S Black
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Te Puia Guided Tour
Overpriced of course, had a hangi lunch for $17 which was good.
Maori cultural stuff should be free, paid for by the government. We could not afford it like many families - it is expensive to go there.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Interislander Ferry
Beautiful scenery, try and go on a nice day.
Could put the playground where the parents can see out though so all can be satisfied. Playground is in the basement!
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu ▷
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Amazing!
We did this at dusk. It was our first contact with hot springs and we were so very amazed. Didn't really need to go to Te Puia afterwards as it was too commercial in comparison.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Abel Tasman ▷
Split Apple Rock beach access track
Beautiful!
Had to park at the top of the hill with the motorhome and walk down. Not too bad at all - had baby in backpack and five year old walked. Walking track is well maintained.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Kawhia ▷
Kawhia Hot Springs (Te Puia)
We drove for ages to get here but missed the springs due to the tide.
If you're going to bother going all the way here, be early! 2 hours before low tide and not much later than low tide itself. You will get hot water 1 hour before and 1 hour after. You also need to walk over a large sand dune before you get to the beach. It's at the end of ocean beach road, 5 -10 minutes past the town (nothing was open at 4pm by the way). It's meant to be good, just be on time!
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Kawhia ▷
Oparau Roadhouse and Bills Backpackers
Nice outlook, cafe stops cooking at 630 and not much else around for food.
We had an unhealthy meal of pies and fried chicken (not free or discounted despite being the last remaining from the day- we wouldn't normally expect otherwise except quite a few people have mentioned free food.) They have quite a lot of grocery items and petrol. Good free spot tho not much around apart from the hot water beach.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
GO Rentals
Clean, helpful, great car, organised, understanding when we were late, helpful with our 2 little kids.
Definitely use again.
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The boat trip was great, I'm glad we went on a perfect weather day.
We saw dolphins which was wonderful and plenty of cute seals. The fish and chips were a nice touch, and helped to entertain our 3 year old. Make sure you take cash if you want a coffee as they don't take cards. We were desperate for a coffee all day. We paid to get the bus out and back with the same company as we were worried about driving the motorhome out to Milford Sound. We wished we had driven though as we had a 3 yr old and 5 yr old and would have preferred to have longer at each stop and to be able to have toilet breaks and entertainment for them. We would have been fine driving. If you do get the bus, especially if you have kids with you, make sure you get to the bus stop early, as we didn't get to sit together and my 3 year old missed out on a seat and therefore a seatbelt, which annoyed me. If you have kids and take the bus take plenty of snacks and maybe something for them to do on the way back.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Portobello ▷
Albatross Viewing at Taiaroa Head Carpark
Saw plenty of albatross flying around.
Didn't pay to go in the centre as felt it was too expensive. Would have liked to have seen the babies though. Also saw heaps of seals on the walk down the hill. If you time it right you can secretely tag along with a small tour group and listen to the information for free as they walk along the boardwalk.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Te Anau Tasman Holiday Parks
Very clean facilities and amenities.
I didn't think the motorhome sites were as close together as some others have felt. We had a nice great spot. The kids loved the playground and jumping pillow. Overall a great campground and easy walking distance to the town. However we only stayed one night as it was $15 for each child over 2. Our price for one night was $80.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Punakaiki ▷
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
Very informative and interesting.
We went twice as the first time was at low tide, so we went the next day at high tide. This is free and we loved it. The walk was easy enough for a 3 year old and she loved it, especially as we cooked up pancakes afterwards.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Westport ▷
Cape Foulwind Walkway
Although the seals aren't super close, they are delightful and free.
We saw plenty of pups playing together in a rock pool and generally being silly, slipping around and play fighting. We even saw a mother feeding her baby on a warm rock. The walk was easy and informative.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Te Anau ▷
Te Anau Wildlife Centre
Don't miss this!
The guided tour at 9.30am was fantastic. The takahe are so special and interesting. The morepork owl and kaka are also really interesting. Entry is by donation and for such an important cause (there are only 240 takahe left). Today was a special kaka picnic party as some kaka are being released into the wild. Children foraged with rangers for kaka foods and made kaka toys. They then decorated the cages with their presents. A wonderful, affordable, and informative morning for our children. You won't see kiwi or kakapo as old reviews suggest. Go at 9.30 as they feed the birds then.