
Thurs: Spend the day at the Auckland Zoo; hopefully do a behind-the-scenes tour. If time, go to MOTAT.
Fri: Cornwall Park for running around and walk to the top of One Tree Hill
(Other Auckland options - Auckland Museum, Movies at Cinema Complex if rainy)
NO LONGER RESTRICTED TO AUCKLAND: OPEN TO EXPLORE!
Sat: Leave early - Drive to Waitimo Caves (2.5 hours) for the glow worms; Hobbiton tour, continue onto Rotorua (arriving late) and check into lodging
Sun: Rotorua – Bicycle tour 10 AM - 12 PM, Waikite Valley trek, thermal pools in afternoon/evening
Mon: Rotorua - Skyline gondola tour, Luge rides, Polynesian Pools
Tues: Rotorua - Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland, Tamaki Maori Village & Hangi Feast in evening
Wed: Rotorua – Redwood Forest in morning for trek (possibly cut out – kids might think is boring), Agrodome & Agroventures in afternoon for sheep shearing and fun stuff
Thurs: Rotorua – Kaurau Park in morning, Orakei Korako, Stay in Taupo (1 hour)
OTHER Potentials: Hells Gate? Buried Village? Picnic at Green Lake?
Fri: Taupo - Hot water beach, Huka Falls
Sat: Taupo - Prawn farm in morning, Craters of the Moon walk, then return to Auckland (3.5 hours)
*Anything else in Taupo in the winter with children?
Sun: Auckland – Pack up, do anything missed from Week 1, leave in the evening for home
QUESTION: Is there anything in the Northland that would trump items on our itinerary for Rotorua or Taupo, again in February?
AUCKLAND:
Tues: Arrive early morning, do a Harbor Tour, nap, and explore Devenport (playground by the beach, walk up Mt Victoria for a panoramic city view, fish and chips from Catch 22 and eat them in the park)
Wed: See the boats at the Viaduct Basin in the morning, have lunch at the Sky Tower, and Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium in the afternoon. If we still have energy, hire bikes for a waterfront ride
Thurs: Spend the day at the Auckland Zoo; hopefully do a behind-the-scenes tour. If time, go to MOTAT.
Fri: Cornwall Park for running around and walk to the top of One Tree Hill
(Other Auckland options - Auckland Museum, Movies at Cinema Complex if rainy)
NO LONGER RESTRICTED TO AUCKLAND: OPEN TO EXPLORE!
Sat: Leave early - Drive to Waitimo Caves (2.5 hours) for the glow worms; Hobbiton tour, continue onto Rotorua (arriving late) and check into lodging
Sun: Rotorua – Bicycle tour 10 AM - 12 PM, Waikite Valley trek, thermal pools in afternoon/evening
Mon: Rotorua - Skyline gondola tour, Luge rides, Polynesian Pools
Tues: Rotorua - Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland, Tamaki Maori Village & Hangi Feast in evening
Wed: Rotorua – Redwood Forest in morning for trek (possibly cut out – kids might think is boring), Agrodome & Agroventures in afternoon for sheep shearing and fun stuff
Thurs: Rotorua – Kaurau Park in morning, Orakei Korako, Stay in Taupo (1 hour)
OTHER Potentials: Hells Gate? Buried Village? Picnic at Green Lake?
Fri: Taupo - Hot water beach, Huka Falls
Sat: Taupo - Prawn farm in morning, Craters of the Moon walk, then return to Auckland (3.5 hours)
*Anything else in Taupo in the winter with children?
Sun: Auckland – Pack up, do anything missed from Week 1, leave in the evening for home
QUESTION: Is there anything in the Northland that would trump items on our itinerary for Rotorua or Taupo, again in February?
May 26th, 2015, 11:18 PM
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Huka Falls won't take all day to look at but down the road is the Honey Centre (really just a shop) but has live bees inside. There's a rope climbing thing if the kids are adventurous.
Debrett's Thermal pools would be nice in the winter for the family.
If you come back in February (height of summer, all the kids back at school so a quieter time than Christmas)the Bay of Islands (Paihia/Russell) and Cape Reinga would keep you busy.
Rotorua and Taupo are the big ones for tourists in the North Island but if you like a beach holiday and swimming you will be spoilt for choice in February.
Have an awesome winter holiday in NZ.
Debrett's Thermal pools would be nice in the winter for the family.
If you come back in February (height of summer, all the kids back at school so a quieter time than Christmas)the Bay of Islands (Paihia/Russell) and Cape Reinga would keep you busy.
Rotorua and Taupo are the big ones for tourists in the North Island but if you like a beach holiday and swimming you will be spoilt for choice in February.
Have an awesome winter holiday in NZ.
May 27th, 2015, 11:36 PM
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No problem rlerfald! You have done a great job of planning a lovely holiday. I assumed maybe your husband would be coming back here for work again in the summer. I think your holiday is perfect - Rotorua and Taupo are great winter holiday spots. Northland has some beautiful areas but best enjoyed in a kiwi summer.
May 28th, 2015, 02:04 AM
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Sounds like a great itinerary.
That Saturday drive from Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo and Matamata is a pretty long one. You'll need a very early start or maybe get a jump on it by traveling part of the way on Friday night. You'll see some very pretty countryside from Waitomo to Rotorua and unless you're familiar with the roads you don't want to spend too much time driving after dark (and it gets dark early in July).
Leave in the Redwood Forest. You don't have to stay long and it is a lovely walk.
Given that you have included Wai-o-tapu and Orakei Korako I don't think you need anymore thermal activity. The kids will have had enough of the bubbling mud. If you want another Maori experience I really like Whakarewarewa village. It's run by the families who actually live there so its a very authentic look at historical and contemporary Maori life.
Something you might consider adding is Kerosene Creek, a naturally occurring hot water creek about a 1/3 of the way between Rotorua and Taupo. Its off the main highway so the tourist buses don't go there. You can park at the end of a logging track and after a short walk through the bush you come to a beautiful hot waterfall. Its a pretty magic place to enjoy a swim in the middle of Winter! And its free!
That Saturday drive from Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo and Matamata is a pretty long one. You'll need a very early start or maybe get a jump on it by traveling part of the way on Friday night. You'll see some very pretty countryside from Waitomo to Rotorua and unless you're familiar with the roads you don't want to spend too much time driving after dark (and it gets dark early in July).
Leave in the Redwood Forest. You don't have to stay long and it is a lovely walk.
Given that you have included Wai-o-tapu and Orakei Korako I don't think you need anymore thermal activity. The kids will have had enough of the bubbling mud. If you want another Maori experience I really like Whakarewarewa village. It's run by the families who actually live there so its a very authentic look at historical and contemporary Maori life.
Something you might consider adding is Kerosene Creek, a naturally occurring hot water creek about a 1/3 of the way between Rotorua and Taupo. Its off the main highway so the tourist buses don't go there. You can park at the end of a logging track and after a short walk through the bush you come to a beautiful hot waterfall. Its a pretty magic place to enjoy a swim in the middle of Winter! And its free!
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