Tauranga not Rotorua, NZ

[stanc61]

Can you drive to the top of Mt Maunganui or only walk it?

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Can you drive to the top of Mt Maunganui or only walk it?

 

No. Its a farm park. There is a very pleasant and easy walk around the base at sea level, or you can choose the arduous climb to the top.

Once a year the locals have a wheelbarrow race to the top to claim the title "King of the Mountain":eek:

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Sun Princess is in Tauranga today, giving us a good shot of Mt Maunganui.

 

[CruzinNoony]

We are trying to find a private tour doing the Skyline Skyrides and the luge and perhaps seeing more of the sights of Rotorua. I contacted Carlton Tours and they are booked for the day we will be there (Sun Princess). Can anyone recommend other private tour groups that I can try?:confused:

[stanc61]

We are trying to find a private tour doing the Skyline Skyrides and the luge and perhaps seeing more of the sights of Rotorua. I contacted Carlton Tours and they are booked for the day we will be there (Sun Princess). Can anyone recommend other private tour groups that I can try?:confused:

 

I would seriously consider hiring a car for the day and get them to include a navman (or similar).

[Australian family]

From Cruise weekly Australia:

 

Tauranga, New Zealand

Located around two and a half hours

drive from Auckland on New Zealand’s

North Island, Tauranga is the main centre

of the costal Bay of Plenty region.

The port is located just a five minute walk

from the township, and overlooks a large

marina, beach and the most photographed

island in the country, Mt Manganui.

Tauranga has the relaxed feel of a small

costal township, and boasts some spectacular

scenery, including long stretches of white

sandy beaches, and of cause Mt Manganui.

Active cruisers who want to walk the

mountain’s summit track will not be

disappointed.

It takes about an hour, and even for

those who are fit, can at times be challenging.

But the views are well worth it.

Those who want to experience the

mountain at a more leisurely pace, can also

take a base track stroll around the base of

Manganui - which will take around 45 mins.

The beach also offers the chance for

cruisers to work off some of the buffet

bulge, with diving, kayaking, fishing and

surfing options all available (but it would be

best to have a look into booking these prearrival

to ensure times and availability etc).

The town features a variety of shopping

outlets, as well as a strip of cafes and

eateries and is easily navigatable on foot.

Tarangua is around a two hour drive from

Rotarua and the hugely popular Te Puia

cultural attraction.

Te Puia offers guests the chance to see

geysers and mud pools, as well as

experience Mauri culture with daytime

concerts, traditional Marae’s and the Te

Wananga Whakairo carving school and Te

Rito weaving school.

The price of admission is around

NZ$54pp and includes a cultural show and

guided tour, as well as entry into the Kiwi

house to see NZ’s native flightless bird.

On the way to Rotarua, around one hour

from Tarangua is Te Puke, better known as

kiwi fruit country.

Here visitors can stop off at Kiwi 360, for

an orchard tour in a kiwi shaped cart.

The 30 minute educational tour takes

guests through the vine laden fields, and

beautiful gardens, and costs around

NZ$20pp.

Tours can be booked via the cruise line,

or via the info centre at port.

Guests who want to go it alone can also

do so via the car hire service which is

available at port for around NZ$110 per day.

[MargoK]

We are trying to find a private tour doing the Skyline Skyrides and the luge and perhaps seeing more of the sights of Rotorua. I contacted Carlton Tours and they are booked for the day we will be there (Sun Princess). Can anyone recommend other private tour groups that I can try?:confused:

 

 

Can I suggest you hire a car or join up with others on your Roll Call and hire a van.

