8th Day - Explore the Coromandel

8th Day New Zealand Road Trip

Driving Creek Railway And Potteries - Thames - Tauranga

Some Traveller that i meet on hotel suggest to visiting The Lost Spring, they said if lost spring the most beautiful thermal pool in newzealand and this place can make you comfort after tired of digging a hole in hot water beach. But im not visit The Lost Spring cause we are not interested about spa or pool for this long road trip. 

Our first destination for 8th day is Driving Creek Railway and Potteries, and again we have difficult decision when i choose the route. Some traveller make recomendation to try the 309 road cause its have spectacular views. but the route is gravel, narrow and winding. But after consider we must arrive at driving creek before 9.30 ( most early schedule for train is 10.15am ) we make hard decision to through other route although its have further distance but its also have better road condition. We passed Whitianga and Whangapoua.
Road betwen Hotwater beach and whitianga is very quiet, passed several horse farm. The traffic little busy when arrive near whitianga airport. Entering to Buffalo Beach road we can see views of sea and beach. Maybe this is not big and famous beach, but this scenery amazed us. Entering Buffalo road just accross from the beach we look baileys motel, maybe you can choose this motel when you stay at whitianga. Approximately 500 meters we meet other beachfront hotel, the beachfront resort. Along the beach there many point that you can rest there. We take rest for a while in some point that have a little playground for child . We rest  in front of beach and eat our meal that we have prepared in the hotel in front of beach.
After exit from buffalo beach road, we enterred the hilly area with winding road. Seascape and green hills with winding road take turn along trip to coromandel. Entering Coromandel town, became available some motel. We visited several hotel just looking for information about accomodation, and considered the uniqueness and room amenities we interested to four motel/hotel. That hotel is Coromandel Top 10 holiday Park, coromandel colonial Cottage Motel, Driving Creek Villas, and Hush Boutique Accomodation. Luckily we not stay at coromandel this night, so im not confused to choice the hotel hahaha.
Arrive on Driving Creek Railways at 9.30pm. it's 45minutes before the train start. The main show it's ride the train for 1-1.5hour through native bush, many viaducts, tunnel and the top performance when we stop at highest place call the eyefull tower. The guide very enthusiastic explain the history of Driving Creek Railways And Potteries development. Amazing Journey, combination between history and amazing views and my son also very happy. Everyday the train start at 10.15am and 2pm, there are more schedule for summer and also available extra schedule for group upon request.
We make plan visit Waterworks and look a part of the 309 road but the railways show is finished at 12:00pm. After twice change itinerary we must stay at rotorua this day, if not we afraid we only have few days at south island. So we make decision not visited waterworks.
From driving creek we go directly to Rotorua via Tauranga, and the distance is approximately 250km. First, i think it will be the long and tedious trip. But actually its false, from driving creek to Tauranga we passed 50km road with beautiful seascape at my right and alternanting the highlands and green fieds at my left. The amazing scenery make we must stop my car for take moment to enjoy the landscape and taking photo. We passed many small city like kereta , tapu, te puru,  thornton bay, whakatete bay before arrived at thames. At Te puru we thorugh lodging which provides the campervan only for stay, very interesting for us cause at this trip we meet many campervan and i want to feel stay at campervan. We meet again the lodge which campervan only for stay after passed Te puru, the lodge is Dickson holiday park. At te puru we meet sign board for Butterfly garden, maybe you interest when passed te puru. Besides the lodge with campervan themes we passed many lodge and hotel. And i think the best is coastal motor lodge who have the unique building and its look very clean and comfort. At thames you will easy to find fast food. Other interest that we found at this route is pet lodge, hehehe i never meet at the other place before.


Budget 8th Day
Driving Creek Railways and Potteries $50

Total : NZD 

7th Day - Hot Water Beach & Hahei Explorer

7th Day New Zealand Road Trip

Hot Water Beach - Hahei Explorer

Yesterday we arrive in hot water beach near sunset, we had less time to enjoyed beautiful sunset from the hotel but we dont have time to go hot water beach. This is the first time we stay at holiday park at new zealand, but top 10 hot water beach holiday park make me and my family love holiday park to stay over night. Maybe we can't found the hotel designed like the holiday park in new zealand, especially top 10 hot water beach. This holiday park serve from the backpacker traveller with backpacker lodge or use your own tent until the comfort and luxury room. This park also have equipped facilities for communal use, like laundry room, sky tv room, kitchen , and shop that you can load your grocery.

