KiwiTravelBlog provides you all the information regarding travelling to New Zealand from anywhere in the world. It also provides information of the popular and hidden travel destinations of New Zealand. If you want to know whether you can travel to Australia from New Zealand or travel to New Zealand from Australia, you will get all those information here. Where to travel in New Zealand. Tourist attractions near Auckland which are less than two hours drive from Auckland. Day trip from Auckland.
Tapapakanga Regional Park is only 1 hour and 10 minutes drive from Auckland CBD but I should say this is one of the best regional parks in Auckland in terms of natural beauty and facilities. There is a campground as well so if you want to spend a night or two while enjoying the natural beauty, you are most welcome! Additionally, the park has got BBQ facilities (2 BBQ stands) and toilets etc. You can also do fishing as well.
If you are planning for a swim, the beach area in front of the campground has got nice white sand, so can go for a swim. There is a walkway as well. If you walk and go up to the hill, the view from the hill is just breathtaking and on a sunny day you can see Comormandel Peninsula as well.
During winter in New Zealand, we do not see the sun quite often. But during this weekend the sun was shining and we had decided to go somewhere nice but not far away. So, we went to our go-to place Mission Bay. As the sun was shining, we want to enjoy the sunset as well. The best place to enjoy the sunset in Mission Bay is Michael Joseph Savage Park. You get a view of the sea, Auckland harbor, and Auckland skyline.
We enjoyed a great time at Michael Joseph Savage Park and then went to Mission Bay Park to spend some time in the newly refurbished kids playground which is great. The newly refurbished fountain is stunning as well. We went to Moven Pick to enjoy some ice cream as well.
Waitawa Regional Park in Clevedon-Kawakawa is just 50 minutes to 1 hour drive from Auckland CBD. This is a stunning place for a day picnic. There is a cycle trail, a fishing spot and has also got all the facilities for BBQ as well.
During summer the view of the Ocean is marvelous which you can see in some of my pictures below.
During the Matariki weekend this year, we have decided to visit the Whakapapa Ski Area in Mt Ruapehu. My elder daughter wanted to see snowfall and we also wanted to enjoy the snow. So, we booked a nice holiday home in Raetihi which is just around 50 minutes drive from the Whakapapa Ski field. We had used Bookabach which is a popular website in New Zealand and Australia to book accommodation in different holiday destinations. (if you want to book yours for your New Zealand holiday, you can have a look here Bookabach).
If you are visiting Whakapapa for the first time, then you should check all the information below and this is a must. Otherwise, you might not be able to go up to the Ski field cause the road is weather dependent and not always open during winter.
Whakapapa Travel Guide for Beginners:💁
The best time to visit Whakapapa is during New Zealand winter which is from June to August when the temperature becomes very low on both Islands and snows in some parts of the South and North Islands. From my personal experience, I have heard a lot of people have faced problems cause they did not check the road and weather conditions.
The roads are not always open during winter. If there is heavy snowfall or a polar blast, the road gets closed. Or sometimes they open it for visitors but you need to have snow chains to drive up.
So, please plan your trip in advance and have all the information in one please and browse when you need it. If this is your first time for Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa Ski field, or Turoa ski field then this article will immensely help you with the information.
First of all check the weather and road conditions for the websites below: (this is a big help and provides live information):
Sky Waka Gondola will take you to 2020m above sea level
Roads and Parking information:🗻🚗
Road to go to Whakapapa Ski field - The bruce road gives you access to the Whakapapa Ski field and also goes in front of the iconic Hotel the Chateau Tongariro Hotel. Whakapapa Ski field is where the Sky Waka Gongola and the famous Knoll Ridge Chalet restaurant area (situated at 2020m above sea level and give you the highest dining experience in New Zealand!)
Road to go to Turoa Skifield - The Ohakune road will lead you to Turoa Skifield.
Both the roads above are controlled by the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) during the winter season and this is their decision on whether to keep the roads:
Closed - basically to all traffic. Normally happens during heavy snowfalls.
Restricted - means if you can drive 4WD vehicles or 2WD vehicles with chain or both 4WD and 2WD vehicles with chain.
Open - to all traffic. Normally open before June without any issue but please always check the road status from the above link.
Well, I am not trying to sell any product here but if you are planning to go to Whakapapa, please buy your snow chains before your journey. You might end up renting snow chains while going up to the ski field and it will cost you almost the price of a new pair of snow chains. There are a lot of places like Repco or SuperCheap Autos where you can get nice snow chains for your journey. Or you can try some used snow chains in Trademe or in the Facebook marketplace. I got mine from the Facebook marketplace. You do not need a new pair right, just an old one will work fine. 💪
Parking:👀
When we visited Whakapapa in 2022 we did not have to book any parking in advance. The parking is first-come-first-served basis. The place becomes quite busy on Saturday cause a lot of people start from Auckland or other parts of the North Island on Friday and they come to visit on Saturday. But Sunday is not that busy and weekdays are reasonable. So this will not be very difficult for you to get a parking place if you plan on a Sunday or weekdays. But I believe you will still be able to find parking on a Sunday but you might need to walk uphill a bit!✌
Whakapapa Ski Field
Buses and Shuttles:😐
If for some reason, you are not driving or the road is restricted and you do not have a pair of snow chains, you still have options available. You can take Bus/Shuttle to go to Whakapapa ski field. You can find bus and shuttle information here Whakapapa Shuttles. Thanks to the website and they have all information covered.
Buying Passes for Sky Waka Gondola, Ski & Ride Facilities, and Rentals for Sking:💰
There are no specific sightseeing locations. When it snows, the whole mountain gets covered with white snow which looks spectacular. But I personally recommend you to do the Sky Waka Gondola ride (price is Adult $59 and Youth+Child $34 and Kids from 0-4 are free! When we were there, we noticed during the weekend the price is $10 less on each weekend). This is amazing! The one-way trip is around 10 minutes and it takes you to 2020m above sea level. The Knoll Ridge Restaurant, New Zealand's highest restaurant is over there as well where you can have a buffet lunch and the view from the restaurant is spectacular. Also, there is a nice place in front of the restaurant where you and the kids can play in the snow. You can take some beautiful pictures as well. Most of my pictures were taken in front of the restaurant.
Accommodation:🏡
We had booked our accommodation through Bookabach. If you want to stay very close to the Whakapapa Ski field, you can stay at the iconic Chateau Tongariro Hotel (4 star) which is just at the base of the hill. But, if you like to book a holiday home, you might need to book one either in Raetihi, Okahune, or Turangi. This is the exact link of the house that we had booked.
In brief, plan your trip ahead. Book your accommodation, if any snow chain is required buy a pair or 2, if you are not going to drive up the hill, book a shuttle. If you are going to ski, book your gear online and enjoy the trip! 😃
Snow at the top base station of Sky Waka Gondola Whakapapa
Must need hot drins and the highest dining experience at the Knoll Ridge Chalet
Snowfall in front of The Knoll Ridge Chalet
View of Makatote Viaduct - one of the important engineering infrastructures in New Zealand, close to Raetihi