 

We are doing this and have hired a van for 12 from http://www.ritepricecarrentals.co.nz/ for the day with the van at the wharf for you to pick and drop off ( a big bonus) we are paid $225 insurance is extra. (The price may have gone up as NZ has just had an increase in GST from 12.5% to 15 %)

 

This is what we are doing:

 

Hells Gate http://www.hellsgate.co.nz/ $30 For Geothermal walk as this is all we will have time (45mins)

Te Wairoa http://www.buriedvillage.co.nz/ Adults $30 Kids $8 Family $68 (1.5hrs including lunch)

Rainbow Springs (Kiwi Experience) or the Luge (next door to each other) http://www.rainbowsprings.co.nz/page/5Home (Prices see Website) and http://www.skylineskyrides.co.nz/ (Prices see Website) (1 hour)

Agrodome http://www.agrodome.co.nz/ 2.30 Farm Show - 1 hr long Adults $26 Kids $13

City Sights will be time dependant

 

It might be a little ambious for some, as we have a trump card in the form of my hubby who is a ex-tour coach driver specialising in the North Island. (we are showing off our wonderful country to a group of Aussies, Americans and Canadians).

 

Hope this helps.

[smalldog]

I've booked a small hire car for the day, and they are bringing it to right outside the port - abcrentals, $95. There are only two of us. I usually enjoy just looking at the town we arrive in, but I've never been to the north island before so I definitely want to see bubbling mud, probably here http://www.waiotapu.co.nz/ about 20 mins south of Rotorua.

 

We also want to look around Rotorua itself, because of advice received previously on this board from Aquarians as follows...

 

"Adjacent to the CBD we have Kuirau park which has a number of boiling mud pools and a small hot lake (too hot for swimming) and nearby there is the historic area Ohinemutu with the magnificent Maori church of St. Faiths looking across the marae to Tamatekapua Wharenui. Ohinemutu is an active thermal area which can pose challenges when one is gardening! Guides are available."

(I'd put a link to the post but I don't know how! sorry! :o)

 

Our ship doesn't sail till 8pm, so if we get back early we'll try some walking around Mt Manganui, as it sounds lovely too.

[Aquarians]

I've booked a small hire car for the day, and they are bringing it to right outside the port - abcrentals, $95. There are only two of us. I usually enjoy just looking at the town we arrive in, but I've never been to the north island before so I definitely want to see bubbling mud, probably here http://www.waiotapu.co.nz/ about 20 mins south of Rotorua.

 

We also want to look around Rotorua itself, because of advice received previously on this board from Aquarians as follows...

 

"Adjacent to the CBD we have Kuirau park which has a number of boiling mud pools and a small hot lake (too hot for swimming) and nearby there is the historic area Ohinemutu with the magnificent Maori church of St. Faiths looking across the marae to Tamatekapua Wharenui. Ohinemutu is an active thermal area which can pose challenges when one is gardening! Guides are available."

(I'd put a link to the post but I don't know how! sorry! :o)

 

Our ship doesn't sail till 8pm, so if we get back early we'll try some walking around Mt Manganui, as it sounds lovely too.

Kia ora,

Just to correct information in quote from cruise weekly Australia posted by Australian family; Te puke which you pass through when travelling from the port at mount Maunganui (Tauranga) is about 15-20 minutes drive from the port, not one hour, and Rotorua is about one hours drive from the port, not two and a half hours!! The 27/10 post by margotK suggests a possible itinerary, with references which may help decide on places to visit.

Aquarians

[smalldog]

No. Its a farm park. There is a very pleasant and easy walk around the base at sea level, or you can choose the arduous climb to the top.

Once a year the locals have a wheelbarrow race to the top to claim the title "King of the Mountain":eek:

 

 

Hi Kiwi Kruzer, what is a farm park?

[MargoK]

Hi Kiwi Kruzer, what is a farm park?

 

Kiwi Kruzer has headed off to Singapore today (Doing Singapore Auckland on the Diamond) so I will answer for him.

 

A farm park, such at the land on 'The Mount', is an area where the public have access, but it is farmed, as in there will be cattle (not sure about sheep - my memory is not so good!) who graze on the grass.

 

So there are locked gates, and one has to get over the fence using the styes provided. It is a very popular for walking, either around the base of "The Mount" or if you are fit, walking up to the top.