This park is very quiet, and we through the night with enjoyed the clear skies and star is very stunning. This park also so close with hot water beach, so you can find your best place to dig your pool early. We get advice from the holiday park staff to check the low and high tide before go to hot water beach. And the best time is around two hour before and after low tide time. I checked over the internet the low tide time for this day is 5:06 and 17:25. We already rent spade from the hotel last night and we go to beach near the sunrise.
There are no sign to find the best spot to dig your own pool, first it's make me confuse. Luckily we arrive before other tourist arrive so we can dig at many point. When the many tourist arrive it's look like the dig competition. and more difficult find best place to dig when arrive near the high tide.
Hot Water Beach is unique and amazing destination, although this beach not too big but hot water from the beach is amazing, confusion when find the spot to dig, dig competition with other tourist is complete to make the warm situation at the beach.
After back from the beach, we make own breakfast, we try to use BBQ facilities and outdoor dining area. At my itinerary this day we go to matamata to see hobbitton movie set. But after consider many reason, after breakfast time is 10am, hobbitton set is 3hours drive from hot water beach, we too tired and we still want to enjoy this unique room at top 10 hot water beach holiday park, we change my itinerary for stay one night again in this hotel.
At first, for this day we make plan just rest and enjoy this holiday park, but at the park shop we read brochure about hahei explorer scenic, one hour tour with boat to see famous cathedral cove where narnia was filmed, coastal islands of the marine reserve. And its only 10 minutes from hot water beach.
Yesterday this tour unplanned in my itinerary, but after enjoyed the tour we agree this tour will be one of the best destination on my road trip. Maybe when you visit new zealand on highseason you must booked by phone / internet before visit. Although this tour can depart on demand. Regular tour depart daily at 10am and 2pm. This tour use small boat with up to 8 passenger. Besides visit the cathedral cove, we amazed when visit awesome blowhole when explorer Mercury's Bay coastline. Sometimes you entertained by gannet dive headlong into the sea.
Hahei have many hotel with beautiful view, but one make me interest is hotel with unique theme. The Church Accomodation, hotel with church theme. This hotel located on beach road and you will passed if go to hahei explorer tour from hot water beach.
On 5pm we arrive at hotel and restling directly to prepare for tomorrow trip. This night we have discuss with other traveller about the special place and hotel, and the result is we must change my itinerary for tomorrow. Change itinerary from the road trip is not special, we make itinerary just for guide not for strictly followed. . Too many beautiful place in newzealand, and its recently discovered during a visit

Budget 7th Day
Deluxe Villa , Top 10 Holiday Park Hot water Beach $114 ( Midweek special 2 adult 1 child )
Spade Hire $5
Hahei Explorer ( 2 adult @$75 + Child $40 = $190 )
other $50
Total NZD $359

6th Day - Auckland City Tour & Hot Water Beach

6th Day New Zealand Road Trip

Sylvia Park Mall - Rainbow's End - Hot Water Beach

Like previous day, we make and prepare meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We very enjoyed the full kitchen facilities We started the day with breakfast at sylvia park motel garden / bbq area. Absolutelly, we love this hotel although it's on busy street and location close with everything but the room is very quite. The staff helpful, friendly and respect.We have resting very comfortable along the night after have the long activity yesterday.
Only with 5minutes drive from sylvia park motel we arrive on sylvia park mall. On the way we through countdown, burger king and fuel station. At this mall we visited many store, but we only shop on store with baby supplies, unique culinary, Nz souvenir, and cloth store. For travelling convenience like find flight or hotel at sylviapark mall you can visit flightcenter or statravel store. If you need internet connection on your trip you can visit vodafone store.
My wife need to try NZ chocolate ( i think the great chocolate is from swiss not from Nz , but it's ok ) and we found some chocolate store. But from many store, we only meet chocolate with alcohol free at Butlers ( My family not drink alcohol ). At the butlers we buy some chocolate.
And there is my shopping costs at sylvia park
Vodafone : $70
Butlers chocolate : $22
The Body Shop : $35
Tank Juice : $25
Kebab On Queen : $32
Backdoor : $59
Baby Factory : $47
Habitualfix : $25
TGNZ Shop : $91

