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Kiwi Bikes Rotorua

January 6, 2010 By Carl View Comments

Those of you who are my regular readers will know that I love cycling, http://travelmonkee.co.nz/?p=337 http://travelmonkee.co.nz/?p=229 not only do I believe that it is good for the mind body and soul, I also think that biking has a very cool community, just show up anywhere and you find someone that is willing to help you out, give you advice or just “chew the fat”.

Now it is hard to go to Rotorua, or lake Taupo, and not see bikes, either mountain, or road, both towns have magic single trail mountain bike tracks, and so there is a great need for the servicing of bikes. So it was very cool when I happened upon www.kiwibikes.co.nz based in Rotorua, while on my travels.

Check out eh custome 36er, is this the future of bikes?

Check out the custom 36er, is this the future of bikes?

A very cool single speed, with cam belt for chain

A very cool single speed, with cam belt for chain

These guys build seriously great bikes, and can get you up and running in no time, if you have the misfortune of a break down while on holiday in Rotorua.

Added to that they are right next door to Zippys Cafe, where all hard core bikers go!

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Filed Under: General, Rotorua, Travel Advice Tagged With: ,

Action NZ Rotorua

January 5, 2010 By Carl View Comments

So today, we went to Action New Zealand located in Rotorua, This situated on the road that leads out to the airport, and is hard to miss. Action NZ has a funky little 9 hole golf course, which is a par 27, don’t be deceived, it’s not chip and giggle, the greens are small, and about 50 metres from the tee. You will need to be accurate, however the site is relaxed and a whole lot of fun for the family.

9 hole golf course

9 hole golf course

But it is not only golf you can do at Action NZ  there is Laser Clay bird shooting, Bow & Arrow, Bull riding and Axe & Knife throwing all on site. Prices are reasonable ranging from $12 for the golf (less for children) and up to $60 for a combo of Bull riding, Axe throwing, Archery and short golf.

Your choice, Bow & Arrow, or Axe throwing

Your choice, Bow & Arrow, or Axe throwing

Laser clay shooting with authentic shotguns

Laser clay shooting with authentic shotguns

Added to that Action NZ can host your corporate party or team building event, they have a wide range of activities from themed evenings, to Paint ball warfare, their name does live up to their claims. “…all action packed for a fun day out”

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Filed Under: Rotorua Tagged With: ,

Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua

December 29, 2009 By Carl View Comments

So my family and I have just returned from camping at Lake Rotoiti near Lake Rotorua, we were fortunate enough to know one of the land owners to give us access to the bay were we camped, however if you have a boat, then access onto this lovely lake is made easy.

There are many activities that can be done on the lake from, swimming, kayaking, fishing, exploring the tree clad shoreline, to soaking on the mineral hot springs that gush from the hill side.

There has been a concerted effort by the local council to keep the lake clean, and now all stock from nearby farms have no access to the lake edge, and all streams have been fenced off, added to this a wall has been built to stop water from Lake Rotorua entering Lake Rotoiti.

In places the lake is particularly deep, just off the beach from were we camped there was a rock shelf that went from half a metre to 14 metres in a sheer drop, this made for great swimming and diving.

There is a large catermaran that sails on the lake and takes in most of the bays on the lake and stops at the hot springs, you can find the link here http://purecruise.co.nz/

Lake Rotoiti’s full name, Te Rotoiti-kite-a-Īhenga, links it to Īhenga, the early ancestor from the Te Arawa canoe, who is credited with exploring the lakes district. The lake is graced by Matawhaura, a forest-covered mountain at its eastern end.

Rotoiti is really two lakes in one. The eastern part sits in the north of the Okataina caldera (volcanic depression), and has many hot sulfur springs. The western half – a drowned valley, Te Awa-i-Takapuwhaia – was formerly an outlet for Lake Rotorua. The two lakes today share an outlet at Rotoiti’s western end

Pure Cruise Cat

Pure Cruise Cat

The track in requires full time four wheel drive

The track in requires full time four wheel drive

The bay in which we camoed and swam

The bay in which we camped and swam

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Filed Under: Rotorua, Rotorua Lakes Tagged With: , ,

Lake Taupo Rugby World Cup Hosting

December 19, 2009 By Carl View Comments

Wow what a great week it has been for Lake Taupo and Rotorua, with the announcement of what teams the two tourist towns will host during the Rugby World Cup

Taupo will host Wales for five nights, Ireland for four, and South Africa for nine.

Rotorua will host Namibia for seven nights, Fiji for two, Samoa for six, Ireland for four, and a European team for two.

With both Taupo and Rotorua been conveniently positioned in the centre of the North Island, with large populations in surrounding areas. This is a great move by the Rugby World Cup to make sure that the game gets great spread and visibility, and make sure it isn’t just confined to the large cities and Metropolitan areas.

With some top class accommodation in both towns, it will mean that our visiting players and guests will leave suitably impressed and hopefully return in the future.

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Filed Under: Events, General, Rotorua, Taupo Tagged With: ,

Trans-Tasman flights to Rotorua

November 15, 2009 By Carl View Comments

After years of work making the airport longer and upgrading the terminal, Air New Zealand will launch twice-weekly trans-Tasman flight services to and from Rotorua International Airport on December 12.

The airline will fly A320 aircrafts between Sydney and Rotorua. Return flights will operate on a Saturday-Monday service initially, becoming a Saturday-Tuesday service from February 2010.

Bookings for the first flights are already open.

The new service makes Rotorua a more accessible holiday and conference destination for Australians. According to Statistics New Zealand, more than one million Australians visited NZ in the year to May 2009, with approximately 20 percent of those visitors coming to Rotorua

“This is fantastic news for Rotorua, as it will allow Australian visitors to pop across the Tasman for short breaks, and Rotorua residents can do the same,” DRTM general manager Don Gunn says.

“DRTM is also working alongside its regional partners in the Central North Island to ensure the potential of the trans-Tasman capability is maximised.

“We are thrilled that Air New Zealand is the airline that has committed to trans-Tasman services. Air NZ has been a strong supporter of Rotorua in the domestic market and its profile in Australia is very high and we will be looking forward to working closely with them on collaborative marketing to ensure the success of this venture,” Don says.

The Rotorua Convention Bureau will now step up its promotions in Australia, highlighting Rotorua as a conference and incentive destination. Previously, the lack of direct access has worked against the region, but it is now ideally positioned to become a major conference destination.

“The new flight services open up a new market for us, including the sought-after corporate and association market,” Rotorua Convention Bureau manager Ruth Crampton says.

With direct flight services now in place, Rotorua’s profile in Australia is expected to significantly grow, leading to more visitors and increased opportunities for them to participate in a wide range of activities.

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Filed Under: Flights to Rotorua, General, Rotorua Tagged With: , , ,