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

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.

Ohope Beach for a stunning beach and incredible views

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Whether you enjoy lazing on a beach, just watching the birds, or enjoying beautiful views Ohope beach will be hard to beat.

As regards to the views you can just enjoy the beauty of the Bay of Plenty or gaze out at New Zealand's active volcanic island, White Island.

If this is towards the end of your holiday as you approach Auckland for the airport this would be a great place to relax and just enjoy your surroundings.

The Agrodome, Rotorua

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Boy a lot has changed since we visited the Agrodome in 1991. I thought it was great then but this is one popular tourist attraction that seems to be a whole lot better.

I'll deal with the traditional part of the Agrodome first and that is the chance for ewe to learn more, much more, about the sheep of New Zealand (awful pun, I know, sorry).

Within a purpose built auditorium all the breeds are demonstrated to you with a very informative talk. Demonstrations of speedy sheep shearing follow and even the sheepdogs play a part too, running across the backs of their woolly friends.

Audience participation plays a big part too. Visitors can get up close and personal with the sheep, kids can help feed the lambs and there's great photo opportunities with all the animals including the dogs.

And that alone, for us, at the time was an extrememly enjoyable experience.

But now, after your demonstrations you can go on a tractor driven tour of the farmland where you can literally mingle with and hand feed sheep, deer, cattle, emus and ostriches and alpaca. You will continue on your tour in your 55 seater trailer enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and Lake Rotorua with many photo opportunities.  Also included is a visit to the pure organic New Zealand orchard which produces kiwifruit, olives, appleas and feijoas. Apparently this stop also includes free samples of New Zealand's wine and honey.

That tour is a huge addition in itself but there are now loads of other activities you can undertake based in the Agrodome  complex. Fancy having a helicopter ride and landing on the edge of a volcano crater? A spot of bungy jumping? How about rolling down a hill sealed in a plastic ball? A free fall diving experience? All these adrenalin pumping activites are available and that's just a few of them!

Take a look at the Agrodome Website http://www.agrodome.co.nz it looks like you'll be spoilt for choice!

New Zealand's Agrodome has now become a full day experience if you wish to fit as many activities as possible into your day.

An amazing experience and all available in the one place.

As regards to the large model railway "England in miniature" I have pictured above I am pretty sure this was housed within the Agrodome complex at the time of our visit. I am not sure if it is still there or elsewhere in Rotorua now. Perhaps somebody could comment to let me know.

Craters Of The Moon, Thermal Park Area, Taupo

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Any vacation in New Zealand will not be complete without experiencing the smell of rotten eggs, holes in the ground, steam creeping out of the earth, yellow lakes, boling mud, hot streams, pools and waterfalls, geysers, volcano craters and perhaps even the odd earthquake (There was a minor but feelable tremor during our arrival in Wellington, however we slept for so long due to jet-lag we snoozed right through it!)

Anyway back to Craters of the Moon. A small admission fee is payable for vehicles and for individuals who are on foot but it is well worth the charge.

New Zealand's geothermal areas show the raw power that lies beneath our planet and make you realise that man may claim to be powerful but the Earth is far stronger.

What is interesting about this area is that it apparently first materialized in the 1950s after a nearby power station lowered water levels. As somebody who has in interest in earthquakes I'd be interested to know if this subsequently increased earthquakes in the area. In areas of oil drilling earthquakes occur regularly due to mans' actions - I wonder if this is the same?

Well laid out tourist walkways and a loop road for vehicles ensure that there is little chance of an accident in such an active area.


I'm biased because I love these thermal areas but you really have to experience these regions as part of your New Zealand vacation.

Honey Hive Taupo, formerly honey village

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Honey in New Zealand is big business. Honey Hive, known as Honey Village when we went, is just one of many well stocked stores where you can buy various honey products.

Pure 'active' Manuka honey is said to have health benefits and that it can assist with some ailments and conditions. It is therefore extremely popular and comes in two 'grades' according to the purity and anti-bacterial content level. It is available to be shipped worldwide, however it should be noted that many countries have strict limits on the amount of honey that can be imported by an individual. In a few countries it is forbidden altogether.Whilst New Zealand honey is delicious anybody not living in the country has to think carefully before buying. Is is really worth buying it fresh direct from the supplier and having to cover the postage cost? Alternatively with honey having a long shelf life you may think it simpler just to buy direct in your own country.

Incidentally about shelf life on honey: Honey stored in properly sealed containers can remain suitable for eating for decades and even centuries (although I don't think I'd eat a jar hundreds of years old)! For practical purposes, a shelf-life of two years is often recorded on jars in stores. Hygienically and well processed, packaged and stored honey retains its quality for an extremely long time.

Manuka honey isn't the only honey available though. Lavender honey, clover, blue borage and others are available as are specialized 'gourmet' and fruit honeys. There's even a huge selection of honey-based skincare products. Honey based sweets for the kids. Honey Hive also sells novelty honey/bee products.

It's quite amazing that one simple, natural, product can be used in so many different products and stock a whole store.

An interesting place to visit, even if you don't particular like honey you may like to try out the skincare range.

Marineland, Napier, New Zealand

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Having visited the National Aquarium just a short walk along the promenade will bring you to Napier's  fabulous Marineland attraction.

I think I must be a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to performing dolphins, seals, sea lions etc. I hate the thought of these animals being in captivity but I can't fail to be impressed at what a terrific show can be created in a custom made environment like this.I think I keep at the back of my mind that at least this way they aren't being clubbed to death somewhere or being dished up as somebody's dinner in various countries of the world.

