Sibelius

Researching driving routes in NZ is frustrating as there is stunning scenery from anyone's kitchen window! On our first day in NZ we will be arriving very early in Auckland and will be spending our first night at the Chateau in Tongariro. We are thinking of diverting to the Coromandel Peninsula, then heading through Matamata to SH 5 to skirt Rotorua and head to Taupo and eventually to Whakapapa Village. Has anyone had experience with this drive or have a better suggestion? Traveling end of Jan.

lizF

Yes I know that is a good idea. I find that that is much better than the other way.

Kiwi_acct

Hello Sibelius

You are certainly keen on driving with this first day itinery. You will have at least 6 hours driving on your first day.

Where abouts are you coming in from? From your flight time it indicates North America, which would mean jet lag.

For the sake of yourselves and other road users I would recommend a break before some serious driving especially if you intend to explore the Coromandel at all. The roads there, while good, are windy and slow.

The direct route to Whakapapa is just as good as a circuitous one, and going through Rotorua is much easier than trying to avoid it.


Steve

Kiwi_acct

For times and distances this site is useful

http://www.aatravel.co.nz/tourist/no...istances.shtml

ElendilPickle

I agree with Steve; we also arrived in Auckland early in the morning and drove to Whakatane our first day. Adrenaline only gets you so far!

Be sure to plan plenty of breaks to walk around and stretch, and if you start to feel even a little sleepy, pull off and take a nap. We found a nice little park somewhere between Tauranga and Whakatane to do just that, and were able to get to Whakatane safely that afternoon and enjoy the rest of our day.

Lee Ann

Sibelius

Advice duly noted and appreciated. We will be leaving L.A. 7:45 PM and arriving 2 days later 5:30 AM. How's this for a switch? Save Coromandel for another trip and drive straight to Rotorua with perhaps a photo stop in Matamata and relax at Polynesian Spa for a few hours before continuing on to Tongariro. If the cappuccino is strong enough, perhaps we can stop briefly at a thermal area along SH 5 or at Huka Falls on the way! Steve (also)

ElendilPickle

Sounds good to me!

One Fat Dog in Rotorua, just down the street from the Polynesian Spa, has great coffee.

Are you stopping in Matamata because of its Lord of the Rings filming connection? If so, you have to take the tour in order to visit the set.

Lee Ann

Kiwi_acct

Hi Steve

I agree with Lee Ann, One Fat Dog in Rotorua does have great coffee. A good stopping off point.

If you do not have a reason to go through Matamata and Rotorua you can follow SH 1 and avoid these towns all together. In saying that though, I do not think SH 1 is as interesting a drive as SH 2, 27 and 5 through Matamata, Rotorua and onto Taupo. Just watch your speed on SH 27 as there are speed traps. Would not be a good souvenir to be taking home a speeding ticket.

Huka Falls are two minutes off the main highway about 10 minutes north of Taupo and well worth a look if the weather is on your side. Plus it is a good chance to stretch your legs. Make sure you do not leave any valuables on display in your vehicle here though as occasionally some ratbags target the carpark for goodies to pinch from visitors cars.

There are thermal areas well sign posted along SH 5 to stop at as well as in Rotorua itself. If you want to look at steam vents for free. Just stop off at any of the parks around Ohinemutu in Rotorua and look at the steam there, it even comes out of the drains.

Enjoy your travels

Steve

Sibelius

Lee Ann, I know that the LTR "sets" in Matamata involve an expensive and time-consuming tour, but for film fans, I feel it is worth it, to drive past the tourist office and at least get a photo of the Hobbiton sign and also get an opportunity to see farming and racehorse country. Speaking of underrated towns, tree-lined Cambridge also sounds like a lovely town to at least pass through. Steve, thanks for the warning about the speed traps. Will my expensive radar detector work there? steve

ElendilPickle

Steve, I decided not to take the tour after seeing pictures on their website. It reminded me too much of the "scouring of the Shire" section in Return of the King, and I decided I preferred to think of Hobbiton the way it was depicted in the film.

You can see some of our LotR reenactment pictures, as well as other shots of the North Island, at http://community.webshots.com/user/ElendilPickle

The Other Steve wrote:

>>If you want to look at steam vents for free. Just stop off at any of the parks around Ohinemutu in Rotorua and look at the steam there, it even comes out of the drains.<<

That's right - you can see fairly recent eruption sites in Kuirau Park, and Ohinemutu is an interesting area to visit. St. Faith's Anglican Church is pretty, and we enjoyed spending some time there.

Lee Ann