After pay a lot damage cost on sylvia park we go to rainbow's end. Distance betwen sylvia park and rainbows end only 10km and through Southern Motorway can reach in 15km. Entry with auckland multipass, free for adult but  we must buy ticket $39 for my baby ( Age two until 13 years ).
Arrive on rainbows end immediately we go to Kidz Kingdom. For security rainbows end make height restriction for ride. With these regulation and already afternoon we can't try all ride. At this park we try Kidz Kingdom, Family Karts, Motion Master, Pirate Ship, Cinema 180.
Finished try some ride on rainbows end time is 4pm. And our next destination is far enough. Hot Water Beach. We make plan stay at Top 10 Holiday Park Hot Water beach, an this place is approximately 150km, 2.5 hours drove and ussually it will be longer cause take a picure in many places. Sunset time is 7.30 pm , When i make itinerary we has been estimated until afternoon on rainbows end. With my wife we make my rule from this road trip is entrance hotel before sunset. We make rule cause two reason, once is my baby not to tired and we not loss the beautiful sightseeing during the jouney. We have considered stay at manukau city near rainbows end, lake waikare or transit on thames. But it will be waste  the time. So we make decision go to hot water beach this day. If you will stay at manukau you can add auckland botanic garden as your itinerary for this day.
One of the reason we go to top 10 holidays park this day is cause have the unique room design. If you stay on weekdays, this hotel has great offering midweek special price. We arrive on sunday and we got price $114 from $150 if you stay at weekend. We choose Deluxe family villa with one queen size bed+ two single beds, ensuite bathroom, and full kitchen facilities .All facilities is modern and very clean. I dont understand why this hotel offering same price for deluxe family villa, deluxe villa, and ensuite units. Although each room has different facilities.

Budget 6th Day
Sylvia Park Mall $406
Rainbow End $39
Deluxe Villa , Top 10 Holiday Park Hot water Beach $114 ( Midweek special 2 adult 1 child )
other $100
Total NZD $659

5th Day - Auckland City Tour ( MOTAT - Auckland Zoo - Snow Planet )

5th Day New Zealand Road Trip

Auckland City Tour ( MOTAT - Auckland Zoo - Snow Planet )

We started today with making lunches for the whole day. With self cooked and simple food like instant noodles, rice, egg we only pay $20 for breakfast, lunch and dinner for my, my wife and my son. Ponsonby backpacker provide full equipment kitchen with can be used with other traveller. This hotel also give free tea or coffee. You also can enjoy the ponsonby with bike that you can hire at this hotel. After take shower with hot water ( at ponsonby backpacker hot water available 24hours ) we start the 5th day trip.
First destination is Auckland Zoo, approximately 5km from ponsonby backpacker. On the way we through Ponsonby road the shopping area, but look like we left too early, almost all shops are closed. After Ponsonby road we through richmond road. At Richmond rd you will passed woolworths supermarket, and accross the woolworths there are many restaurant some of them Hell Pizza the Unique original New Zealand Pizza, Noodle canteen, and fruit world.
On my itinerary , this morning i just go to Museum ot Transportation and Technology ( MOTAT ), before we spend the day during the day until evening at Auckland Snow Planet. But on the way we look sign for Auckland Zoo, and my son need go there.  And absolutely not disappointed , i think Auckland Zoo is more beautiful than othe zoo in New Zealand. At this zoo you can look the from asia animal like sumatra tiger, oceania animal like kangaroo and wallaby, new zealand typical animal like Kiwi until rare animal Galapagos tortoise and many else. If you have many time you can follow any attraction offered by this zoo.
Motat have two sites, on Meola Road and Great North Road. Motat Great North Road only 1km from auckland zoo, and with there traffic condition only within 5minutes. and there available free tram services between two sites every day. Out from zoo on 12pm, we dont have time to visit all sites. So i only visited motat on Great North Road, on this place we look ancient bus and train collection etc. If you need visit Auckland Zoo And Motat i suggest you provide a full of day.
Next destination is Snow Planet, distance from motat great north approximately 35km. Only need 40minutes through northern motorway. When through the bridge yo will see beautiful sightseeing. Beautiful bridge construction complement beautiful view of the auckland city with skytower on the right, maybe this more beautiful when you pass the bridge when sunset.
Snow Planet suitable as end of holiday destination, 365 day snowplanet offering the real snow and open until midnight on friday and until 10pm for other day. Although not cheap, snowplanet give unforgettable moment on your holiday. Maybe this is the exhausting day but i look my son always have laugh all the time on snowplanet. With the average temperature around -10C , believe that's very cool place, so dont forget bring your own jacket and pants although you cant rent there. Ski, Snowboard, snowtubing will close of your vacation this day perfectly.
Near from snowplanet site, we pass indoor gokart center, its will be nice if you like automotive especially races. In front of the gokart centre we look bumper boats, maybe its like the bom bom car but on the water. Next time we go to snowplanet again we will try gokart center.
Out from snowplanet time 8pm o'clock , its long vacation day with full activity and ofcourse is tiring especially for my son so it's different when i full drove a car and my son more sleep.
Every day when i look place for stay we find the hotel/motel wich nearest with tomorrow destination ofcourse we consider about the facility and price. So at 5th day after long activity vacation, and our tomorrow first destination is Sylvia Park, we find hotel nearest the sylvia park, although sylvia park is approximately 50km from snowplanet. After searching on the internet i found 2 hotel nearest sylvia park. Once is Waipuna Hotel And Conference the star hotel with best price and the other Sylvia Park Motel. Waipuna hotel offering more luxury room, but i choose sylvia park motel to stay this night because all room have full kitchen facility include stove, necessary facility for me cause everyday we make our breakfast, lunch and dinner before start the trip. Sylvia park is also very close with countdown supermarket approximately  only 300m, and open from 6am until midnight.

