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Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave- A Memorable Half-Day Tour

Our Rotorua tour wouldn't be complete without a visit to the captivating Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave. Here, we will witness the most active geysers of any geothermal park, the steaming hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and some of the world's most magnificent silica terraces with stunning colors. The name "Orakei Korako" translates to …

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Blue Spring Putaruru and Te Waihou Walkway New Zealand

Prepare yourself for a surreal visual experience as you journey to the breathtaking Blue Spring in Putaruru. While the drive to this hidden gem may seem like a considerable distance from Auckland, We were rewarded with stunning picturesque countryside views. The beauty of the landscape serves as a testament to why numerous epic movies have …

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Huka Falls Walkway- from Spa Thermal Park to Huka Falls

Huka Falls is just a 5-minute drive north of Lake Taupo, within Wairakei Park. This waterfall is one of the most visited waterfalls in New Zealand, and you have to be there yourself to understand why.  We arrived at the car park of Spa Thermal Park, where there were plenty of parking lots for free. …

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Aratiatia Rapids and Aratiatia Dam- the best place to visit at Taupō

After our recent visit to Queenstown, we began contemplating our options for exploring the North Island before returning to Malaysia at the end of the month. Our local in-laws proposed a captivating 4-day and 3-night journey to the Taupō and Rotorua region. This post is all about our first stop, Aratiatia Rapids. Intrigued by the prospect …

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Places to visit in Queenstown- The complete 10D9N itinerary

During our three-month stay in New Zealand, we had the opportunity to explore various locations in both the North and South Islands. One of our longest and most memorable journeys was a ten-day, nine-night trip that covered all the places to visit in Queenstown and its surrounding areas on the South Island. In this article, …

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Exploring Queenstown City Center: A leisurely walking tour

Let me tell you about our tour in Queenstown City Center! We stayed for nine days and went on awesome day tours to nearby places. But we also had downtime to explore this incredible city.  Queenstown is a gem, with the stunning Wakatipu Lake and Remarkable range as its backdrop. We took a leisurely walk, …

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Top restaurants in Queenstown- from bar to fine dining

Throughout our 9-day tour in Queenstown, South Island, and the surrounding area, we made it a point to explore a wide range of restaurants, each offering unique cooking methods and flavors. While we had the opportunity to try more establishments than those mentioned below, I would like to share my top restaurants in Queenstown and …

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Queenstown to Glenorchy- scenic drive with a spectacular view

On the ninth day of our Queenstown trip, we opted for a different mode of travel. We rent a car instead of joining a guided tour and immerse ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of the Queenstown to Glenorchy highway, renowned as one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. We started our day with …

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Doubtful Sound cruise- exploring the wilderness of Fiordland

During the seventh day of our journey around the South Island, we were excited to embark on the Doubtful Sound cruise to explore the wilderness of Fiordland. We had a peaceful night's rest in the charming town of Te Anau.  This fiord is three times longer than Milford Sound and has ten times the surface …

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Milford Sound Cruise from Queenstown- day trip highlights

Our sixth day on the South Island was an exhilarating experience and undoubtedly the pinnacle of our trip. We woke up early, walking from our hotel to the bus stop, eager to join the Milford Sound cruise to visit this renowned scenic gem of New Zealand. We decided to join the all-inclusive Milford Sound nature …

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Day trip to Wanaka, Cardrona Hotel, and Crown Range Summit

On the fifth day of our trip to Queenstown, we embarked on a day trip to Wanaka, including the Crown Range Summit and the Cardrona Hotel, in the morning. After a delightful lunch, we continued our journey to Arrowtown. In this article, we will delve into the captivating experiences of our morning activities, with Arrowtown …

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Things to do in Arrowtown (and the Chinese settlement) - New Zealand

On the fifth day of our holiday in Queenstown, we booked a bus tour to Arrowtown and Wanaka. Opting for a guided tour instead of self-driving was a wise decision, considering the tales we had heard about the steep and winding route to Wanaka.  In this article, I will take you through the beautiful historic …

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Long Bay Beach- Stunning cliffs, rock formations, and breathtaking view

This morning, we decided to take a stroll to Long Bay Beach. The weather forecast assured us of a sunny day without any rain. We walked from home to Long Bay, which took just over half an hour. Long Bay Regional Park is situated a mere 20 km north of Auckland. This reserve serves as …

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Queenstown scenic helicopter flight and alpine landing (full review)

Experience the thrill of snowy footsteps on a breathtaking mountaintop with the Queenstown scenic helicopter flight! On the fourth day of our Queenstown adventure, the highlight was the Queenstown scenic helicopter flight and alpine landing tour. The Helicopter Line, our tour company, has arranged to pick us up directly from our hotel, the Colonial Village …

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Queenstown Hill Walking Track: The complete walk-through experience

On the second day of our trip to the South Island of New Zealand, we woke up early to trek the Queenstown Hill Walking Track.  Yesterday's weather forecast predicted today's temperature would plummet to near zero and rain in the morning. So we anxiously hoped the forecast would change in the morning.  When I logged …

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Queenstown Gardens in New Zealand (things to do)

Our eight-day adventure in Queenstown and its captivating surroundings started with an early morning flight that landed us in this enchanting town. Upon settling into our accommodations at our motel, we wasted no time walking down to the magnificent Queenstown Gardens alongside the lively Queenstown Bay. Activities at Queenstown Bay This vibrant hub is bursting …

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Things to do in Warkworth- Parry Kauri Park, Warkworth Town Wharf & Cement Works

Warkworth, a tranquil residential community just an hour north of Auckland, may surprise visitors with its hidden treasures. Here a the top three things to do in Warkworth during our half-day tour. 1. Parry Kauri Park The Warkworth & District Museum was our first stop in the charming Parry Kauri Park. We strolled through the …

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North Shore Beaches loved by the locals in Auckland

North Shore has several stunning beaches, including Murrays Beach, Waiaki Beach, Mairangi Bay Beach, Browns Bay Beach, and Long Bay Beach. These beaches are the local favorites,  known for their clean white sand and picturesque scenery. They are also popular spots for swimming, surfing, fishing, and beach volleyball for the locals. Before starting our journey, …

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Wenderholm Regional Park-  a hidden gem in Auckland with stunning scenery

We enjoyed a half-day tour of the stunning Wenderholm Regional Park on North Island this morning. This park is between the Puhoi and Waiwera Rivers and boasts breathtaking views at every turn. We left Albany, Auckland, in the morning, where we set off for Wenderholm Regional Park in anticipation of rain in the afternoon. The …

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Things to do in Devonport, Auckland - a half-day tour

Greetings from New Zealand, our home for the upcoming three months. Although our routine activities will mostly consume our days, we plan on setting aside time to discover the urban and rural marvels of New Zealand that await us. Our excursions will commence in Devonport, the suburb we will traverse before embarking on uncovering the …

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