Try this site for tramps in Hawkes Bay.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/tra....aspx?id=36149

Hawkes Bay really is a very lovely area !

NB : I would define a " tramp " as a rugged walk.

I rather liked the Rotorua region with boiling mudpools and geysers. A unique landscape and lots of Maori culture.

I have bookmarked the site, heathy. Thanks for the link.
Cilla, thanks for the comments.

Ta Da!

Gordon Williams
Paradise 4x4
www.paradisenz.co.nz

Gordon is the former owner who now works for the fellow he sold the business to - as you'll see on the website they also have larger bus tours but Gordon just does the 4x4 tours.......

How are your plans coming?

Thanks, Liz. I have it saved!
I was initially a little annoyed my friend did not want to go to the South Island as I thought it was vastly more interesting than the North Island on my last visit. As I have begun to plan I am finding so much on the North Island I will struggle to get it all done on this trip. You have been a great help, thanks a million.

We spent 3.5 weeks on the North Island and 2 weeks on the South - the south is more dramatically beautiful but the North is terrific too!

There does appear to be a great deal there. I was so overwhelmed with the far south of the South Island, I was a bit tough to convince....but now I am ready!

We spent 10 days on the North Island in April 2004 and loved it. You can see our pictures and trip report at http://community.webshots.com/user/ElendilPickle

We wanted to hike the Tongariro Crossing, but it was raining the day we'd scheduled it, and we didn't think we really had the right clothes for it.

We stayed at the Skotel, which was fine - just don't get a basic room because they are *tiny*.

Lee Ann

Whoops - missed the top five destinations part...

Wellington
Rotorua
Waitomo for black water rafting
Egmont National Park
Tongariro

Lee Ann

Thanks, Lee Ann, you're a doll. I have so enjoyed looking at your pictures. Can hardly wait to start posting my own (assuming Carrybean will teach me how...)