Simon Mehlmann
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Waitomo ▷
Juno Hall Backpackers and Camping
Very cosy and welcoming.
Good and very clean shower and kitchen facilities. Uncomplicated booking. Juno gave us the info to do the cave tour with Spellbound. A thumbs up!
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Amazing craters and volcanic landscape.
Options to increase the skill level on side tracks. Only the last two hours of the descent suck badly.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry
The checkin was super easy.
On the crossing there was not that good of a surround view (no panorama deck), WFI was down for a while. The seats were comfortable, everything clean.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Abel Tasman ▷
Abel Tasman Coast Track
We did the first two sections in one day which was a bit too much.
The scenic views although were awesome. Plan well in advance to get huts. Consider the floating backpackers with BBQ at Anchorage Bay.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
Tongariro Expeditions
Our bus transfer from the finishing point to the starting point was on time so far and on the way we got useful instructions about the track (what to do and what not).
Also a very good map like information sheet.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Waitomo ▷
Waitomo Walkway
Other travellers recommended the walk to us.
I think it could be signposted a bit more clearly since it looks like an 8 and you can take wrong turns easily. But there were great caves to climb in.
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North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Mt Maunganui ▷
Mount Maunganui Summit Walk
We got up very early to see the sunrise from the Mountain top and it was worth all the effort by far.
The city of Tauranga by night and the sunrise was just spectacular.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
Paihia TOP 10 Holiday Park
Very good kitchen and shower facilities, direct access to Mt Maunganui and to the beach.
Price reduction to the hot water salt pools located right next door.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Rental Car Village
We got our 'micro camper van' from one day to the other, that was good, but I do not understand why an additional driver costs $30.
The car was clean so far but had way too much oil.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Capital Gateway Motor Inn
Kitchen and shower facilities were clean but a bit small compared to the number of sites.
Bus transfer to the CBD right from the end of the driveway was comfortable but cost $5 one way though.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Waitomo ▷
Spellbound Ltd
We visited two caves with Spellbound in a group of 8 (max size is 12), and had a nice break with hot drinks and cookies between.
The guide, Mangu, was funny and told us interesting stuff. The atmosphere was very familylike and not commercial at all.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Motueka ▷
Motueka isite Visitor Information Centre
The guy at the i-Site was super friendly and had all the information we needed (very knowledgable).
The number of information flyers there is enormous.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Wellington
Two employees of the centre (first one, then the other), helped us to plan our Abel Tasman Track.
We got to know all we needed to start the track well prepared and confident. Tide chart was very valuable.