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On our way to Rotorua, we decided to stop at Mount Maunganui for a night. Commonly known as The Mount, this small town resembles a little of Surfers Paradise at the Gold Coast, Australia, except that it is less crowded and not so commercialised. The Mount is a popular place for joggers and climbers.

Doesn't this look like a great place to retire? Ocean Beach is a great place to lay back... The sidewalk cafes along Marine Parade are a favourite hangout for the locals. Unlike the Surfers Paradise in Gold Coast, you get more locals here than tourists. Take a drive and check out the grand, luxurious houses along Ocean beach, some of them are the most impressive in the North Island. For sumptuous breakfasts, tasty sandwiches, fresh salads and aromatic coffee, we recommend the award-winning café, SideTrack Pacifica. This is definitely a favourite among the locals all-day long, you can simply tell by the regulars relaxing in al fresco style along the walkway. Don’t leave the town without savouring a double cone from the famous Copenhagen ice-cream parlour along the Marine Parade. If you are deprived for some retail therapy or can't wait to buy your New Zealand gift, take a short drive in your rental car to Tauranga.

Next in our itinerary in New Zealand, North Island is Paihia and a day trip to Far North, Cape Reinga. You will experience the unique side of New Zealand here.

Paihia in the Bay of Islands is one quaint seaside village that attracts lots of tourists and locals. This is the hub for all tours/cruises in the region. We spend two days here and it is nice just driving around enjoying the pristine beaches and clear blue waters in the North Island. What is memorable for us in the Northland was our day trip (12 hours!) to the Far North, Cape Reinga on a 4x4 wheeler (converted from a military truck!) and we must agree that this is the best of natural New Zealand in the North Island. Besides the Kauri Forests, the highlights of the trip are the Te Paki sand dunes and the long flat stretch beautiful coastline of Ninety Mile Beach of the North Island.

This is a 'must-do' and 'must-see' if you get a chance to visit the Bay of Islands and the Far North. The sand-boarding experience at the Te Paki sand dunes is something we enjoyed thoroughly. I must warn you that it is an aerobic activity!

One word of caution: private cars are not allowed on 90mile beach unless you plan to get a tow truck to your rescue!

Coromandel

Speaking of beaches, Coromandel, North Island has lots to offer. Compared to the Northland, the coastline in Coromandel is more rustic and remote, complemented with the rugged forests. This is the rugged coast of the North Island. Due to time factor, we only managed to visit Hahei and Hot Water Beach.

If you are in this area, please don't miss the gorgeous Cathedral Cove. We could only catch a glimpse of it as it is challenging taking the full trail with Clayton on our backs! Cathedral Cove is easily accessible by walkway from Hahei. Bring a bottle of water with you if you are doing the walk. You do need few days to see and do more here in the Coromandel. In my opinion, it is more local, less touristy, more untouched. Your trip to Hahei is not complete if you haven't experience the hot spring pool at The Hot Water Beach.

Alex is having fun in his hot spring pool! The Hot Water Beach is a natural hot water spa two hours either side of low tide. You can dig your own spot and soak yourself in the hot spring pool.

Check out the low tide times with the reception of your stay or any tourist information centre in the area.

If you are looking for a nice place to eat, look no further. The Hot Wave Café, situated a few minutes walk to Hot Water Beach serves nice lunches. You even get live entertainment on Sundays. It’s a popular place with the locals. There are probably more dining options in Whitianga, especially along the beachfront. To get here from Hahei, the quickest way is to board a ferry which only takes 10 minutes. It’s a lot further if you drive. We had a very nice dinner at The Fireplace, a great waterfront restaurant with a cosy courtyard, fresh seafood, unique selections of wood-fired pizzas and most of all, friendly service. Wanna read more about attractions at the North Island? Find the best deal, compare prices and read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor

For us, our North Island holiday began in Auckland. This would be a good base if you are planning to tour only the North Island. Other than being known as a big city, Auckland, New Zealand does have a lot to offer – from first class accommodations, a busy night scene and a host of popular attractions and leisure activities.</p> <p align=" />It is easy to move around without a rental car in New Zealand when in Auckland. Though I prefer the shopping scene in Wellington city to Auckland, the specialty shops on Ponsonby are my personal favourite.
The main shopping area (the starting point for visitors) is Queen Street which is lined with all sorts of stores. I like Ponsonby. There are a few nice shops and lots of cool restaurants. This is one suburb you must not miss when visiting the North Island!The shop that attracted me most is this big, colourful shop called 'The Garden Party'.

