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one night in Rotorua, New Zealnd

Family of 3 (2 adults, 1 child - 14) flying into ROT at 12:30 PM and will leave next morning by a tour visiting Hobbiton and either Waitomo caves or Spellbound caves (which is better to visit with a tour) to Auckland. Which tour would be recommended for this activity?

What can we we see in Rotorua that day?

(1) Goethermal experience
(2) Maori culture
(3) Spa
(4) Redwood trees - I think they look pretty at night with hanging bridges and lanterns
Glow worm - kayaking tour - doubt can fit this and we can not paddle for 45 minutes
Not doing river rafting and Zorbing
Don't have time for Kiwi hatchery

So down to top 4.

What experiences to choose as we wont have a car (or do we need to rent a car for not even a day) - may be experiences around Rotorua city center ro thos eclose to each other or those that provide transport.

Where to stay for that one night?

Do hotels provide airport shuutle and if yes, which ones?

Which Maori experience to choose -- Don't need one with dinner as don't eat meat and fish. Te Pa Tu v/s Mitai Maori Village v/s Whakarewarewa?

Wai-O-Tapu thermal (can not ame it to 10;15 Am geyser) v/s Te Puia geothermal

Hells' gate v/s Polynesian Spa

We will appreciate the help. Thanks.

Posted by
68 posts

Thanks for the reply

My itinerary

March 10
Reach AKL from USA March 10 5:55 AM. Take flight to Queenstown at 9:20 Am and reach ZQN 11:15 AM (booking are not on same itinerary)
Check in to hotel and then take a taxi to see Wanaka and Arrowtown. I heard Taxis can charge NZD 100 an hour. Can see both places in 3-4 hours and have dinner and done for the day

March 11
8 am to 12 PM LOTS half day scenic tour
2 PM to 3 PM Jet Boat ride
After that Skyline Queenstown - Gondola and Luge

March 12
8 AM to 4 PM Milford Sound tour
Nothing planned after the tour - ?stargazing - any suggestions for that either in Queenstown or Rotorua

March 13
One way tour from Queenstown to Christchurch 14 hours with stops including Mt Cook
Where to stay in Christchurch as have flight to ROT

March 14
Catch flight to ROT 10:45 AM (how early should we reach airport if we have a nag to check in and how early if no bags to check in?)
Reach ROT 12:30 PM
Check in to hotel - which shuttle to take?
? stay at Novotel in city center or some other hotel in city center

See Maori culture, geothermal and Redwood trees on March 14 and on March 15 can leave for AKL with a tour - Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves

then question is what to do in Auckland on March 16

v/s

March 14 as above and March 15 also Rotorua - ? any stargazing in Rotorua

March 16 One way tour from ROT to AKL visiting Hobbiton and Waitomo cave for spell bound caves (which one to chose)

March 17 Depart for US at 1 PM

Thanks

Posted by
68 posts

Update:

March 14
Catch flight to ROT 10:45 AM (how early should we reach airport if we have a nag to check in and how early if no bags to check in?)
Reach ROT 12:30 PM
Check in to hotel - which shuttle to take?
? stay at Novotel in city center or some other hotel in city center

Whakarewarewa - Can do e-bike trail at 3 PM (will miss village tour at 2 PM, I don't think we make it for that).
7 PM - Rotorua Glow Worm Kayaking Tour By Paddle Board Rotorua. 3 hours including picks up and drop off. Actual time on water 45-60 minutes. Tour operator actually called me back and said no experience needed and if you can row that much (who one should be able to), they even have tow line just in case.

March 15
8 AM - From Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu and Te Puia Full-Day Tour - 8 hours

9 PM - Redwood Treewalk at Night

March 16 One way tour from ROT to AKL visiting Hobbiton only (as already seen glow worms through kayaking tour)
Stay in CBD in Auckland - anu=y suggestion which hotel as Hilton and Marriott are expensive.

March 17 Depart for US at 1 PM

Posted by
68 posts

Thank You for all the replies and help

Looking at hotel at CHC airport for one night. Both Sudima and Novotel have either 2 double beds or 3 single beds.

Which one is better for 2 Adults and one Child (14) - one room?

I couldn't find any with 2 Queens or even king or super king?

I understand USA King is bigger than NZ king

NZ super King = USA King

but what about USA Queen v/s NZ Queen?