 

If you are in a wheelchair, you can obtain a key for the padlocks, so you can get through all the gates. We did the walk around the base one year and the key wouldn't open one of the padlocks, so it was interesting getting me over the stye and then the chair. Back then I was a little more mobile and had a manual chair. Couldn't do that today!

 

We have a number of parks around NZ, where farmers graze stock to keep the grass under control, even within Auckland city, we have Cornwall Park and Mt Eden which are farm parks. The cattle are fine, they are use to people, and if nothing else, they are curious and friendly.;)

[xpcdoojk]

Kia ora,

Thanks for comments. I know what you mean about crowds. Having lived in both Tauranga & Rotorua, for a first time visitor I would liken missing Rotorua to calling at Civitavecchia without seeing Rome!

Aquarians

 

I have to ditto that. Although the ancient ruins at

Civitavechhia are pretty spectacular if you take the time to tour them.

 

Last trip mud pots and the Pig and the Poke (or something similar) this trip, whitewater rafting on the Kaituna and zorbing.

 

jc

[rsquare]

How easy would it be to get to Auckland from Tauranga? Is there frequent train or bus service, or would one have to rent a car. Two and a half hours each way sounds doable for a few hours in Auckland for those of us who are really city kids at heart with no interest in geysers or bubbling mud pools.

[MargoK]

How easy would it be to get to Auckland from Tauranga? Is there frequent train or bus service, or would one have to rent a car. Two and a half hours each way sounds doable for a few hours in Auckland for those of us who are really city kids at heart with no interest in geysers or bubbling mud pools.

 

 

There are regular bus services, but probably too slow a trip for what you would need. Stopping at small towns on the way etc.

 

Car rental is the way to go - I have used Rite Price Rentals, as they deliver vehicles to the Port which is a real time save http://www.ritepricecarrentals.co.nz/

 

Driving to Auckland is doable - but a long day, and the traffic in Auckland can be madness (I know - I am in it everyday!!) And I assume your cruise does call into Auckland.

 

A better suggestion is perhaps to head down to Lake Taupo. Mind you I am biased as it is our favourite spot. http://www.greatlaketaupo.com/

 

Tauranga and Rotorua are not all mud pools and geysers. http://www.rotoruanz.com/transport/cruise

 

I am sure other Kiwis on the board will have more suggestions for you.

[BrusselsGirl07]

We were there in December/January last year (the Christmas/New Year's cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas 2009). We booked a private tour with Learning Journeys:

 

http://www.learningjourneys.co.nz/index.php/groups-topmenu-33/tour-groups-topmenu-66

 

They were excellent, and this is what we did:

"Here’s the itinerary. It’s tight, giving you about one hour at each site if we get away by 8.30. If it were later we’d have to cut something out. There are lots of minor attractions en route, a waterfall, kiwi-fruit orchard, hot stream foot bath. Fitting these in would depend on getting away earlier than 8.30.

0830 Leave Tauranga for Rotorua via a portion of Tauranga’s beautiful coastline

1015 Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland: tour of multi-coloured terraces and hot springs. See Lady Knox geyser in action if arrive by 1015

1145 Te Puia: Guided tour of geysers, mudpools, kiwi-house (cultural features if you have time)

1315 Scenic drive to Blue and Green lakes.

1345 Buried village: Explore reconstructed and archaeological sites

1445 Set off back to Tauranga

1600 Back at ship

Michele was our guide and she was excellent. We fitted in everything above with lots of time, and we did not have to worry about a thing. I would recommend them!!

[BrusselsGirl07]

I forgot to say, she also took us for a drive around Tauranga, and showed us the beaches, town and coastline, so we did not feel like we missed out on seeing the port area.

[Aquarians]

We were there in December/January last year (the Christmas/New Year's cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas 2009). We booked a private tour with Learning Journeys:

 

http://www.learningjourneys.co.nz/index.php/groups-topmenu-33/tour-groups-topmenu-66

 

They were excellent, and this is what we did:

 

"Here’s the itinerary. It’s tight, giving you about one hour at each site if we get away by 8.30. If it were later we’d have to cut something out. There are lots of minor attractions en route, a waterfall, kiwi-fruit orchard, hot stream foot bath. Fitting these in would depend on getting away earlier than 8.30.

