Situated on State Highway 30, Rotorua International Airport is only 8km from Rotorua’s CBD making it convenient and easily accessible for both arriving and departing visitors.

Only a 1 hour drive from the popular holiday destinations of Tauranga, Taupo and Whakatane, Rotorua International Airport is truly the gateway to New Zealand’s Central Park and the sole provider of international air travel in the central north, as well as catering for all domestic air travel.

Operating as a domestic airport for the past 40 years, Rotorua International Airport upgraded its services to accommodate Trans Tasman flights in December 2009, providing travelers with the convenience of direct air transport from Sydney to the Central North Island, eliminating the need to fly to Auckland before making the journey South.

Since becoming an international airport, two Duty Free stores have been made available to international travelers, one in each of the departure and arrival areas.

Numerous car rental companies operate from the airport along with shuttle services, taxis and buses providing transport to the CBD and surrounding areas.

The airport now provides conference facilities with full catering, making for an ideal meeting destination, whether guests are flying in or attending from within the local area.

Internet kiosks and Wi-Fi coverage are also available throughout the airport.

Striking coastal scenery and magnificent rainforests give the Coromandel its unique appeal and it is easy to see why so many people visit this spectacular part of the country. The townships of Whitianga, Pauanui and Whangamata, have long been favourites for New Zealand families for a summer vacation.

With a host of adventure activities ranging from motor bike tours to kayaking, the Coromandel offers something for everyone, no matter what sort of experience you are looking for.

Kayaking is a great way to see the sights of the coast. Exploring off shore islands, paddling through sea caves and snorkeling through the Hahei Marine Reserve are just a part of the fun with a sea kayaking adventure.

The Coromandel region is a divers dream with an abundance of marine life on display. A number of tour operators offer diving and snorkeling trips with packages available for everyone from beginners to the highly experienced.

Aside from the many adventures on offer, the Coromandel has some very unique features for visitors to enjoy. Hot Water Beach is an experience for the whole family to enjoy. Located between Tairua and Whitianga, Hot Water Beach is the surfacing point of an underground river of hot water. Two hours either side of low tide, visitors can dig their own spa pool in the sand which fills with steamy hot water from the river. A truly unique experience.

Perhaps the best known and most spectacular part of the Coromandel region is Cathedral Cove. Accessible only by foot or boat, the 9 square kilometers that make up New Zealand’s sixth marine reserve, traditionally named Te Whanganui-A-Hei, showcases the volcanic coastline, crystal clear waters, intricate caves and underwater plants, crustaceans and fish. Several scenic walkways are located throughout the area and provide access to Gemstone Bay and Mares Leg.

Keen trampers will be enraptured by the stunning Kaueranga Valley, home to the Pinnacles. The walk to the peak of the Pinnacles is regarded as one of the most popular over night walks in Central Park, with a 3 hour trek crossing swing bridges and winding through nikau palm groves on the first day before reaching the Pinnacles Hut. The challenging and somewhat dizzying climb to the peak in the morning rewards visitors with a 360 degree view of the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and the Hauraki Plains and Gulf.

For an experience that involves expending a little less energy, checking out the talented local artists may be just the thing. Many artists call the Coromandel home, inspired by the natural surrounds and superb scenery. Visiting the exhibitions and studios of these artists is a must do for art lovers during a trip to the region.

Year round events mean there is something for everyone to enjoy, from the Coromandel Dive Festival, the Coro Music Festival or the Billabong Pro surf competition, whether a spectator or taking part, there is plenty on offer.

The city is best known for its geothermal activity with geysers and bubbling mud pools apparent throughout the area. Perhaps the most distinct feature of Rotorua is the intense sulphur scent which is unmistakable upon arrival. This is created by numerous sulphur vents throughout the area.

While learning about and experiencing Maori Culture is one of the main attractions to the area there are many other activities which draw visitors to the city. Boasting 16 lakes throughout the area, Rotorua is a haven for anglers with its vast quantity of trout providing excellent year round fishing. Ideal for many other activities, the lakes see a large number of holiday makers utilizing the sparkling waters for kayaking, waterskiing and boating.

Water activities are not the only enticing feature of the region with many land based adventures available. Possibly the most popular of them is mountain biking with Rotorua offering some of the best mountain biking trails in the world. The Redwood Forest is home to some of New Zealand’s best trails and the tracks are referenced relative to the level of difficulty and signposted making it easily navigable.

