Come and Explore New Zealand - north island

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Zorbonauts, Rotorua   Zorbonauts, Rotorua   Zorbonauts, Rotorua

Invented in NZ and only 10km from Rotorua centre, Zorbing has become the latest adrenaline rush. The 11ft high transparent inflatable ball allows you to ride inside! Yes and its fun. Do unaided or 'Zorbit' will see you harnessed inside and rolled head over heels down the hill. You can also 'Zydro' where you can go solo or with a friend, with water inside. The ride lasts longer than you think and once you've done it once you want to go ahead and do it again!

rotorua rose garden   rotorua rose garden   rotorua rose garden

Rotorua Government Gardens have a croquet and bowling green, the soldiers Memorial and a beautiful rose garden. All with the lovely Museum as a back drop.

rotorua museum   rotorua museum

The Tudor Style Rotorua Museum holds many Maori artifacts including many bargeboards from 1860. You can also hear and see how the building was restored, with a climb to the top of the roof.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Park   Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Park

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a fasinating place to visit. Nothing can prepare you for the smells or sights of the amazing colours from the minerals given off by the volcanic land. Wonder round the area and see the daily erruption of the Lady Knox Geyser.

lady knox geyster   lady knox geyster

Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily to the height of 20 meters. See the raw beauty and sheer power that mother nature offers.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley   Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Waimangu Volcanic Valley is the newest geothermal system in the world to appear as a direct result of a volcanic erruption, which happened in 1886. It has the largest hot water spring and the most beautiful and colourful crevices. Yes it is another smelley place, but it is so amazing to see and experience. Along with the unusual plants that grow.

orakei korako   orakei korako

Known as The Hidden Valley, Orakei Korako is between Taupo and Rotorua. Unbelievable colours, bubbling hot springs, gushing geysers. No wonder it was used by the BBC Natural History Series - Walking With Dinosaurs.

huka falls   huka falls

Wairakei Park is the home to the famous Huka Falls. The blue colour is created from the clear water reflecting the blue sky. 10km north of Taupo, the Waikato River which is normally spread to 100 meters wide, is channelled through a narrow 20 meter narrow chute before hurtling over 11 meters of cliff face to the river below.

craters of the moon   craters of the moon

Craters of the Moon is an active geothermal field. A terrain filled with exposed steam vents that are constantly shifting, collapsing and reforming which gives the desolate moonscape look. No plants live here. The environment is to hot and noxious. Until 1950 the area was rather dormant. Then a power station was constructed 2000 meters north and suddenly the craters became more active, shifting and simmering clouds of swirling steam into the air.

lake taupo   lake taupo

Lake Taupo, 619sqkm is New Zealands largest lake. It was formed by a volcanic explosion some 20,000+ years ago. White pumice beaches and shettered rocky coves surround the lake. On a clear day you can see the snowcapped mountains of Mt. Tongariro and Mt. Ngauruhoe.

new plymouth coastal walk   new plymouth marina, mt.taranaki

New Plymouth is situated around the only deep water port on the western coast. The area is known for dairying, engineering and marine life. Its long hours of sunshine, high rain fall, volcanic soil and mild climate produce many beautiful forests, parks and reserves. New Plymouth is also famous for Mt.Taranaki, the Mt.Fuji lookalike was used for the backdrop to the film, The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise.

Te Mata Peak   Te Mata Peak

Between Hastings and the eastern coastline, Te Mata Peak is a mountain ridge rising to 1309ft. Maori legend states it is the body of a chef who died trying to show his loyality to his pending wife by accepting her challenge to eat his way through the land. The views from the ridge show the different colours and textures of the land.

Napier   napier

Napier is an elegant city. A memorial to the 1931 earthquarke that destroyed most buildings and many people. It was rebuilt earthquake-proof with the fashionable Art Deco style with delicate pastels and bold lines.

owhiro bay   owhiro bay

Take a coastal drive round Wellington, from Oriental Parade to Owhiro Bay. Watch out for the little penguins crossing the road. Delight in the surfers and take a rest in one of the sheltered bays whilst seeing the clear water lap against the shore with the snow capped mountains from the south island in the distance. A truely calming place.

Wellington Cable Car   Wellington Botanic Garden

Wellington Cable Car takes the short journey to the hill suburbs, where you get great views over the city and access to the Botanic Gardens. Although short, you can feel the steep slope and your heart beat hard as the carriages slowly roll back a little, as it restarts its climb after one of the two stops on the way. The trip is cheap and worth the ride. The wonderful gardens are a mix of protected conifers, plants and native forests. In addition there is also the delightful Lady Norwood Rose Garden. After you can take the slow walk down the hill side or return on the cable car.

wellington city   wellington city

A vibrant and artful city, Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. Sat on the edge of the harbour and surrounded by rolling hills, it has stylish shops, a cafe culture and holds many national treasures in its varst number of museums and libraries.