Budget on 5th Day
Auckland Zoo  $50
Motat $32
Snow Planet Family Pass Combo 4Hour $188
Snow Planet Family Snow Tubing Incl. Boots $96
Snow Planet Locker For dry clothes $14
Sylvia Park Motel $105
other $100
Total : NZD $585

4th Day - Auckland City Tour ( 4 Destination )

New Zealand Road Trip - 4th Day - Auckland City Tour

Kelly Tarlston Sea Live Aquarium - Museum Transport and Technology -

Stardome & Observatory - Mount  Eden

After No more destination around the Sky Tower, At day 5 we hire car. There are many car rental company at new Zealand. You can read here when i choose the car rental for may trip. I choose apex car rental, one of the reason is apex have many branches from north until south islands, so it will be easier to help if my car got problem. At Auckland, apex have two branch, one near the airport and the other at beach road.
Distance betwen Crowne plaza hotel and Apex auckland city branch is 1,5km or 20 minute walks. When walking we look once backpacker hotel again, Frienz.Com. Cool weather and Fresh air make 20minute walks is not tiring.
Some reason why i choose road trip in new zealand, besides the reason that i wrote here is i love driving a car. i choose manual transmision for this long journey.
And this is my rent detail for 32days
Toyota Corolla Hatchback 2010 , Manual Transmision
Full Insurance
Booster Seats
GPS
Snow Chain
Cost : NZD1950 ( include Interislander Ferry )

In New Zealand Fuel is not cheap, so if you plan the budget road trip you can compare fuel consumption each car. We Take Apex offering for 20% discount for first tank of fuel, with the agreement when return the car apex not refund for unused fuel. The 20% discount only available at the closest petrol station to your pickup depot.
Next Destination is Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium, when passing tamaki drive we were treated to a beautiful view. Tamaki drive is road crossing in the middle of the strait, if you like golf you can try liliput mini golf located on tamaki drive too. Before passing Orakei domain, you will meet Ferg Kayaks, one of the biggest kayaks store In New Zealand. Throughtout along tamaki drive, many tourists enjoy the tamaki drive by bycicle, i think this is the great activity. If you interest with that activity you also can hire a cycle at ferg kayaks.
From Apex Office to Kelly's Tarlton is only 6km, with auckland traffic conditions should be reached within only five minutes, but like i wrote here i take in 30 minutes, many places with beautiful scenery that make me have to stop for a moment to enjoy and take a pictures.
Kelly's Tarlton have large collection of underwater animal from the sharks, gigantic stringway until cute seahorses. This place also have many interest booth and attraction one of them is dive with sharks.
After kelly's tarlton next destination is Stardome Observetory, located approximately 12km from kelly tarlston. On the way we pass Orakei Train Station, Orakei West Reserve, ( As a bigger city in New Zealand, auckland still have many city park and reserve, thats make this city always cool and have clear air ). Through GreenLane road / Ellerslie area we pass Novotel Ellerslie, All Seson Hotel, countdown supermarket, and urban forest again. You like equestrian sport? If you like you must visit alexandra park located on green lane west .
Arrive on Stardome Observatory, a little disapointed cause we only can go to the gift shop. Better before you go this place, you know the planetarium show schedule. On Gift Shop you can buy binocular, this item maybe usefull for your trip in New Zealand.
If you follow my itinerary and buy binocular on stardome , you will directly use on next destination, One Three Hill And Mount Eden Domain.
One Three Hill and Mount Eden is volcanic peak in Auckland. From here you can look amazing view of the downtown area especially skytower and harbour area. Chirping of Birds, lush of trees, Fresh air , sheep, green grass complement the beautiful scenery. And the Big and Good News, this is free. One Three Hill is only 1,5km from stardome observatory, and mount eden is approximately 10km from one three hill.
In my itinerary we plan visit Museum Of Transportation and Technology in this day, but at the mount eden we already too afternoon. My baby is look tired too, so we go to the hotel. If yesterday we stay at luxury hotel, today we choose the backpacker style. Ponsonby backpacker hotel. We take doubles room.
After nap , i go to New World Supermarket at victoria park within 1km, i buy variety of item for next trip especially food cause it will be more expensive if we always eat at the restaurant.