The shop has a large mural outside and it's hard to miss it when you are walking along Ponsonby Road.

It stocks lots of cute and unusual finds. This will be a wonderful place to find a New Zealand gift to take home. We had lunch in Prego along Ponsonby road. This is a popular Italian restaurant and the food is simply delicious. Don’t forget to end your meal with their famous tiramisu. If you are a burger lover, don't miss the delicious patties at Burger Fuel, a burger-chain found only in New Zealand. Ponsonby is known for its host of eateries but don’t miss out on the specialty design stores and boutiques.

If you are all out to spend your money shopping in Auckland, New Zealand, head to High Street, Newmarket and even Parnell.
Newmarket, a favourite fashion district for locals, offers mainstream shopping and here, you will also find Two Double Seven Shopping Centre, a 5-storey building. Parnell, a short drive from Auckland city is a nice place to spend your afternoon. You will be quick to notice a yuppie crowd and and a whole lot of nice restaurants and cafes too.

For lunch, we tried Mink, a cosy and casual cafe with great New Zealand food and nice coffee.

Parnell village is popular with visitors. The Chocolate Boutique Cafe is my favourite. Don't miss the Hoglund Art Glass Gallery if you like fine glass art. An item from here makes a great New Zealand gift. You can get here on or The Explorer. Alternatively, you can take an easy drive if you have a rental car in New Zealand.

Shopping at High Street-Vulcan Lane can be an expensive one. I spotted a few shops stocking Korean/Japanese street fashion. You can also find some international labels in the fashion hot stops along High Street. If you are after some New Zealand fashion labels, check out MMooch and The Untouched World. WORLD in High street and Ponsonby is a nice (but expensive) shop to browse. This designer boutique carries a few international labels and some nice collectibles.

When it comes to dining in Auckland, you are spoilt with choices. Just take a walk along the Viaduct Harbour and the options awaits you. The restaurants and bars in the area come alive in the evenings.

Tired of shopping? How about taking a drive to Mount Eden?

 

 

If you are familiar with online hotel bookings, check the new look at lastminute.com.au. I use this site alot when I need to make hotel reservations in Australia or New Zealand. But I must say that the new look on the website is alot better than the previous one. It's attractive with nice pictorial icons, modern, contemporary, inviting and appealing to anyone surfing. Anyways, lastminute.com.au launched the secret hotels feature a year ago and this week, it is celebrating its first birthday. To kick off this birthday bash, you can to grab a top class hotel for only $1! The hotels will be available in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast and Palm Cove. Just check the website on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and you can a chance to win this fabulous deal! Mystery times will be between 2 - 6pm so be sure to check during these times!

The South Island - the place that many people have been raving about whenever New Zealand is mentioned.I always think many people are biased about their opinions when they make comparison between the North and the South.

The moment we went on set sail on The Lynx to Picton (the entrance to the South), we understand why.

In South Island we stayed in:

Joya Studio, Nelson

Hapuku Lodge, Kaikoura

Stonehurst Accommodation, Christchurch

Glenfern Villas, Franz Josef

The Westhaven, Fox Glacier

The Heritage, Queenstown

Shotover Lodge, Queenstown

Garden Court Suites and Apartments, Queenstown

Oakridge Spa and Pool Resort, Wanaka

The Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook

Fino-Casementi Scenic Circle Hotel, Christchurch

 

In our 16 days in the South, we visited:

Nelson, Christchurch , Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, Queenstown, Te Anau/Milford Sound, Wanaka and Mount Cook

We wish the list was longer but... like most travellers, there's always a budget and time constraint and we just have to make choices and focus on certain key regions. Picton sits at the stunning Marlborough Sounds. The ferry ride is more than just a cross over. The experience is enjoyable and the views - indescribable. To me, this surpasses any waterfront cruises.

The Lynx is a popular ferry. We noticed many families and groups. You can simply enjoy the winds (very strong) at the deck or sit back in the restaurant for a sumptuous meal. Or else, have some fun on the game machines! This is a great way to enjoy a true new Zealand cruise.

Upon arrival, we picked our new car in Picton and headed off for the Queen Charlotte Drive. This is a popular scenic route if you are travelling to Nelson via a rental car in new zealand. Just be warned that the road is long, narrow and winding but it's worth the drive. Highly recommended!

You will be rewarded by the spectacular views of Marlborough Sounds. Just keep your eyes on the road while you enjoy too! Do allow some time for stops to enjoy the beauty of the South. It gives the driver a rest too.

