Travelling from Auckland to Palmerston North by car... good places to stop on the way?

Question

We will be leaving first thing in the morning (between 5am & 8am) from Auckland... and want to arrive in Palmerston North at no later than 6pm. This gives us between 3-6 hours to kill. There are 6 people to satisfy - 2 young girls, 2 teen guys, 2 female adults. We would like to stop somewhere fun/interesting/interactive on the way... preferably somewhere where it is relatively cheap and it doesn't necessarily have to be a 'tourist attraction' - a nice secluded hot spring would work just as well. In need of ANY ideas as to what to do!!!! Know of Waiouru, Taupo (any fun/interesting things to do there would be welcome), Tongariro National Park... Ruapehu... but we'll be travelling in Dec/Jan so probably no snow round there!! Thanks

Answer 1

I usually drive from PN to Hamilton or Auckland at least a couple of times a year, and have been recently researching different things to do on the way. My passengers usually like to get to the destination ASAP, so I haven't tried all of the things I'm recommending.

Most of my suggestions are either free, if there are any costs, I've tried to indicate at bottom with ($)

Some of stops I recommend maybe "out of the way" depending on what route you drive (bypass Hamilton, bypass lake Taupo), and then some other spots which are relativley easily accessible regardless of which route:

HAMILTON GARDENS

If you are passing through Hamilton, the Hamilton gardens are just off hiway 1 on the way out.  I recommend the "paradise gardens collection" which have several themed gardens, including "Chinese scholars, Italian renaissance, English flower, Japanese and a couple of others.

Te Waihou Walkway and Blue Springs -10-15mins (?)off track  turn off a little bit before Putaruru -map on website below)

Some of the purest water in NZ, with much of NZ bottled water originating from around this region. No need to do the whole walk, just start from the "Leslie road end" of the one way track, as it's more scenic, can probably spend 20 mins return. Beautiful clear waters, some people were fishing, kids were swimming, and apparently some people go snorkeling.

TAUPO

Craters of the moon

Huka falls

Lake Taupo - most activities on the lake are quite touristy

TOKAANU SPRINGS  & WALK ( 5-10km from Turangi turnoff)

10 minute Department Of Conservation walk is right next to the Tokaanu springs complex. Hot springs are relatively cheap, if you are looking for any free hot springs along the way, the website below has more info.

($)

National Trout Centre - 5km south of Turangi

Some days they have free trout fishing for under 14(?)

Tawhai Falls -20 min one way short walk Tongariro National park

The main problem as you already averted to, is that there won't be any snow around here, so the short walks (there is another 20 min walk nearby) would be the only reason to head in this direction, otherwise it's faster to go straight to Waiouru.

Waiouru

Army museum

"Cookietime" airplane cafe in MANGAWEKA

($)

There are some other alternatives around Waitomo including 36m Marokopa falls etc if you were thinking of taking a non-traditional route through Otorohonga (kiwi capital of the world - it's a small bird park) etc.

Hopefully that helps

Answer 2

I would recommend Napier and Hastings area, there are plenty of things top do in Hawkes Bay, about 130km from taupo, there is the national aquarium of new zealand, te mata peak, white pine bush, lake tutira, napier is a kool place to shop with all the usual city things, shoppin malls, cinemas, maccas, subway, burger king, blah blah...and it has pretty buildings reminiscent of art deco/new york architecture, (even a "mcdeco" mcdonalds) there is also marineland, a small place showing the native sea mammals of NZ including bottlenose dolphins, NZ fur seals and californian seals, there is the musemn showing all sorts of exhibits from cultural to the 1931 earthquake, then there are lots of different and beautiful wineries in the region, where you can do wine tasting or just have some lunch, hmmm what else...there are some beautiful golden sand beaches to the south, such as waimarama and ocean beach...what can i say, check it out, there is lots to keep the kind of group you are taking occupied

Answer 3

Mercer for breakfast - yummy Bacon and eggs.

Huntly - Power station for the loo and a quick bite to eat.

Hamilton - the Hamilton Gardens (FREE) plus an ice cream

Then depending which way you go:

Either...

Waitomo Caves - Glow worms - AWESOME!!!! Must do if your passing this way.

or

Tirau - lots of great little shops to satisfy everyone.  The Castle has a great toy museum.

Then there's Taupo - The Big Prawn and the Huka Falls, shopping, cafes.

Then past Tongariro National Park on the dessert road and on to Palmy.

Stop at the fruit shops, art gallerys and other little places on the way for a fun treasure hunt.