Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Adventure and Underwater World

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At the time of our visit this was, quite simply, Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World. It has since been expanded with the Antarctic Adventure bringing penguins into the venue.

Obviously I can only comment on the Underwater World which was a fantastic experience and a great final event on our 1991 New Zealand trip.

The video below has some footage taken at the time.

One Tree Hill for unbeatable views over Auckland

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Unsurprisingly it's called One Tree Hill because it only has one tree!

It is also an important memorial for both Maoris and indeed all New Zealanders.

If Auckland is to be your gateway to going home then this is the place to take those last minute scenic shots from.

edit: I have since discovered that One Tree Hill is now, in fact, No Tree Hill after several attacks on the tree including one with a chainsaw - how very sad.

The memorial of course still remains as do the beautiful views

Historic Village Tauranga

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This is a wonderful place.

If a piece of New Zealand nostalgia interests you then the Historic Village in Tauranga can offer you this by the bucket load.

Old buildings, vintage vehicles, vintage goods and artifacts, steam trains, diesel trains and more. If you can spare the time this attraction could keep you occupied for hours

Kaiate Falls or Te Rerekawau Falls

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These falls are also known as Te Rerekawau Falls. The Kaiate Falls are located in a a forest reserve near Tauranga.

You can walk to where the Kaiate Stream drops over ignimbrite bluffs in a series of nine stunning cascades.

Just above the car park is a picnic area. Here you can enjoy fabulous views of Mount Maunganui and the Tauranga's harbour.

Mount Maunganui - the big hill that needs to be climbed

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Its 232 metres (761 feet) in height and it offers spectacular views of Tauranga and The Bay Of  Plenty.

It stands out so much from the surrounding landscape you almost feel it is yelling out to you "climb me!"

"It" is Mount Maunganui !

232 metres doesn't sound like a long walk does it? After all an olympic athlete, in theory, could run that distance on the flat in under 30 seconds.

But as you can see (above) the path to the top is far from straight. Instead it winds around the mount, in a gradual, but deceptively steep climb.

An adult of normal fitness would get to the top in about 45 minutes. Anybody with any sort of walking impediment will probably take far longer. Wear comfortable footwear that are suitable for climbing on a stony surface. If it has been raining areas may be muddy too.Sandals are not the ideal shoes for this climb (I'd opt for comfy trainers). Oh and if it's a hot day go prepared with sunscreen and water!

The reward at the top however will be worth it, and hopefully you will remember to take your camera with you (you probably won't want to go back down to get it).

The good news is that the descent is far easier than the ascent was - I can almost guarantee your legs will feel that they have climbed far more than 232 metres.

Kiwi 360 Rangiuru Fruit orchard and tours

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Kiwi 360 offers you the most comprehensive "kiwifruit experience" you will get in New Zealand. The large piece of kiwifruit you see outside the attraction is actually a viewing point. You can climb up the stairs inside the structure to view not only the orchards but also the beautiful surrounding countryside in the Bay Of Plenty.

Your kiwifruit "train" takes you around the massive orchards and an informative guide tells you all about the history of this unusual oval shaped fruit.

Samples were available after the tour and we could tell how much attention one large American woman had been paying to the guide when she said "Gee.... what do you do with it...... can you eat it?". You had the feeling that if this was a "French fries farm," if such a place existed, she would know exactly what to do with the end product !

With the Bay Of Plenty providing the perfect combination of sunshine and rain the area is not exclusive to kiwifruit. The more familiar orchard fruits are also grown locally in abundance.

A store is available selling kiwifruit food products, soft toys etc. to give you a piece of memorabilia to take home.

Google's Street View images (above) were taken on a stunning New Zealand day. Hopefully you will visit on a similar day. We were not quite so lucky, as you can see below. We had practically no rain during our stay in New Zealand until today, 17th February 1991, when the precipitation decided it was going to make up for lost time! It was one of the heaviest downpours I have seen in my life. Fortunately the kiwifruit tour train was covered.