Profile
Julie Norton
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Hahei ▷
Cathedral Cove Walk
Nice easy walk to a gorgeous beach and Cathdral Cove - also a natural waterfall shower on the beach.
Bit tricky if the lower end of the path is out as you have to clamber down a muddy slope to get to the beach - worth it though.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu ▷
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
A great place - not cheap but worth it.
It's like being on another planet, very strange. Arrive in time to see the Lady Knox Geyser if possible (blows at 10.15am).
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Snap Rentals
Excellent price ($35 per day for a 2 berth van) and the van is great, has everything we need and is easy to pull the bed out/put away etc.
Helpful, friendly staff.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Dargaville ▷
Waipoua Forest Camping Area
Lovely site next to a river - you can swim in (if willing to brave the cold!) Can hear lots of kiwi at night.
Very close to all the Kauri walks with magnificent people.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Ahipara Top 10 Holiday Park
Basic facilities but the wow factor of this site is being right on the beach - so close you can watch people surfing from your camper - great views and friendly owners.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Hahei ▷
Hot Water Beach
Try to go before or after the tour buses arrive but once they are gone this is fab - sitting in a hot pool on the beach (we took wine in plastic glasses for added relaxation!!).
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Harrisons Cape Runner
A better alternative to driving yourself.
The bus drive 'Collins' was brilliant - a great source of information and jokes - we laughed all day. Driving on 90 mile beach in a bus is bizarre!
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu ▷
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Campground
For $20 pp you get a site and all facilities including use of the fantastic thermal pools - soo good to sit in a natural hot pool under the stars.
Loses a point though as the kitchen was very poor - small with lots of ants and insects.
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Blenheim ▷
Marlborough Wine Trail
The best way to sample lots of great wine in the Blenheim area.
Splash out on lunch at Highfields (we recommend the platter for 2 - yummy) and get some strawberry icecream on the way from the pick your own place - very good ice cream!
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Museum of New Zealand
Can't believe this is free.
We get bored at museums but this one is different - so many fun and interactive things to do, well worth a visit. While in 'Welly' also take the free parliament tour - on the hour every hour and quite interesting.