After to came back from Hong Kong, guess I should continue to my New Zealand travelogue. This time, I'm gonna talk about Taupo. Among the whole New Zealand trip, my favourite place was Taupo. It gave me a great natural experience with my family. Not to mention attractions were amazing!
We had a lovely breakfast buffet at Millenniums Hotel Rotorua & Spa while facing the beautiful lake view.
After finished our breakfast, we decided to take a walk at the outside before we check-out the hotel.
Enjoying the spectacular view of Lake Taupo. We are not willing to leave this place. Unfortunately we need to leave because we gonna head to Wellington. Thus, gonna say goodbye to this place.
This hotel definitely one of my favourite hotel at my whole New Zealand journey. Thanks for the pleasant experience staycation.
CRATERS OF THE MOON
We then head to Craters of the Moon. The Craters of the Moon (COM) geothermal walkway wander through a weird, other-worldy, landscape featuring bubbling craters and steaming vents. This low-key geothermal attraction is run by a charitable trust. Of course, a small admissions fee is charged.
This place is so magically and smoke are everywhere due to geothermal. At first we thought to want to bring our drone along for video shoot. Unfortunately there was "no drone allow" written on the signboard at the main entrance. Thus, all the video scene was taken by my camera instead of drone view.
That day was 9 degree celcius but I'm wearing a dress without covering my legs. Some of the friends DM me on Instagram asking do I feel cold for dressing like this in this weather.
Actually most of the time my legs doesn't feel cold. Most of the time I like to covered by upper body instead lower body.
The reason is because I'm not a skinny person so if I covered up my whole body, I might look like a dumpling when taking photos.
There are two tracks for the selection :
Main Track
Main Track
45 minute loop walk. An easy grade suitable for most people of all ages. Track surface is a mixture of fine gravel and wooden boardwalks.
Top TracksAdd 20 minutes to walk to the viewpoint (upper lookout). It's a moderate walk with numerous steps and the view makes it well worth the effort!
Top TracksAdd 20 minutes to walk to the viewpoint (upper lookout). It's a moderate walk with numerous steps and the view makes it well worth the effort!
We spend about 2 hours for this place.
Although not much different among them but you can't always see this everywhere.
I promised myself I'm gonna revisit this place in future!
Well, maybe with my husband and kids next time if I'm married. =P
We are lucky there are not much visitors on that day so we can just sit everywhere for photos. Well, only me who are planning to sit anyway. Lol
Well, since not visitors passing by so I used my camera with hand-free mode for a family portrait. Not bad huh? Normally, it was really difficult to take photo with my niece as she always don't want to look at the camera and moving around. This time, surprisingly she look at the camera and holding my hand (if you noticed). Awww~
Opening Times
(Last entry one hour prior to closing time)
Summer Hours – 8.30am to 6pm from 1 October to 31 March
Winter Hours – 8.30am to 5pm from 1 April to 30 September
Admission Prices
Adults - $8.00 per person
Children - $4.00 per child (5 to 15 years old)
Under 5 years old - Free
Family Price - $20 per family (2 adults & maximum of 4 children)
(Last entry one hour prior to closing time)
Summer Hours – 8.30am to 6pm from 1 October to 31 March
Winter Hours – 8.30am to 5pm from 1 April to 30 September
Summer Hours – 8.30am to 6pm from 1 October to 31 March
Winter Hours – 8.30am to 5pm from 1 April to 30 September
Adults - $8.00 per person
Children - $4.00 per child (5 to 15 years old)
Under 5 years old - Free
Family Price - $20 per family (2 adults & maximum of 4 children)
Children - $4.00 per child (5 to 15 years old)
Under 5 years old - Free
Family Price - $20 per family (2 adults & maximum of 4 children)
How to Get There
From the North
When approaching from the north, at the ETA roundabout at State Highway 1 & 5, take the Wairakei Park exit and travel along Wairakei Drive. On your right, soon after the Wairakei International Golf Course you will see the sign to Craters of the Moon. Take care when turning right across the highway into Karapiti Road. Travel 1.7 km to the road end to arrive at the carpark of Craters of the Moon geothermal walk.
When approaching from the north, at the ETA roundabout at State Highway 1 & 5, take the Wairakei Park exit and travel along Wairakei Drive. On your right, soon after the Wairakei International Golf Course you will see the sign to Craters of the Moon. Take care when turning right across the highway into Karapiti Road. Travel 1.7 km to the road end to arrive at the carpark of Craters of the Moon geothermal walk.
From the South
When approaching from the south, travel 5.5 km north from the Taupo I-Site along Wairakei Drive. Turn left onto Karapiti Road and Travel 1.7 km to the road end - the car park of Craters of the Moon geothermal walk.
When approaching from the south, travel 5.5 km north from the Taupo I-Site along Wairakei Drive. Turn left onto Karapiti Road and Travel 1.7 km to the road end - the car park of Craters of the Moon geothermal walk.
HUKA FALLS
After visited Craters of The Moon, we head to Huka Falls. The Huka Falls are the largest falls on the Waikato River, near Taupo on New Zealand's North Island. It is the most visited natural attraction in New Zealand! The Waikato river is one of New Zealand's longest rivers and it drains Lake Taupo - the largest freshwater lake in all of Australasia.
At the Huka Falls, the Waikato River which is normally 100m wide, is forced through a 20 metre wide gorge and over a dramatic 20m drop.
Every second up to 220,000 litres of water gushes through the gorge and shoots out over 8 metres beyond to create a beautful blue/green pool.
The name Huka is the Maori word for 'foam', which is appropriate as the falling water and rapids certainly resembles foam, especially under flooding conditions.
This is a beautiful and must-visit attraction in Taupo! And did I mentioned it was free admission? Don't forget to drop by if you plan to visit Taupo. I'm pretty sure your kids will love this place even without playground around! Lol
How to get there
If you are driving from Auckland, follow SH1 to Taupo then turn left at the Huka Falls sign to Huka Falls Road.
If you are driving from Auckland, follow SH1 to Taupo then turn left at the Huka Falls sign to Huka Falls Road.
Thanks for the beautiful experience and landscape Taupo. Till next time~
While we on the way to Wellington, we saw a couple of beautiful view on the roadside. Thus, we stopped the car and took some photos.
This mountain view is so marvelous! Remind me of Lord of the Ring movie scene on part 2. When he is survive in the fight with King Solomon.
It took us a few hours from Taupo to Wellington, so we decided to take our lunch before started our long drive. We dropped by at one of Chinese Cuisine and we are so full after this.
That's all for Taupo travelogue. The next post - Wellington travelogue would be the last post about my New Zealand trip. Don't forget to stay tuned! XOXO
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- Auckland : http://bit.ly/AucklandNZTravelogue
- The Hobbiton, Hamilton : http://bit.ly/TheHobbitonNZ
- Rotorua : http://bit.ly/RotoruaNewZealand
- Taupo : http://bit.ly/TaupoNewZealand
- Wellington : http://bit.ly/NewZealandWellington
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