Kia Ora Guys,

We landed in Auckland back on the 25th March. After doing some research we decided the cheapest way for us to get around the country was to book a coach tour called 'Kiwi Experience', it saved us the hassle of driving costs and takes us to places we wouldn't otherwise have found. Plus it also includes plenty of free trips, which you definitely need as a traveller.

Our north island journey includes the following:

CAPE REINGA - This was only a day trip from Paihia. The coach's first stop on the way north was 'Puketi Kauri forest', this was a short stop which could be summed up a platformed tour of a forest full of extremely old trees! We carried on our journey where we got to see their famous 90 mile beach (well the coach drove us all the way along it). In fact it was only 60 miles long!!!

We stopped at the end of the beach where there are some large sand dunes. Here it tested our fitness to get to the top and sand board down them.

On the afternoon we reached the most northern point of NZ (Cape Reinga). Here we could see where the Pacific meets the Tasman sea, its the rough patch in the water if you look at the photos. Its also a sacred a place where the maori people's spirits are believed transcend.

PAIHIA (Bay of islands) - We stayed here for two nights although we had originally booked for three but decided to cut it short as there really wasn't a lot to do here and the weather put a stop to any sun bathing! The Bay of Islands is primarily based around the beach and the sea activities there are on offer.

AUCKLAND - This was where we arrived in NZ and we spent a few nights longer than necessary here while we organised ourselves and got ready for the rest of the country! Auckland is just like any other city with a large population and plenty of tall buildings but really not that much to see. However we did take a day trip across the bay to a dormant volcano called 'Rangitoto' which last erupted around 600 years ago.

MERCURY BAY - As soon as we left Auckland and got out onto the open road heading south our coach broke down and we were left sat on the side of a motorway for nearly an hour waiting for a replacement coach. The new coach turned up and we set off on our journey stopping enroute at a picturesque spot known as 'cathedral cove'. Mercury Bay itself was only scheduled as a place to stay overnight on our way down to Rotorua so we didn't do much in the town itself but then we arrived quite late in the afternoon so....

ROTORUA - Another early start stopping at the Karangahake Scenic Reserve where we were taken on guided walk that follows a river, crossing swing bridges and old miners railway tunnels.

From here we headed off to a town called 'Hobbiton' formerly known as Matamata. This is where a few scenes from the Lord of the Rings were filmed.

We arrived in Rotorua mid afternoon, the town is also known as Rotten-rua due to the fact that the whole town smells like rotten eggs! This is down to the amount of sulphur gases produced by all the geothermal activities in the area.

All that thermal activity made some interesting places to see, if you could make them out through all the steam!

The first thing we did after arriving in Rotorua was head to the Skyline center where we took a gondola up the side of a mountain, once at the top we got into a couple of small karts/luges and made our way back down the mountain on a meandering track. There where three tracks to do so each time we finished one we got on a ski lift which took us back up to the top to start over again! Great fun.

Apart from checking out all the sights, thermal activities and watching jean gag from the smells roto had to offer we decided to try out Zorbing. There were a few options to choose from but for those who don't know zorbing is basically rolling down a hill in a large inflated ball! We chose to fill our ball with water rather than being strapped in. The ride was good fun although it was over a bit too quick for our liking.

We stayed in Rotorua for four nights as there was plenty to see and do.

WAITOMO - This was only a one night stop as a slight detour on our way down to Taupo. There really isn't much to do in Waitomo as its a very small town but it is well known for one activity that we had a go at and thats 'Black water rafting'. Its pretty much like going caving with a rubber ring! They took us down into a cave which we had to climb, wade and float our way thru to the otherside. The ceiling of the cave was covered in glow worms and when all our headlights were turned off it seemed like being outside at night and looking up at the stars. Good fun although extremely cold and wet!!!

TAUPO - Although there are a few activities to do here we decided to take it easy for our two night stay and kept our money in our pockets!

We did stop off in a couple of scenic locations on the way to River valley for the chance to take a few nice pictures and have a picnic while taking it all in.

RIVER VALLEY - We stayed in a remote lodge in the middle of a valley. The room was lovely although the shower and toilet facilities were based outside, just say it was pretty fresh!!! Here was the first time we had a (home made) Sunday Roast since we left home, very tasty:).

Whilst here we decided to venture out onto the hills for a short walk. However the initial river crossing left us both exhausted (see pictures) so the rest of the trek was at a fairly relaxed pace.

WELLINGTON - We used this stop as a chance to organise ourselves for our next move across to the south island. Wellington is a really nice city full off artwork, sculptures and fancy architecture however it is still a city much like many others with more to see than do. We visited the impressive 'TE PAPA' museum which was right next door to the hostel. It was interesting to see a few maori exhibits and find out some more information about the world we live in, although we were disappointed to find out that the one exhibit we actually planned to see, after reading about it in our travel book, had been removed (about 2 years ago!!!)

Sweet as bro!!

NEXT STOP: South Island

P.S. Thanks to everyone who has given us advice.