Rotorua Accommodation: Fri 7th Feb – Sun 9th Feb Fri 7th Feb It was another beautiful mild morning that Mark started with a bike ride and I started with a walk. We were heading down to Rotarua today but were on a bit of a time budget as we had a Rail cruising activity booked for… More

Mount Maunganui (Mauao) Accommodation: Thurs 6th Feb – Fri 7th Feb Thurs 6th Feb : Waitangi Day: a public holiday  It was a 3 1/2 hour drive down to Mount Maunganui (Mauao) but we stopped off along the way at Hot Water Beach, about 30 minutes out of Whitianga. Our timing was perfect: Hot Water… More

Whitianga / Coromandel Peninsula Accommodation: Tue 4th Feb – Thurs 6th Feb Tue 4th Feb  The trip from Paihia to Whitianga took 5 1/2 hours and was essentially 4 hours of driving south, from the Bay Islands and back down through Auckland, then about half an hour of heading east followed by an hour heading north… More

Paihia Accommodation: Sat 1st Feb – Tue 4th Feb Sat 1st Feb  It was clear and sunny for our 3 1/2 hr drive from Auckland up to Piahia in the Bay of Islands.  I had changed my mind a few times about where to locate in this area and eventually settled on the Piahia Beach… More