purplekat99
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Oamaru ▷
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
I loved it!
Yes, it was a little overpriced and the commentator when I was there wasn't the best, but I saw sooo many penguins! Was really fun watching them all "fall" onto the shore. If you want to save a few bucks, try your luck in the parking lot when everyone is leaving. Those penguin warning signs don't lie! Had to avoid a few on the drive out.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Apex Rental Cars
When I called from Australia (yay 1800# in Aus to make a res for NZ!!!) the agent on the phone was beyond helpful, especially since I was doing a number of car hires during the summer hols.
After sorting out my longest hire, I threw caution to the wind and asked about a short hire from Picton to Greymouth, two smaller stops. Talk about helpful! Since I had booked a long hire, the agent just coupled it together, so I didn't have to pay any extra charges for the short hire during the busy season. They were my last hire during my travels and I would def. use them again on my return! Oh, and cars were great too:-).
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
A great afternoon on the water!
If you love albatross, this is for you. Didn't see any penguins or dolphins on my trip, but it's nature, so what can you do. Every trip is different.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Otago Museum
This museum was massive!!!
Did the walking tour of the town and by the time I got here, I had to run through it all (still had like 2 hours there and that wasn't enough time!). Great information about New Zealand and Otago.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
Fab museum that I went in with no expectation (the best kind!).
Great information about the Otago region. A wealth of knowledge.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Napier ▷
Marineland
This place was a little depressing.
I only went to take my picture with a little blue penguin and that was fantastic! Otherwise, not really much going on.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry
Was a walk on passanger for this boat and service was fantastic.
Check it in WLG was very airport like (minus security, of course!) and the ride was beautiful. Plenty of places to find a seat and watch the scenary both inside and out.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Punakaiki ▷
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
Beautiful and free!
Right on the main West Coast highway, you can't miss it!
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
Tranz Alpine Train
I loved it!
Wish the outdoor car was bigger as I went on a beautful day and the car was packed the whole time. Met and exceeded my expectations.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Museum of New Zealand
Great museum!
Try to avoid during school holidays, but still a great national museum. Covers everything about the country.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Napier ▷
Art Deco Walks and Tours
Fantastic tour, especially if you are interested in Art Deco.
And earthquakes! A great introduction to a very interesting town.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Orewa ▷
Waiwera Infinity Thermal Spa Resort
Went twice while living in AKL.
first on a weekend and it was packed, but stayed in the more adult pools and it was fine. Then went on a weekday and it was less crowded. A bit expensive, but I like the movie pools! An easy bus or car ride from town.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Geraldine ▷
Rangitata Rafts Ltd
Fantastic trip!
Loved that they only do one trip a day as I didn't feel rushed at all, which is huge. Plus, they do on the river training, so you get to jump right onto the water quickly. A must for any rafting fan in NZ.
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South Island ▷ Kaikoura Region ▷ Kaikoura ▷
Seal Swim Kaikoura
Fantastic morning out!
I dove right in with the seals as I wanted to make the most of my expirence instead of holding onto the board the boat provided. Fantastic facitilies and great staff.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Agrodome
Super touristy, super fun!
I did the show and tour and had a great time. I liked that they didn't shy away from saying where the animals were headed eventually. I sent my mother, who is a teacher, to the show and she loved it! Execellent at incorporating fun and information.
Thanks for your kind review :)
Ashley Aitken
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga ▷
Cathedral Cove Sea Kayaking
Had such a great time the first time, took my sister and did it again!
Both times, the guides were fantastic. Love the local (NZ) guides. Such a beautiful area of the country, can't miss!
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Wellington Cable Car
Super fun!
Bought one way tickets to take the cable car up, but walked down. Great, beautiful walk down. Great way to save some cash.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Interislander Ferry
Beautiful ride.
Drove the car on this ferry and everything was great. The print out from the website didn't have the date of travel on it but they sent a txt the morning of departure! Very handy.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Was raining and while not the best on a rainy day (most of it is outside) still had a lovely time running from attraction to attraction.
