Hello. I am just beginning my research for a trip to the North Island. I visited Wellington briefly in 1986, but this time I plan to devote my visit (one week) to seeing the North Island. My budget is $150(US) per day accomodations (clean, quiet, en suite bathroom, generally prefer boutique type properties with some scenic quality). Food budget is wide open, love good food. I am a vegetarian who eats some fish (love scallops), my travel companon is an omnivor . Interests: hiking, wineries, shopping, and outdoor activities.

Some specific questions:
1. Has anyone hiked the Tongariro Crossing? If so, may I have your comments?
2. Has anyone hiked the Waihohonu Traverse ? Can you compare it to Tongariro Crossing?
3. Can you recommend a lodge near the area?
4. Can you recommend a lodge in the Bay of Islands area?
5. What, in your opinion, is the best book to read in preparation for a visit to the North Island?
6. Please tell me your five top destinations on the North Island.

All suggestions and ideas are welcomed. There will be more questions! Thanks.

Anyone?

Where to start ?! So many fantastic choices !
Because of your limited time I would strongly recommend staying in one region. So which one ? Given your interests, Hawkes Bay would have to be my choice for you. It has a fantastic Med climate - ideal wine country. You will be spoilt for choice of wineries and not only is the wine fantastic but the food superb. Most of the wineries are small and exclusive nestled into gently undulating hillsides. Boutique accom abounds. Try a farm stay . Sorry scallop season will be over - but as Hawkes Bay is renown for its horticultural produce your vegetarian tastebuds will be well catered for! Your omnivore friend will do just find too... there are lots of sheep in The Bay ! There are so many great walks ( tramping in NZ ). Walk to Cape Kidnappers to see the Gannet Colony - coastal. Tramp in the Ruahine Ranges - try the Sunrise Hut - beaut views ( stunning in winter ). Everything is so handy - you can spend a day tramping in the Mts and be back at your boutique B and B at the beach by sun down ! Hawkes Bay is a micro NZ - often overlooked by tourists but loved and cherished by discerning NZers.
Will leave it there for now . Happy to answer any questions.

Thanks so much, heathy. I just returned from a short trip and will be mulling over your suggestions. I will be back with more questions. I do appreciate you taking the time to answer my query.

My pleasure. The problem is I keep thinking of wondrous things for you to do .
I tramped the Tongariro Xing some years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it - unfortunately Iam not familiar with the other tramp you mention.
Last winter we splashed out and spent a couple of nights in the Grand Chateau. Looking a little tired these days but a very handy location.( Actually reminds me of my old boarding school ! ). Im sure you'll find info on the Chateau online.
Cheers.

http://www.chateau.co.nz/
Tongariro National Park

Thank you so much for your help, heathy. You are a wonderful resource.

Hi cmcfong - sorry I missed this the first time!

Can't help on 1,2,or 3 but we really liked this hotel/motel in Paihia (Bay of Islands)

http://www.admiralsviewlodge.co.nz/

Not exactly boutique style - didn't find a lot of that in the NI outside of major centres - but a really lovely hotel/motel.

Our budget was (originally) $100/night/CDN (hah!) which morphed to $100/night/US and we were able to do well in that range (on average)

Our top destinations in the NI are:

- Napier and wider Hawkes Bay area
- Waitomo Caves
- 90 mile beach and Paihia
- (we didn't spend time in Auckland so can't comment)

Will post more restaurant reviews as they come up on our blog - here's a link to our blog with the Waitomo Caves and Paihia info

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/2...and/index.html

Oh hi, Liz. How great to find you here. You have been such a great resource in the past. I will be checking the blog. Thanks for posting!

After a quick look at the blog I am sorry Norfolk Island isn't on my itinerary this trip!

Still lots to come re Napier - we stayed there for two weeks and really loved it!

Keep checking back - lots of restaurant recos for that area too!

Will do, Liz. Thanks.

If you can get the wotif reduced rate at Copthorne Waitangi, the ocean view rooms are very nice for $129 NZ.

Thanks, I will see what I can find there.

Hi again !
Another suggestion. Head for Tutukaka in Northland. Eco tourism trips to The Poor Knights - a marine reserve. Lovely beaches throughout this region , hiking etc. Close ( very ) to the Bay of Islands. Try the Pacific Rendezvous motel and ask for an ocean view unit. The rooms may well be a little tired - however the views are spectacular.
This area would be one of my top five destinations.

Heathy, you are a gold mine! Thanks so much for the information.

Liz, I have been reading the blog and it is a wonderful resource. I visited NZ forcusing on the South Island some years ago and was a little disappointed that my companion for this trip wanted to focus on the North Island. After reading the blog (most of the North Island pictures did not show) and Heathy's posts, I am very excited. Can you send me the contact information for Gordon? He does seem to "make" the trip! I am sure there will be more questions later.

I'll find Gord's card and post later - the only thing is it was expensive (versus the regular tours) - I'll post the price later. For us it was the best way to go because of Richard's bad back........if we have a private guide we can always change the itinerary if he runs into problems.

Re the blog - it's really slow to load - I can see the pictures.....are you still having problems (I have to go in and adjust the individual posts so they don't just make one giant page - add that to my list of things to do!))

Thanks, Liz. I may be willing to cough up a little extra for the Gordon experience, since I am only there for a short while and doing air on my miles. I wish I had more time...old story, I suppose.
On the blog photos, the problem may be here, so I will keep checking it. The narratives were enough to whet my appetite!

Liz, all the photos opened tonight. OHMIGOSH, gorgeous! I have to try the sand boarding, it does look like fun.