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 The Heights Luxury Bed & Breakfast Thames New Zealand  

  • Get a FREE Self-Drive Audio Tour of Historic Thames when you book 2 nights or more (conditions apply).
  • Stay 2 nights or more and get a FREE Self-Drive Audio Tour of Historic Thames (conditions apply)
Travel Tips




New Zealand.  So much to do and no matter how long you stay, there's never enough time.  We came here first as tourists and made all the mistakes.  Here's some tricks we've learned to get the most out of your visit.

  •  Travel times.  If you're used to Europe or North America, you're bound to underestimate the time it takes to get places.  New Zealand roads are mostly 2 lane and VERY windy.  Plus they pass through the middle of every town.  Expect to average 70 kpm and you'll be doing well.  To enjoy your vacation and not spend all your time driving, choose to cover less ground and spend more time in fewer places.
  • Meals.  Kiwis dine around 7 pm and in most towns, restaurants stop serving around 9 pm.  Lunch stops being served around 1:30-2:00.
  • B&Bs.  Even if you're not used to staying in B&Bs in your home country, you'll love them here in New Zealand.   We take special pride in taking care of our guests.
If You're Short of Time:
  • Skip Northland (Bay of Islands) and go to the Coromandel instead.  It will save you two days driving and the Coromandel has all the features of Bay of Islands: spectacular boat rides through the islands (including our own Hole in the Rock), historic towns, kauri tree groves (easier to get to, too).  Plus it has more: Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and Driving Creek Railroad.  Going to the Coromandel rather than Bay of Islands will save you two days.
  • Stick to one island.  For variety, choose the North Island.  While the scenery on the South Island is spectacular, there are longer driving distances, plus you'll miss out on a lot of NZ features, including the Maori culture around Rotorua, the volcanic features (volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, terraces, etc.), the fascinating Art Deco architecture and earthquake story of Napier, and Wellington with its cable car and Te Papa museum.
  • Plan to spend 2 nights in each place. This will give you time to enjoy the local attractions.  Stay longer, drive less.  There is so much to do!

Best-Kept Secrets

Here are Vicky and Phil's top ten things to do in NZ:
  • The Coromandel (of course!) -- especially Thames Goldmine Experience, Driving Creek Railroad, the Waterworks, the kauri grove, the Kaurangahake Gorge, and a 2 hour boat tour of the Marine Park (which includes Cathedral Cove, our own Hole in the Rock, and a boat trip into New Zealand's 2nd largest marine cave.)
  • The Elms Mission Station in Tauranga -- Missionaries were among the first white settlers in NZ and the Mission Station in Tauranga is the best preserved.  It's complete with ALL the buildings: house, school, servants' quarters, outbuildings.  And the Mission Station played an interesting part in the New Zealand land wars that followed the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.  Check at the I-Site for directions.  It's within walking distance of down town Tauranga.
  • White Island -- New Zealand's marine volcano and it's active, which makes it even more fascinating.  The landscape is constantly changing and your guides will show you how.  Half-day boat trips leave from Whakatane. 
  • Napier -- In addition to heaps of art deco architecture beautifully preserved, the town takes its jazz heritage seriously with jazz festivals, restaurant entertainment and lots of great food and wine.  Stop in the Information Centre and pick up the brochures for the self-drive Earthquake Tour and the Art Deco Tour.  You can combine the 2 for a fascinating day.
  • Tongariro White Water River Rafting -- Most of NZ's rivers are a Class 5, very dangerous but only for a short thrill.  The Tongariro is a technical class 3, which means everyone can enjoy it and get a good buzz of adrenaline as well.  The river cuts through a deep and magical canyon full of Maori history, which your guides will tell you about.  But the best part is the 13 km (half-day) trip takes you through 65 rapids -- lots of action!  You pass through one set, have 100 meters to catch your breath, and you're off again.  Reserve your river trip at one of the suppliers in Turangi.
  • The Overlander -- Transcenic Rail's trip between Auckland and Wellington takes in some of the North Island's most spectacular scenery.  At one point you can see all 4 of NZ's active volcanos.  You'll pass through the Rarimu Spiral, an architectural wonder designed to get trains up a very steep grade).  You'll chug over the 5 huge viaducts spanning hundreds of feet over the Rangatiki River, and travel along the sea coast, with views out to Kapati Island.  Weekends in the winter feature Steam Saturdays or Steam Sundays when they hitch a historic steam engine to the main line train between Fielding and Otakune (and back.)  The conductor is your tour guide with full commentary all the way. http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/services/overlander.aspx
  • Te Papa -- New Zealand's national museum in Wellington.  It's one of the best museums in the world.  Free admission.
  • International Antarctic Centre -- Christchurch is the departure point for Antarctic Explorers, and the "home base" contains a museum that can easily take up a full day.  The focus is on what living in the Antarctic is like and what we've learned about this fascinating continent.  Your experience includes enduring an Antarctic blizzard and an optional ride on the all-terraine Hagglund over some very rough ground.  It's right outside the airport, a great last stop before you catch your plane.
  • Hot Springs -- There are great natural hot springs all over the North Island.  Enjoy and relax. Our favourites are The Lost Spring here on the Coromandel, Te Aroha (comes complete with a real geyser), Fenland in Tauranga and the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua.
  • Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum -- On the America's Cup Viaduct in Auckland, this fabulous, hands-on museum traces New Zealand's romance with the sea, starting with the Polynesian explorers who came here over 1000 years ago to modern Kiwi experiences, including our fascination with the home-made holiday home we call the "bach" and, of course, the America's Cup.
  • Shushing down into Mt. Tarawera -- This volcano outside Rotorua erupted in the 1890's, creating a spectacular disaster.  Today you can take a 4-wheel trip up to the volcano's rim, hear its history and the havock it wrecked, and then "shush" (sort of a controlled slide) down into the heart of the volcano itself. (OK, this is 11 for those of you who are counting, but we couldn't resist.)
Over-rated:
  • Lake Taupo -- Yes, the lake is beautiful, and on a clear day you can see the volcanos and the far end of the lake.  But unless you're into fishing or water sports, there's nothigng to do.
  • Auckland -- It's pretty, but except for a couple of museums and the Sky Tower, it's just like any other city.  Downtown shopping on Queen Street is a real disappointment.  (If you want good shopping try Parnell, Mt. Eden  or Epson.)  Don't spend more than a day.
  • Cape Kidnappers.  You pay a lot to be taken to see a bunch of gannets.  If you want to see a gannett colony for free, try Murawai Beach an hour outside of  Auckland.