Docking in Tauranga,NZ.

Can anybody tell me if there are any "tours" that can be organised near to the arrival point ??

Can anybody tell me if there are any "tours" that can be organised near to the arrival point ??

What types of "tours" are you seeking and needing? As noted in the live/blog below, we got off of the Solstice in February. Check out these postings link below for more info/background on our various NZ port stops, etc.

There will not be many immediate tour right there as you walk off of the ship. Most things, especially the best for the key, most popular tourism options, are located about an hour away. Below are some visuals for what we saw and did. Many more details on the full live/blog. Happy to share more, answer other questions.

Tell us more for what you desire here and at other NZ ports.

What worked out to be the "star" nearby to Rotorua was the Maori Arts and Cultural Center called Te Puia. Lots of offer, absorb, enjoy and experience here. Natural wonders, culture, history, etc. The Eyewitness NZ book offers two full pages of pictures and details on what's here. Well worth the visit and cost for the admission, plus the performance in the Wahiao Meeting House. Rotorua sits on a large lake created by a volcano. That volcano is not active now, but the ground under this area still creates lots of "hot action" that is highly visible and can be smelled (sulfur), too.

Our excellent guide was Matt from Grumpy's Transfer's & Tours Ltd. We arranged this in advance and you can reach them at this e-mail of: Grumpy@Grumpys.co.nz.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Back from doing a 14-day Celebrity Solstice, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure on this ship and getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for much more information and lots of wonderful pictures on these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 79,671 views for this fun posting.

Our first stop before reaching Rotorua, was this dramatic waterfall that could be seen both from a higher, overall vantage point and then up close to its dramatic action. Very fast, lots of loud sounds!:

In Rotorua in the late 1800's they planted a massive grove of redwood trees from California as a test site. These trees (and the pines from Monterey) grow at a rate about three times faster than in their native areas. Karen from our Central Ohio group is shown here enjoying these redwoods and giving some sense for their size and height after only about a hundred years of growth. These redwood grew well, but the quality of the wood was not as successful as they got from the pines. Log production of these pines is now one of NZ's most successful crops in their fertile soils helped by this volcanic enrichment.:

This is one of the many scenic lakes in the Rotorua area. This is the Blue Lake. Right nearby is the Green Lake. Both are wonderful and very inspiring. A narrow strip of land separates these two lakes and provided an excellent vat age point to enjoy these sights. The Green Lake is considered as holy to the Maori people. :

At Te Puia near Rotorua in northern New Zealand, this Maori performance starts its ceremonies outside and then we entered the Wahiao Meeting House. Fortunately (with some skill), I was in a prime front row seat to be able to get great pictures, video, etc. Plus, experience the quality for how these members share these cultural traditions.:

Here is one of the views from the dramatic geyser, water and bubbling rocks/mud as featured at the Te Puia thermal displays. Very interesting and tied to the activities of New Zealand. It is called the "Shakey Isle" because there is lots of steam, hot rocks and superheated water right under the surface of these lands. The biggest at Te Puia is Pohutu Geyser. Pohutu means "Big Splash"!! It erupts 10-25 times a day and shoot up to 98 feet in height.:

Thanks TLCOhio,Also on the solstice !,none of the tours on celebrity suit us,either to long or just to expensive.Just wanted something with a general "look around"that area bookable from the dock.

Thanks TLCOhio,Also on the solstice !,none of the tours on celebrity suit us,either to long or just to expensive.Just wanted something with a general "look around"that area bookable from the dock.

Appreciate your follow-up and added information. Where the Solstice will dock is at Salisbury Wharf as a part of the Port of Tauranga. The actually port location is in the town of Mount Maunganui. Nice mountain there and a cute resort town with lots of retirees living here. Great beaches in this area. Not lots of walking-around shopping and/or cultural attractions that we saw there.

This location is near Tauranga, NZ. Its nearby port, town, etc., options are only "OK" from what we observed and had previously researched.

As I had noted, the real "prize", from our experience is Rotorua. It is a little over an hour away and has great geothermal wonders, plus is the heart of native Maori culture. Our visit included Te Puia for a Maori concert. Rotorua was developed inside a crater and has 16 different lakes with very dramatic scenery, waterfalls and many other wonderful photo opportunities.

Like in most areas of New Zealand, the port side options being offered to grab at random will be very limited. Maybe you get a cab to drive you to a couple places nearby. BUT, unless you like beaches or hiking the mountain, doubt that much will be significantly interesting.

Happy to share more background for this port or others in NZ.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a “Solstice: Visuals, Highlights Shared!” summary from two different adventures on this ship with many pictures and other details on its many options. This includes our recent Australia to New Zealand sailing. Check it out, including these recent updates, at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803477

Now at 25,053 views for this posting.

