Taking a trip to NZ

[Mc Fadge]

Planning a short trip to NZ with some friends around January next year, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for activities?

Landing in Auckland and and some point will be staying at my grandparents in Kinloch (near Taupo), so anything between and around this area would be great. We're going to stop in Rotorua for the Zorb stuff and the adventure park they have there (been before, that Swoop thing is awesome). Also hoping to do some paint balling (any suggested places?).

As a child, Rainbow's End was pretty fun, what's it like now? No doubt my memory has made it a bajillion times more expansive and amazing than it probably was/is

[MinoXXide]

Prawn Farm in Taupo is awesome, pretty cheap too.
If your a golf fan - thoroughly reccomend Waireiki and Kinloch golf courses. The latter designed by Jack Nicklaus

[Mc Fadge]

Oh yeah, I remember the prawn farm. They have a jet boat too don't they?

Not really into golf, but the others might be, I'll let them know, thanks

[MinoXXide]

Yup, Huka Jet. Prawn farm rocks - you get to go Prawn fishing!

[FaceAche]

Prawn Farm for sure.

Waitomo Caves might be quite good too - the new entrance/descent into the Ruakura Cave is awesome (i think that's what it's called). Black-water rafting through the Waitomo Caves is also an enjoyable experience.

You should do some luging while you're in Rotorua, that's always a bit of fun. Mud pools etc could be quite cool to show your Aussie friends. Kuirau Park is free, just don't go at night unless you want to be mugged, and don't fall in.

Rainbows End is kinda sad these days. You take a bunch of Aussies there, alls you'll probably get all day is "You call this an Amusement Park?!?!?". Unless you're going to take a bunch of acid before you go, don't bother with Rainbows End.

[MinoXXide]

Oh yea totally rate Waitomo. Must-do.

Rainbow's end i've give a miss. There's heaps of cool shit around Rotorua - Agridome and animal farms and shit are quite amusing. And yea rate the Luge.

If you're in/near Auckland, give the Sky Tower a whirl. Impressive views etc

[l s1l3nt l]

theres still paintballing near the prawn farm in taupo, or at least 6 months ago there was lol

[CT101st]

Palmy north esplanade!

[Mc Fadge]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! Heaps of good places

Has anyone done the Sky Tower jump? Was tempted to last time but I chickened out Freaking mental

[NOL LUV DI]

My brother-in-law does the show at the Agrodome ( try and get his sessions if you can - he has the most fun - and my sister runs a homestay just out of Rotorua if you are looking for accommodation.

http://www.springwaterslodge.co.nz/

They'll help organise things such as visits for you while you are there if you want and Steve is more than happy to put on a barbeque as well.

Rotorua is worth visiting for 2 or three days. Everything from farm shows, to Zorb, to cultural visits, to hotpools and geothermal areas.

Hawkes Bay is not too far away from Taupo and gives you Art Deco and wineries - we'd be happy to have a few of you stay for free if you wished - got a spare room and a couple of long sofas.

Taupo has both the lake and some geothermal areas and hot pools.

I'll dig a few photos out of my last visit to Rotorua.

Owlcatraz is another cool place to visit in the north Island - not only owls etc but the artificial cave is full of glowworms and well worth a visit

[Mc Fadge]

Cheers for the info Nol!

I remember Owlcatraz from when I lived in NZ, great fun

Wineries are a bit out of our appreciation zone I think, eldest of us is 19, but I'll let the others know and see what they think. Huge thanks for the offer, though.

[FaceAche]

Nol, you've got to be one of the nicest, most generous guys i know.

[NOL LUV DI]

Originally Posted by FaceAche

Nol, you've got to be one of the nicest, most generous guys i know.

It's funny thing things you get remembered for.

One of my staff left after a number of years and when leaving what she remembered most was me going out in the pouring rain some years earlier to go and change her flat tyre.

It costs nothing to do nice things for people.

[Brianemone]

Shit, reading this really makes me want to go to Waitomo again. Haven't been since I was a kid. Would love to do some black water stuff as well.

I just drove from Hamilton to Palmerston North and back the other day, it's a beautiful drive, the central plateau is stunning and its great just to get out of the car and go for a little walk.

[TimProvise]

Otara Flea Market FTW .... hahaha

yeah to be honest Rainbow's end is pathetic these days, I live like 5 min drive from it and they still get tonnes of customers but its exactly the same it was 15 years ago