NZ advice please...what to see...

[SunnyinDubai]

Need some help from my fellow CC board members - esp the ones from NZ

 

Our cruise stops at Picton, Tauranga and Auckland for 3 days before we leave to come home.

 

At this stage, I think I have Auckland sorted - get the 2 day explorer bus ticket to enjoy the sights in Auckland at our leisure. Intending to do the Bridge climb and sky walk too though my MIL may sit out of those 2 :p Not sure about 3rd day but we are quite content on just enjoying the day on board.

 

Picton - I seem to be encountering mainly walks - and winery visits - am I missing something? Walks are not really a good idea for us as my MIL will not be able to join us and we are not keen on leaving her on the ship on her own all day. Any other ideas of things we can do? Oh kayaking is not an option as hubby is not a great swimmer and so he would not be comfortable doing that.

 

Tauranga - have not looked into it as yet...so any ideas welcome.

 

This is our 1st trip to NZ but will certainly not be our last as we intend to do a longer cruise to NZ in the future with possible drive holiday there too.

 

Thanks. :)

[rugbypopsie]

In Auckland take the ferry over to Davenport on the other side...lovely little village, cute shops and cafes, plus free bus tour around the sites. The cannons which were put in place to repel the Russians were interesting...they were only fired once and it shattered windows right across in Auckland.

 

Tauranga is the port for Rotarua and you can't visit NZ without seeing the gesyers and boiling mud pools..the old health spa which is now a museum set in lovely gardens is interesting too. Hire cars are cheap. Rainbow springs and the Kiwi House are also interesting.

Tourism is well set up in NZ every port has an office and tours running hourly much cheaper than the ship (less than half the ship price) if you want an escorted and organised tour...guaranteed to get you back to the ship on time.

 

 

 

[JacintaH]

Tauranga is the port for Rotarua and you can't visit NZ without seeing the gesyers and boiling mud pools

 

 

Agreed, research Rotorua for both a cultural and geologically interesting day out that you will all enjoy.

[Topaz_M]

I agree about the geysers and mud pools in Rotorua - not to be missed.

 

Google some images for Waiotapu you'll see what I mean. Amazing :)

There are a number of similar attractions in Rotorua.

 

[SunnyinDubai]

Thanks for the suggestions....need to do more research :p

[LuckiePuris]

For Tauranga, as others have said, it's a great idea to visit Rotorua.

 

For our visit, we went to Te Puia and really enjoyed it. From memory, this was one of the only places that had natural geysers (not man made). While we were there, they erupted numerous times throughout the day.

 

Extract from their website: "Te Puia is the premier Māori cultural centre in New Zealand - a place of gushing waters, steaming vents, boiling mud pools and spectacular geysers. Our Māori tradition lives on at Te Whakarewarewa, with our guided tours and attractions, our Māori culture, and our National Carving and Weaving Schools of New Zealand."

 

Another highlight of this port are adventure attractions. We did the zorbing.

 

These are the links for more information on the above:

 

http://www.tepuia.com/

http://www.zorb.com/rotorua

 

We arranged to have a hire car at the port for us on arrival, and returned it to the port at the end of the day. We also hired a GPS unit so driving around was fairly easy.

 

If you are doing your own tour, be sure to allow plenty of time to get back to the ship, especially if driving in peak hour traffic.

[LuckiePuris]

When we were at Picton, we walked around the town looking at the shops and had a relaxing day. There were some nice cafes to have lunch. From memory, there was also an aquarium so that might be of interest to you, especially if you have children.

 

Picton is very picturesque, and a beautiful port. Be sure to get a good viewing spot on deck for sail away.

 

The following link may have some ideas for you:

 

http://www.aatravel.co.nz/new-zealand/Picton_Attractions.html

 

From memory there was a Visitors Centre where they had brochures and tourist information. Perhaps someone on CC can confirm where abouts this was.

 

There are photos of Picton and Rotorua in my Rhapsody Of The Seas gallery: http://travel.webshots.com/album/579938557BWERAT?start=0