Thanks Terry appreciate your comments.Seen enough mountains in Wales so it looks either a "sit on a beach chilling" or book Rotorau online.Giving it some thought.Thanks again.

Thanks Terry appreciate your comments.Seen enough mountains in Wales so it looks either a "sit on a beach chilling" or book Rotorau online.Giving it some thought.Thanks again.

Glad that you are considering Rotorau. It is considered one of the most popular parts of New Zealand. As I mentioned, where we docked near Tauranga is "OK", but not anything that special or unique.

Getting a sampling of the Maori culture and history was good for us in understanding NZ, etc. Below are a few more visual samples from the stops there in and around Rotorau.

For us in the midwestern U.S., we don't have the mountains that Wales and other areas have. You're lucky there in Wales. Been there once in the northern area. Need to go back. On the future "to-do" listing.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Back from doing a 14-day Celebrity Solstice, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure on this ship and getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for much more information and lots of wonderful pictures on these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 79,843 views for this fun posting.

At Te Puia near Rotorua in northern New Zealand, here are some examples of the large wood carvings, flax being prepared and woven, a resulting skirt item being examined by my wife and Sharon from our group. :

We will be on the Diamond Princess leaving Auckland on 15 Feb.

Can anyone tell us if it is it worth hiring a car at Tauranga in order to tour the Rotorua area? It is much cheaper than the cruise excursions, but what are the road like?

If the answer is yes, would anyone be interested in joining us.

15432081

We will be on the Diamond Princess leaving Auckland on 15 Feb.

Can anyone tell us if it is it worth hiring a car at Tauranga in order to tour the Rotorua area? It is much cheaper than the cruise excursions, but what are the road like?

If the answer is yes, would anyone be interested in joining us.

 

15432081

We will be cruising NZ on Solstice in December. We have done it 3 times before.

I have done a tremendous amount of research on NZ car hire... lots of options (especially from the budget sector) but there are also traps...mainly in regard to insurance excess.

My criteria was:

1. Basic price and availability

2. Amount of Insurance excess (some up to $3k)this is the amount you have to pay if you have an accident.

3. Amount of any Bond

4. Options to reduce excess (to nil or at least $250)

5. Arrangements on where to collect and drop off vehicle.

In Auckland I opted for Ace Car rentals but in Tauranga best deal by far was with Thrifty.

I have a family of 4, and hiring a 8 seater people mover to visit Rotorua and surrounds. (Leaving option open to invite others).

Most roads in NZ are fine, but I don't know where you are from and if you are ok with driving on left side of road... if that is no problem for you (you could be Ozzie:p) then hiring a car gives best flexibility. NZ people are fabulous with their help and assistance.

cheers

We will be on the Diamond Princess leaving Auckland on 15 Feb.

Can anyone tell us if it is it worth hiring a car at Tauranga in order to tour the Rotorua area? It is much cheaper than the cruise excursions, but what are the road like?

If the answer is yes, would anyone be interested in joining us.

 

15432081

Have you checked the roll call for that cruise? I know that some folks are working on what to do in Tauranga

We were just in Tauranga last week and there is a small visitor center right at the cruise port. They were offering several different tours to places like Rotorua for a lot less money then the HAL tours. We do think this is the "go to" place for those who have not previously been to this part of NZ.

Hank

I would be interested in knowing also.

We should have also mentioned the rental car situation (not necessarily for only Tauranga). In Picton, we rented a car from Ace that cost us a total of $31 for the day (plus gas). Ace rents somewhat older cars, but they are in decent shape. We have seen signs at some NZ ports advertising rental cars for over $100 a day! So if you want to rent a car check online before your trip and take a look at some NZ companies such as Ace or Apex.

Hank

While NZ welcomes overseas drivers ,

you should be aware of the dangers our roads present.

Nearly 600 road accidents last year that resulted in death or injury

were caused by foreign visitors

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11269335

"The unfamiliar driver is caught out by road design and layout they're not used to,

and unfamiliar signage ...

[and] they get distracted by scenery."

We were in Tauranga on Friday. Yes, there are many tours available to purchase at the information booth where you get off the ship.

Since we were not particularly interested in a tour, we chose to do the level hike around the large mountain that is close to the ship. It turned out to be a lovely one-hour hike on a good path with great views and well-located benches to sit and contemplate the scenery. We even saw the Tui - a native N.Z. bird that looks like it has a cotton ball stuck to its chest.

After the hike, we shopped in town for some last-minute souvenirs.

The mountain hike was a great way to spend our last day in New Zealand.