Route Trip : Crowne Plaza Hotel - Apex Car Depot - Kelly Tarlston - Stardome Observatory - One Three Hill - Mount Eden - Ponsonby Backpacker - New World Supermarket Victoria Park

Budget on 4th Day
Car Hire $1950
Car Petrol $97 ( $121 + Discount 20% )
Kelly Tarlston $17 ( Ticket only for my baby, use auckland multipass read here )
Stardome Observatory $0
One Three Hill $0
Mount Eden $0
Lunch , Epsom Turkish Kebab $55
New World Supermarket $150
Ponsonby Backpacker, Doubles Room $68

Total : NZD $2337

40 Days New Zealand Road Trip ( Index )

40 Days New Zealand Road Trip - Index

Introduction New Zealand Road Trip 
Day 1 - Arrive In Auckland Airport
Day 2 - Auckland City Tour ( Butterfly Creeks , Auckland Sky Tower , Queens Street )
Day 3 - Auckland City Tour ( Fullers Ferry , Rangitoto Island , Queens Street , Albert Park )
Day 4 - Auckland City Tour ( Kelly Tarlston , Museum Transport And Technology, Stardome and Observatory, Mount Eden )
Day 5 - Auckland City Tour ( MOTAT - Auckland Zoo - Snow Planet )
Day 6 - Auckland City Tour ( Sylvia Park Mall, Rainbow's End ) - Hot Water Beach
Day 7 - Hot Water Beach - Hahei Explorer

3rd Day - Auckland City Tour ( Rangitoto Island - Albert Park )

3rd Day - Auckland City Tour

( Rangitoto Island - Queens Street - Albert Park )

Check out from hotel at 9pm, next destination is Rangitoto Islands. Rangitoto Island s is volcano island. I carry all my bags, cause i would have choose other hotel for stay this night. Heading to the Rangitoto Island , served by Fullers Ferry, so we must go to the harbour. From the front of the hotel you could see the sea. It's simple guidance again and that is the location of fullers ferry. Walks along Albert Street Fullers Ferry only 0.5km or 10minute walks. If you not have breakfast, you can buy at mc donalds or burger king that is passed.
I used my auckland multipass so i.m not buy the ticket again. Lenght of ferry journey approximately 30minutes. there are three times ferry schedules from auckalnd fery terminal to rangitoto islands. My ferry departs on 10.30 am. At the rangitoto islands you can follow "rangitoto explorer tour"  to explore the rangitoto with 4WD vehicles or hike with stunning view. It's look beutiful explorer journey, but after thought im not follow this tour cause the tour is 4 hours lenght and maybe this tour is not too suitable for my baby.
Nearest ferry schedule from Rangitoto to auckland at 12.45 pm. Wait that schedule i walk around the dock, and open my lunch. Don't forget your lunch cause in this island you cannot encounter victualler. At 12.45 i'm bak to auckland, this ferry is fast and along the way you see auckland beautiful scenery.
After arrive my next destination is albert park. The small park near the auckland university and queen street the shooping street. I pick through queen street, albert park is 2hours walk from the ferry terminal hahaha. It's look far but actually is near but i stopped at many store along queens street. Dont afraid exhausted, widely available bench to rest while enjoying the new zealand atmosphere
And this is the store list that i stopped
- Queens Arcade , Two floor of Specialty shoppings
- Many New Zealand Souvenir Store
- RipCurl
- McDonalds
- Kebab On queens for dinner

Not much to tell of albert park, its like the common city park, the quite and cool place. After one hours walking and rest aroung the albert park i go to the hotel, Crowne Plaza Hotel

Route Trip : Chiffey Suite Hotel - Fullers Ferry - Rangitoto Island - Queens Street - Albert Park - Crowne Plaza Hotel

Budget on Third Day

Fullers Ferry Auckland - Rangitoto $0 , include with auckland multipass on Day 2
Shop on Queens Street  $100
McDonald+Kebab On Queens $50
Crown Plaza Hotel $185
Total : NZD 325