New Zealand: Taupo, Mt Ruapehu, Wellington. aka crossing lakes, rivers and volcanoes to get a scone.

Taupo was such a lovely place, and we were very sad to be leaving here.  It is definitely on the visit again list.

On the drive around Lake Taupo to Tongariro, I had a go fishing in a few of the rivers.  I never caught anything, but with scenery this gorgeous it didn't matter in the slightest.

New Zealand Taupo

Today was off to a nice and lazy start

After a visit to the visitor centre, we went to Aratiatia Rapids, and watched the flood gates open and the rapids come to life.  That was a pretty amazing experience seeing the river slowly fill to a tumultuous torrent after the flood sirens had sounded.

New Zealand Rotorua and Taupo

Today was an early start to ensure we were able to get to the Lady Knox Geyser before it's scheduled 10:15 eruption time. There is a bubbling mud pool on the road side which you can access for free along the way.

New Zealand: Waitomo to Rotorua

Today was a beautiful sunny day, perfect weather. We left Matamata early morning and drove through rolling hills and rural properties. We broke fast in Ototohanga at a bakery in town.  We saw beautiful lakes and drove across narrow old weathered dam walls.

New Zealand: Concerning Hobbits

After brekkie we headed south. We drove straight past Auckland without visiting, but what a beautiful city.
The afternoon was spent at Hobbiton, but we can't post any pics as we had to sign confidentiality agreements since the sets are all done up for the new Hobbit movie. It was fantastic! The sheep shearing was pretty good too. 13000 sheep on the farm, and about 40,000,000 in NZ. Though we reckon so far we'd see more sheep back in Victoria. Oh and the lamb burger was really tasty too at the Shire's Rest.
Back into town we grabbed some really tasty roast meat from Matamata Roast Takeaway for dinner.  Best takeaway!  Pork Roast roll was to die for.

New Zealand: Bay of Islands

Today we awoke to another cloudy wet day.  We enjoyed a tasty breakfast on our balcony with a gaggle of curious onlookers.

New Zealand: Auckland to Waitangi

We arrived in Auckland about 5 in the morning. I didn't think that would be so bad, but I kind of forgot the time difference.  :-/  So in reality we were in the car and off at our body clock time of 3am. So yes, a wee bit tired.

We drove past Auckland city, and the sky tower was glowing a warm red in the early morning darkness.

Up the highway we stopped at a servo to get a toll ticket, and a cappuccino and was asked cinnamon or chocolate. Huh?  Umm, I'm not quite sure about that...

We pulled over at a roadside stop just short of Whengarai (yeah, it aint pronounced the way it is spelt) and had an hours sleep before driving on into town for breakkie at the Essence Cafe.

It was bucketing down rain most of the day.

We arrived at Paihai early afternoon and walked around Waitangi in the short gap between showers.