The Skyline Sykride is a popular attraction with the Gondola rising to 487 metres above sea level on Mt Ngongotaha. The adventure starts at the top of the mountain with the Luge and Skyswing. A 5km track descended on 3 wheel carts is a fun-filled option for all ages while the Skyswing sees thrill seekers swinging through the air at 120kph, offering stunning views of the lakes and Rotorua city at the same time.

For those feeling a little less adventurous, there are many walking trails through spectacular forestry and around the lakes. Some of the most popular trails are found in the Hamurana Springs, Lake Tikitapu, Rainbow Mountain and the Tarawera Falls.

Experiencing Rotorua’s geothermal landscape from the air is a unique and exhilarating adventure and is available through a number of operators in the area.

Renowned for its healing qualities, the thermal hot springs of Rotorua draw thousands of visitors to experience the natural therapies, from soaking in the hot waters, relieving aches with a mud wrap with mud sourced from local geothermal sites, to relaxing with a therapeutic massage.

No trip to Rotorua is complete without experiencing a bit of local culture. There are many places throughout the city to watch master carvers and weavers at work and sampling a ‘hangi’ – a traditional method of cooking food in the earth, is a must, along with cultural performances including the world famous ‘Haka’.

Mission Estate Winery is New Zealand’s oldest winery being established in 1851 by the French Marist order and is now one of the most iconic wineries in the country. Known for the stunning seminary building overlooking Napier, Mission Estate is a popular venue for weddings and conferences as well as hosting the annual Mission Concert which over the years has headlined guests such as Lionel Richie, Tom Jones, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart and Ray Charles.

Other top class wineries in the region include Esk Valley, Trinity Hill, Craggy Range and Church Road. The Black Barn Winery offers an amphitheatre which has been described by many performers as the best outdoor venue in New Zealand.

A number of operators run tours of the wineries and one of the most popular ways to see the region and visit the wineries is with one of the numerous bike tours in which visitors pedal their way to various wineries while taking in the sights.

The Hawke’s Bay is not only about wine with many other activities and attractions on offer. Gannet Beach Adventures offer visitors the chance to see the world’s largest mainland Gannet colony on the famous Cape Kidnappers coastline.

Known as the Art Deco City, Napier, located in the south of Hawke’s Bay, boasts the world’s largest collection of inner city art deco buildings in the world and every year thousands of enthusiast flock to the city for the Art Deco Weekend Summer Festival.

A short drive down the coast sits the city of Hastings, home to the Hawke’s Bay Opera House and numerous art galleries. Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers are two of the stunning natural features that adorn this area and with activities such as hot air balloon rides, a visit to the Splash Planet water park, wandering the Art Trail or playing a round at ‘Cape Kidnappers Golf Course’ – one of the top 50 golf courses in the world designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak, there are plenty of options for the whole family.

Stretching from Mahia in the north to Porangahau in the south, the Hawke’s Bay covers 1.42 Million hectares with the shoreline spanning 350km of the Pacific Ocean.

The Glowworm caves, home to the ‘Cathedral’ – world renowned for its acoustics, has hosted acclaimed Diva, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa who was amazed with the purity of the sound created within these unique limestone walls and thousands of tiny glowworms create a galaxy of lights as you cruise through the serene caves.

The Aranui Cave is the most delicate of the three main caves and showcases a spectacular collection of stalagmites and stalactites as well as being home to a colony of rare New Zealand cave wetas.

Boasting New Zealand’s longest underground guided walking tour, the Ruakuri Cave, or ‘den of dogs’ as it translates, is accessed via a unique spiral descent from where the 1.6km tour commences. With underground rivers, elaborate formations, sacred Maori sites and the beauty of the glowworms, the Ruakuri Cave is an experience not to be missed.

If adventure is what you are looking for, how about abseiling down 35 metres underground and winding your way through the depths of the Ruakuri Cave. Black water rafting is the ultimate adrenalin rush with a combination of climbing, cave tubing down the river and tight rock squeezes, ideal for those after a real adventure.

For something a little less adventurous, an easy 10 minute stroll through the gorge will bring you to the Mangapohue natural bridge, two natural arches created by the Mangapohue Stream cutting through limestone. Along the same road you can visit the Marokopa Falls, formed by the Marokopa River cascading 30 metres to the pool below.