Months before the trip, I have researched and looked at loads of New Zealand websites. As mum to one year old Clayton, my top requirement in my search for New Zealand accommodation is a place that can enable me to do some simple cooking.

For me, it’s important to sleep comfortably when on a vacation. This must, of course, be accompanied with good location at a good price. Then comes facilities and quality standards which also play an important role when making choices.

The places we slept in New Zealand, North Island are:

The Duxton Hotel, Auckland

The Sebel Suites, Auckland

The Ascott Metropolis, Auckland

The Crows Nest Villas, Opua

Cathedral Cove Villas, Hahei

Oceanside Twin Tower Resort, Mount Maunganui

Troutbeck Cottage, Rotorua

Baycrest Lodge, Lake Taupo

The Bolton Hotel, Wellington

New Zealand, North Island is made up of the following regions:

Auckland

Northland & Corormandel

Waikato & Bay of Plenty

Rotorua, Taupo & Tongariro National Park

Gisborne & Hawkes Bay

Taranaki & Wanganui

Wellington

 

Of which, we could only cover:

Auckland

Northland & Coromandel

Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty

Rotorua & Taupo

Wellington

 

Unless you have time (like more than a month), you can’t possibly visit every region in the North Island. Remember that New Zealand is a big country. Therefore, you would need some smart and careful planning to enjoy your holiday in New Zealand. That's where the New Zealand road map comes in handy!

If you are not the adventurous sort and prefer to see all the popular highlights in New Zealand, I suggest you join a package tour. Or, the better option would be to plan your trip according to your interests and liking with the help of a New Zealand road map. Focus on certain regions and activities. This way, your New Zealand holiday will be more memorable and you will not end up tiring yourself with too much activities.

Opposed to the comments we received on the North Island from many of our friends, we find that the North Island has its own beauty and characteristics which the South Island may not deliver. Before you do anything, don’t forget to pick up a New Zealand road map.

If you are a shopaholic, there are many places where you can pick up a New Zealand gift to take home. Whatever your travel options are - budget or luxury, you will be spoilt for choices, here in New Zealand, North Island.

Look at these words. Do they sound familiar? Sheep, Kiwi fruit, mountains, oceans, alps, picturesque landscape, sunshine, idyllic beaches, blue skies, the All Blacks, silver fern, wine country, ski fields! New Zealand is a big country that is made up of the North and South Island. And yes, you definitely, definitely need a road map when you move around in a rental car in New Zealand! It has lots to offer to any person, of any budget, from any country, for any age and for whatever length of travel. This is an ideal place to sit back and indulge. It is also a great place to satisfy your adrenaline rush and get active. This is our first family holiday in a rental car in New Zealand since our one year old Clayton came along. It's a long wait for a travel bug like me. Months before the trip, I spent countless hours researching and planning for our itinerary. I checked many websites, travel guides and books. Spoke to lots of friends, locals and relatives. Take a New Zealand cruise, hire a rental car in New Zealand. Shop for a New Zealand gift. It's one place you won't get bored. There is something for everyone. Anytime. Anyplace. I'll be sharing with you our experiences as a first-timer in this beautiful country travelling in a rental car: • where we slept (20 different beds in 28 days!) • where we ate • where we travelled • what we did You will also find out more: • Our recommendations on accommodations • Great yummy restaurants/cafes • Fun things to do (especially if you have small children) • Baby-friendly places • Shopping, shopping, shopping • Popular attractions • Useful tips (when you travel with a little one) • Off the beaten path experiences

This blog unveils my passion as an avid traveller. Before becoming a mum, travelling was easy, it was just packed for myself and off I went. But since entering motherhood in Oct 2004 to an active boy, travelling presented a new and refreshing experience. Some parents think it is a waste of money to bring little ones along for vacations as they may not remember those fond memories when they grow up. But you know, it's not about remembering, but the journey and experience that is magical and meaningful. My first flight experience was at 21 and though it was a business trip, it was the birth of this passion. Travelling expands my horizon, refreshes my mind and rejuvenates my entire being, whether for business or travel. So this blog will focus on my favourites, sentiments and feedback on accommodations, restaurants, adventures and encounters. It is all based on my personal experience plus many more things we observe along the way. I would also post on tips, resources, reviews and opinions on travel-related matters and these may not be my very own. But one thing for sure, it continues to unveil life and its passions, experiences and more... Enjoy!