In addition to all the obvious aquatic attractions here you can also find another large model railway layout which is great for any model rail enthusiast and big kids and little kids alike.

I couldn't decide which of my Marineland pics to stick on this post so I took the decicion that it was easier just to put in a slideshow of them all.

National Aquarium of New Zealand, Napier

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There's something fishy going on here. Actually there's a lot of fishies here. I know I've put you a little down the road in Street View, above, but if you navigate nearer to the building you'll see why. A great demonstration of the Napier sunshine but not the best Google photography ever. Guess they'll have to go back and reshoot that sometime?

I did take many photos during the visit but I don't think any did it justice. So I found this You Tube video which shows spectacular highlights of one attraction that really must be added to your Napier list. 

Hastings, New Zealand

Not to be confused with Hastings of 1066 fame (in England) the New Zealand version is just 20km away from another major city, Napier.

Hastings has grown to become the largest urban area in the Hawke's Bay Region. It is also now the regions primary centre for commerce, trade and industry.

A "smart" city, clean and tidy and with plenty of opportunities for the shopping addict.

Hastings is one of the most important fruit producing districts in New Zealand including apples, pears and stoned fruit. Its description on the city sign as "The fruit bowl of New Zealand" could not be a better description.

Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Begonia House

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Look I have to admit that normally I am not a "flower" person. But this place is lovely.

Roses of every conceivable colour and size are laid out in immaculate beds in the rose garden itself. Whilst the begonia house displays loads more beautiful blooms.

Viewed from the air using Google map's satellite view (above) the gardens look relatively small. However if you look at Google's map scale the complex must be about 7-8000 square metres in size. Besides with over 3000 different types of roses displayed it has to be big!

Wander amongst the flowers at your leisure or just sit amongst them and enjoy the colour, the fragrance and the New Zealand sunshine.

If a place like The Lady Norwood Rose Garden can impress somebody who isn't normally entertained by flowers it must be good.

Wellington, Oriental Bay and the Carter Fountain

Back to Wellington.

It really is a superb city with plenty to see and do.

Head down to Oriental Bay to mingle with the shoppers or just take it easy at the water's edge and enjoy the passing water craft including tourist tour boats.

If you are down there you won't be able to miss the Carter Fountain. Just get your photographic memory timing right as the fountain varies greatly in height. To get it just right you may be playing with your zoom lens a bit!

Wrights Hill Reserve for Wellington Views

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There are many places in Wellington where you can get your fill of scenic views. Most of them involve a bit of climbing (well walking or driving uphill) and Wrights Hill is no exception.

This is actually one of the best locations where panoramic shots could be considered by those who like to do things a bit more adventurous with their photography. So if you are going to take a lightweight tripod anywhere in Wellington Wrights Hill should be on that list.

View the planes coming into land at Wellington International Aiports, watch the cruise liners docking in the harbour or just enjoy the views over the city which you will remember for ever.

To state the blatantly obvious try to go to viewpoints when the weather if fine. The final effect just isn't the same in fog or rain.

Publish Post

Old St Paul's Cathedral, Wellington, New Zealand

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Old St Paul's Cathedral is a beautiful building, both inside and out . It is located at 34 Mulgrave Street,

Thorndon, Wellington. Google Street View puts you outside (above). You can easily navigate around street view or change to an overhead map.

 

 

Out and about in Wellington

Wellington is a beautiful city and it has to be explored.

I hate eating out in the UK but New Zealand is so much better. The food just seemed to be of a far superior quality, the service everywhere was friendly and all eating places just seemed to be so much cleaner and hygenic.

So many food outlets in New Zealand have the Scandanavian Smorgasbord - eat as much as you like for one price approach. If you like your cakes you have discovered one of the country's with the scrummiest cakes in the world.

On a diet? Forget it for a few weeks and just enjoy the food. New Zealand is a destination you probably won't be able to visit every year and you should enjoy it all - food included.

You will have your camera. Use it! You only get one chance at capturing a memory. When I took these pictures I was hindered by lugging loads of 35mm films about and not knowing what the printed result would be.

That problem is not around any longer with small digital memory cards and the ability to look at and retake photos. There are no excuses (apart from the weather) any more for not getting the shot you want. Photography has never been easier. With most middle priced cameras able to take a reasonablly high quality video (some HD) you don't need to carry round a camcorder either if you want to travel light. Just take a good number of memory cards - and buy decent quality memory cards. They are far more reliable and faster.

Queen Elizabeth Park Masterton

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We stick with the wildlife theme and recommend that during your visit to the Wellington area you take the opportunity to visit the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park at Masterton

Masterton is the largest town in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand. Not only are the gardens beautiful but there is also a bird aviary, deer park and swimming pool complex.  

It's an ideal place to enjoy a picnic. There's a children's playground and miniature train. Take a relaxing walk around the park lake and feed the ducks and other wildlife. With mini golf, paddle boats and a skate park everyone can be kept occupied.

Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre

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New Zealand is a country that prides itself on its natural beauty, its wildlife and it's hospitatily.

Once you get to Wellington if you really want to start off by seeing some of the country's most beautiful wildlife you cant go wrong with the popular Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre.

This chance to see some amazing native birds and their beautiful plumage at their very best

Wellington Wainuiomata Hill View

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Wellington is, of course, the capital city of New Zealand. For an incredible view Wainuiomata Hill has to be one of the optimum view points for enjoying wide landscape views