Travelling through NZ with my lovely mother.

[Joni]

Whakatane is 1hr south of tauranga.

http://www.waitomo.com/waitomo-glowworm-caves.aspx
(Waitomo Caves is 2 hours south of Auckland, 1 hour south of Hamilton, and 2 hours west of Rotorua. The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are situated 8km along Waitomo Caves Road, off State Highway 3. )

Thank you! Practical stuff like this is what I need.

Re your question on what she likes. She is from Johannesburg, so the ocean is still a novelty for her. So she would love that... she has never seen NZ bush before, so I have no idea if she likes it, because in SA you dont really get anything like that. So I suppose its important to show her that eh?

but Jennie and I take it as a given that you'll both stay with us in Coro

Thank you mate... that would be very special for me!

[tri boy]

Whakatane is the next main town on the east coast, heading sth from Tauranga.
Check www.whiteisland.co.nz
Waitomo is just sth of Hamilton www.waitomo.co.nz
Otrohanga, (close to Waitomo has a good Kiwi house, and the town sells itself as "Kiwiana".

[Cajun]

Thank you! Practical stuff like this is what I need.

Re your question on what she likes. She is from Johannesburg, so the ocean is still a novelty for her. So she would love that... she has never seen NZ bush before, so I have no idea if she likes it, because in SA you dont really get anything like that. So I suppose its important to show her that eh?

Sweet as let me know if ya want me to be a bit of a tour guide around Tauranga area if you wish.

[Her_C4]

You know you and your mum are welcome to say here on ya' way through eh?

[sunhuntin]

the glow worms are a must if you can make the time. they are so cool. i dont recall much, but part of it is a boat ride, with maybe a little walking as well.

wellington zoo should have tuatara and kiwi. te papa definately will, but they wont be alive. te papa also has a britten. auckland zoo is meant to be great, but i havent been since i was a kid. kelly tarltons?

rotorua... take her to the mud pools. theres also an outdoor thermal pool, which is great if she has sore feet. they come out clean as a newborn baby, lol. paradise valley [not far from roto] has wallabies, lions, rainbow trout. you can buy pellets and feed them. the wallabies will eat from your hand. huka falls is near there also. not much of a walk to see them, but the loos are user pays [just a warning to pee before you get there!]

theres not really much at taupo, but its great for buying souviners. be prepared to pay the price, though!

[MisterD]

I'd highly recommend some time in the Marlbrough Sounds (even if it's just a short sea-kayak out of Picton) and a bit of wine tasting around Blenheim is a great cheap way to spend a few hours...it's about another hour and a half on down to Kaikoura.

[Joni]

Thanks guys, this thread has already given me some great ideas... and I have even gained a tour guide in Tauranga!

So Taupo does not have much going for it except a big lake? and the falls? Oh and of course the fact that scrivy lives there... hmm, maybe we should skip that city then!

Sunhuntin - Im thinking of taking her to the mud pools, the geyser, and if money allows spoiling her to a luxury mud spa treatment as well... in Rototua of course.

[NZsarge]

Take her through the forgotten hiway on the way down the north island.

[Blackbird]

So Taupo does not have much going for it except a big lake? and the falls?

Yes it does Jo! The Aratiatia Rapids just off the road to Rotorua, about 15 minutes from Taupo. Between Taupo and Aratiatia, you can also drive up to the lookout overlooking the steamfield which supplies the geothermal power station. More impressive than it sounds! If Rotorua is your next destination after Taupo, then the Waiotapu geothermal area is an absolute must. It's around half way between Taupo and Rotorua. IMHO, far superior to anything inside Rotorua itself.

As well as putting you guys up at Coro, I'm more than happy to guide you too.

[Nasty]

In Wellington there is the Karori Wildlife sanctuary ... its a walking place, but lots of older people enjoy being able to see the tuatara and birds out of cages ... te papa as mentioned ... wouldn't do the zoo its a little boring ... there is the cable car and botantic gardens which have a cafe in them.

[martybabe]

Taranaki's good, two hours sw of waitomo to New Plymouth.Do the Famous park and gardens, Travel through the Naki national park thing, take in the forgotten Highway,Drive up the mountain, coastal road through wanganui down to welly.

Your more than welcome to stop at the mansion On your way through and We can show you round.

Your gonna end up with more offers than ya can shake a stick at.

[ynot slow]

Try the good old Forgotten Highway from north to south,maybe arrive late arfternoon and stay the night,then cruise the rest of highway next day.Whilst in Stratford hop up the mountain to the plateau,great views.Then head south.

[CookMySock]

salt pools at the mount, and walk up the hill. Tandem paraglider flight - must do. Scuba intro course for both of you, even if its just in a pool. Go boat fishing somewhere where the sea is flat and you are actually going to catch good eating fish. Jetboat ride up a narrow river.

edit: you are welcome to play with my scuba gear in a pool. I'll show you how to use it and not hurt yourself with it. I have two sets. Sorry, I don't have a boat at the moment.

DB

[Gubb]

I recently discovered the Mount Eden lookout is spectacular at night.

Definitely worth a trip.

[BIHB@0610]

Thanks guys, this thread has already given me some great ideas... and I have even gained a tour guide in Tauranga!

Ooooh damn! I was too late! I could be your deputy-tour-guide. If your Mum is into nature, there's kayaking up the river at Waimarino, which is utterly gorgeous and peaceful - you get to see so many birds from on the water (when you walk past the side of a river most of them are out of sight and scared!).

There are the beautiful hot pools at Fernland Spa (I have great afternoon's outing planned - kayaking, then afternoon tea at Decor Garden Centre in Bethlehem, then a soak at the hot pools - aaaaaahhh.)

Depending on the dates you're in town, I may have spare beds - actually if it's only a night or two, I can get the boys to share .... will bribe them with pies .... would love to meet your Mummy