in addition to taking bus, plane, there is another way traveling around new zealand, that is finding someone to share ride. petrol prices are going up sharply recently, if you buy a car, you'll find petrol costs too much. in my case, i am a driver, and i found that finding passengers to share ride has not only brought my petrol cost down, but also has given me chances to known some good travel friends. how to find sharerider? you can post a rideshare message on boards at every bac....

The domain has heated swimming pools and spa's and other attractions. Behind the spa pools is located the world's only hot soda water geyser, which plays about every half hour. The height the geyser rises to depends on the weather but normally it spouts 3 to 4 metres into the air, for 3 to 5 minutes.

Good beach with dog exercise area. After crossing to Wellington on theInterisland Ferry, our dog was ready for a run before we travelled north. TryPetone shoreline. The dog exercise area is towards the main road north. Greatstretch for all.

I flew around lake taupo and flew over the waikato river, the maori rock carvings and the local falls (Huka Falls - pronounced hooker falls). Was a few hundred new zealand dollars which was quite good as I was paying pounds. Well worth it.

Kaori bird sanctuary is close to the inner city of Wellington and a great place to hike or meander and enjoy the quiet and protected birdlife. There are guided tours or walk for several hours on your own. You will see an old gold mine and a dam. It is not open everyday but is on the busline, if you are, as I was, on public transportation. I found the bus and train transportation in Wellington cheap and easy to use. Look into the daypass for multiple stops all around the city and perime....

Places to stop off and picnic or enjoy the cafe lifestyle.

Taupo is a great place to visit as there is tonnes to do in summer and winter, youcan go water skiing, fishing ,swimming, bungy jumping, sky diving, skiing, but what i like to do after any of these is to go for a nice soak in the hot pools heated naturally underground taupo hot springs is the best for relaxing or if you dont want to pay for a dip if you go up spa road to spa park and down to the waikato river there is a lovely hot spring going into the river there and that is also nice.

It has lots of small, friendlym surfy towns dotted all the way up. Whangamata is lovely and goes off during summer. A little drive up north and you came to Hot Water Beach, you can actually dig a hole in the sand and the water is hot! Dont miss out the Coromandel, its worth it.

We almost missed Wagener Museum in Northland - don't! - Its rated no. 3 in the country by Frommers guide and "worth the drive up there". Its a fascinating collection of all sorts ranging from pioneer stuff to natural history to the world largest collection of chamberpots!. They have a backpackers hostel, a camping ground & motorcamp, a cafe and a 18 hole golf course all right on the waterside - we only allowed 2 days there but could have spent a week easily.

For about $24 you'd get a guided tour in the cave for a brief moment (