[Jaideco]

Hi guys...

Now that I know I am going to be in Kiwiland for Easter, I am mulling over using the long weekend to try to do a quick road trip around the North Island.

The plan would need to be to start off from Welly, mid/late Thursday afternoon... and I would then have Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday to cover as much distance as possible before I need to be back. I would really like to get an idea of what sort of an itinerary would give me a good taste of the North Island.

I would be happy to drive for upto 6 or 7 hours a day if needs be provided there are enough things to stop and see on the route, all sights natural and manmade considered. If you could also suggest anywhere reasonable to stay, I would also appreciate that... I would be looking for something along the lines of a cheap motel, no frills required as long as it is clean, easy to find with a bed, bathroom and perhaps a reasonable restaurant nearby.

I have also found the following website that seems to be very useful...
http://www.aatravel.co.nz/tourist/northisland_travellingtimesdistances.shtml

I am looking forward to hearing from y'all.

[driver]

Thats a good site jaideco, hope you have a great trip. Have you thought of visiting Napier? or is that too far. We stayed in Hastings at the holiday camp.http://www.top10.co.nz/parks/Hastings/Hastings.html

we were in one of the chalets. nice and cheap, clean but not modern.

[Smiler]

Would certainly recommend Napier and the HB area in general. Also the geo-thermal areas around Rotorua are great. Mount Taranaki/Egmont is also pretty stunning but a long drive round the mountain.

The Far North will be too far for driving alone but Cape Reinga, 90 mile beach, Whangerai, Bay of Islands, Keri keri, Russell etc are lovely.

Have you thought of hopping a one way flight out of welly and picking up a one way hire car (or vice versa)? There are some specials around at the mo. :D

[sizzlingbadger]

Hi,

Suggest Desert Road up to Taupo, Mt Ruapehu and the ski fields. Then Taupo up to Rotorua then across to Napier. Should fill all your days off :D

One must is if you do hit Napier take a trip to Mission Estate Winery, absolutely beautiful building and awesome food :nice1

We loved Tauop and Napier on our Trip. We're off to Waiterere Beach just west of Levin for Easter, hoping we'll get a day trip up to Wanganui as that's supposed to be really nice (apart from the mobs). River Queen film was filmed mostly there as well.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

[Jaideco]

Thanks guys... there are a lot of great ideas there.

I have an idea where I would like to go now although I think I could fill three weekends up this way and I probably will before the year's out... :yes

All the best to you's all.