Beautiful grounds.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Skyline Gondola Queenstown
Extreme views for the visitors who aren't into extreme activies!
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Fox Glacier ▷
Fox Glacier Guiding
My sister and I did the full day trek and had a fantastic time, once in a lifetime for us!
And the glacier water that we drank was the best water I have ever tasted in my life! I filled my bottle before we left.
I sent my parents on the half day hike in the morning as they are less athletic and the guide kept rushing them as he had to get back for an afternoon hike and actually left them on the trail for another guide to pick up. They sat for an hour before another guide came and picked them up and added them to her tour as it was a midday tour and the guide wasn't in a rush. So the moral: do a midday hike if you are less athletic. the guides rush less!
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
Explore More
Hired one of the station wagons for when the whanu came to visit as I had seen the cars on the road and they were always new and clean.
They were great! When I paid the remainder of my deposit in AKL, I asked for a bus ticket to the airport as I was meeting the fam there to fly down to CHC and pick up the car and they much obliged. Ace! Plus, they picked us up from our hotel (luggage and all) in CHC. Hardly anyone rents station wagons in NZ and they do! Perfect for the family who's not into camping, but needs the space.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Skyline Luge Queenstown
Super fun!
A great way to break up the drive from Te Anau to Franz but are not interested in extreme thrills. The view is extreme enough!
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Wellington Parliament Tour
Fantastic tour, a must for all govenment buffs.
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Waitomo ▷
Black Water Rafting Labyrinth Tour
Freakin' fantastic!
I love only-in-NZ activies and this has to be one of them. It had it all: repelling, tubing, swimming, jumping all while in a cave! The 6 hour tour is maybe 30 minutes too long, but I wouldn't do any other tour but this one!
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
The Dominion Post Ferry
Even though Wellington is on the water, there are no commerical boat rides.
You can kayak or take the boat to the South Island, but that is it. Your only option is the Dominion Post Ferry which is a fun ride. Just goes across the bay and there isn't much to see on the other side. Good activity if it's a beautiful day and you have nothing else to do.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Museum of Wellington City & Sea
I love museums that I know nothing about and then they surprise me.
This was one of them! I really enjoyed this place. Being free also helps. A great place to kill a few hours on a rainy day.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Ace Rental Cars
Rented from them a few times for weekend trips and they were perfecly acceptable.
Older cars, which is why I wouldn't rent for them for long trips, but weekends in and around AKL, they were great. Super friendly and great price.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
InterCity Coachlines
Took them a bunch of times all over the country when I just wanted to get from point A to point B and they never disapointed.
Always on time, always clean. Some drivers give colour commentary and on my drive from AKL to WLG, Mt. Ruapahu had just errupted a few days prior, so the driver pulled over on the side of the road so all us tourist could get out and take pictures. Plus, the farther in advance you book, the cheaper the ticket! Scored AKL to ROT for like $10, booking 2 months in advance.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Tikitere ▷
Raftabout
Fantastic trip while on the river, I just thought it would be longer.
Didn't feel rushed, but over too quickly!
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu ▷
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Lady Knox is not as impressive as Old Faithful (and I thought it was super touristy that they put something in it, so it goes off at the same time every day) but Wai-O-Tapu has some great walks.
That is a must for those interested in geothermal activity.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Auckland Museum
Fantastic introduction to NZ!
And a steal (in AKL) for $5! Had a great time and learned a lot.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
Cape Reinga Day Tour
Part of the Stray package.
Loved the outdoor stuff but could have done without the tourist shop stops. Sandboarding and driving along 90 mile beach was fantastic!
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Airbus Express
Love the Airbus!
A great welcome to NZ with always friendly drivers who will answer any questions you may have. I just wish they would stick with a route. I feel like they change it all the time. Refer to a map before disembarking. Thankfully the drivers know it all.