 

0830 Leave Tauranga for Rotorua via a portion of Tauranga’s beautiful coastline

1015 Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland: tour of multi-coloured terraces and hot springs. See Lady Knox geyser in action if arrive by 1015

1145 Te Puia: Guided tour of geysers, mudpools, kiwi-house (cultural features if you have time)

1315 Scenic drive to Blue and Green lakes.

1345 Buried village: Explore reconstructed and archaeological sites

1445 Set off back to Tauranga

1600 Back at ship

 

Michele was our guide and she was excellent. We fitted in everything above with lots of time, and we did not have to worry about a thing. I would recommend them!!

kia ora,

Rsquare, most cruise ships calling at Tauranga are going to Auckland next stop or have just come from there. Does yours call at Auckland. Doing it from Tauranga you will have very little time, and being NZ's largest city you may have to contend with traffic delays (I was born & grew up there!). .

The above looks a good itinerary to do from Tauranga, although if you see Wai-o-tapu (one of my favourites) bear in mind that Te Puia also has a geo thermal area.

Aquarians

[rsquare]

There are regular bus services, but probably too slow a trip for what you would need. Stopping at small towns on the way etc.

 

Car rental is the way to go - I have used Rite Price Rentals, as they deliver vehicles to the Port which is a real time save http://www.ritepricecarrentals.co.nz/

 

Driving to Auckland is doable - but a long day, and the traffic in Auckland can be madness (I know - I am in it everyday!!) And I assume your cruise does call into Auckland.

 

A better suggestion is perhaps to head down to Lake Taupo. Mind you I am biased as it is our favourite spot. http://www.greatlaketaupo.com/

 

Tauranga and Rotorua are not all mud pools and geysers. http://www.rotoruanz.com/transport/cruise

 

I am sure other Kiwis on the board will have more suggestions for you.

 

Margo, many thanks for the information. I checked driving time from Tauranga to Auckland with Google maps, and they quote about 2 hours and 40 minutes, which is wearing but doable, given that we have a 12-hour port call at Tauranga. My problem is that I have never driven a RHD car, and am a little apprehensive at the thought. Is there a website with schedules for the bus line that you mentioned?

 

Incidentally, yes we do have a 13-hour port call at Auckland, but I suspect that it is still not enough time to see all that is there. Ideally, I'd like to see the downtown area, go through some historical houses like Alberton and Highwic, visit the Transport Museum, take a ferry to Devonport and walk around, and see some suburban areas like Remuera. I'm a bigger fan of the built environment than of any of nature's wonders, so the outdoors aspects of Tauranga, Rotorua and Lake Taupo leave me cold compared to the chance to do some of the things that we will have missed on our Auckland call.

[MargoK]

Margo, many thanks for the information. I checked driving time from Tauranga to Auckland with Google maps, and they quote about 2 hours and 40 minutes, which is wearing but doable, given that we have a 12-hour port call at Tauranga. My problem is that I have never driven a RHD car, and am a little apprehensive at the thought. Is there a website with schedules for the bus line that you mentioned?

 

Incidentally, yes we do have a 13-hour port call at Auckland, but I suspect that it is still not enough time to see all that is there. Ideally, I'd like to see the downtown area, go through some historical houses like Alberton and Highwic, visit the Transport Museum, take a ferry to Devonport and walk around, and see some suburban areas like Remuera. I'm a bigger fan of the built environment than of any of nature's wonders, so the outdoors aspects of Tauranga, Rotorua and Lake Taupo leave me cold compared to the chance to do some of the things that we will have missed on our Auckland call.

 

 

Here are some websites to check out:

 

http://www.intercity.co.nz/

 

http://nakedbus.com/bus-timetables/

 

http://www.bus.nz.com/

 

I had a quick look at the timetables, most do not give you much time in Auckland.

 

You will be kept busy during your 13hrs in Auckland, and should achieve quite a few of you options.