More than 30 million years in the making, the stunning Waitomo region is now one of the most tranquil parts of New Zealand and sees thousands of visitors each year making the journey to explore the natural beauty and marvel at the spectacular subterranean formations.

 An extremely popular holiday destination, the Bay of Plenty region encompasses several highly visited areas including Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa, to name but a few. The region’s major city of Tauranga is one of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand and is home to the country’s biggest export port. As one of the largest natural harbours, Tauranga sees many cruise ships over the summer months and the two marinas play home to over 1000 boats.

Affectionately known as ‘The Mount’ – Mount Maunganui is the dominant feature of the area and every year the beaches attract thousands of surfers and sun lovers. Providing safe swimming spots for families, great surf, long golden sand beaches and of course the opportunity to walk to the summit of Mt Maunganui, this ever popular suburb is a great destination for both young and old and during the Christmas/New Year period it really comes alive with a massive influx of revelers.

A short way down the road from Mount Maunganui is the coastal Papamoa. A rapidly developing area, Papamoa offers a slightly more laid back environment and beaches less crowded than that of The Mount.

25km away sits the ‘kiwifruit capital of the world’ – the township of Te Puke – the heart of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry. Aside from producing the green furry fruit, Te Puke also offers many walking tracks, swimming holes and camping areas, along with a selection of shops and cafes, making it an ideal spot for a family getaway.

As the main access point for the active marine volcano White Island, Whakatane is home to operators of tours to this unique natural feature. Boasting a range of restaurants, bars, cafes and a vibrant retail sector, Whakatane is an ideal spot for those who enjoy the cosmopolitan lifestyle as well as the laid back beach scene. Nearby Ohope Beach provides safe swimming waters along 11km of golden sand shore.

Throughout the region there is a plethora of activities to partake in from wildlife encounters to adrenalin charged adventures. Experience a freefall from 12,000 feet or enjoy a scenic flight taking in the views stretching from Mt Ruapehu to the East Cape. If aerial activities aren’t your thing, the region also offers a variety of land and sea based experiences, such as swimming with the dolphins or enjoying a relaxing horse trek alongside the Pacific Ocean and over undulating farmland.

An extensive range of accommodation options throughout the area make a holiday to the Bay of Plenty affordable for everyone, whether camping in one of the holiday parks or lapping up the luxury in a top class hotel, there is something to suit any requirement and budget.

Boasting some of the most breathtaking and unique landscapes in the world, the Ruapehu region is a haven for adventure enthusiasts all year round. During the summer months there are numerous treks to enjoy throughout the area, particularly on the northern side of the mountain, in and around the Whakapapa Village.

Starting in Mangatepopo, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is regarded as one of the world’s greatest one day walks offering spectacular uninterrupted views and a striking volcanic landscape. Multi-day treks such as the Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of the great walks of New Zealand which stretches over Mt Tongariro and around Mt Ngauruhoe, attract many keen trampers to the area.

Mountain biking is a popular activity with a number of trails catering to all ability levels from the leisure rider to the hard core downhill racers. The 42nd Traverse is one of the most challenging rides with a total distance of 46km and an overall descent of 570 meters. The Central North Island Rail Trail and the Mountains to the Sea trail, which are two of the seven trails making up the New Zealand Cycle Trail Project, are also found in the region.

The Whanganui River provides amazing canoe and kayak adventures with trips available from one to five days and these can either be self guided trips or done with a tour operator. If moving along at paddling speed is a little slow, a jet boat ride on the river may be just the thing.

Dominating the central North Island is Mt Ruapehu, home to New Zealand’s two largest ski areas of Whakapapa, located on the north-western slopes and spread across 1050 hectares, and Turoa, situated on the south-western slopes, boasting the country’s highest lift and the longest vertical descent in Australasia.
Mt Ruapehu provides an extra twist for enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders in the fact that it is the largest active volcano in New Zealand. The most memorable eruption in recent times was 1995 in which many skiers and boarders got a big surprise during their day on the snow.

In recent years Mt Ngauruhoe has also staked its claim to fame as it appeared as ‘Mount Doom’ in the Oscar winning trilogy “Lord of the Rings’ from acclaimed New Zealand Director, Sir Peter Jackson.

The village of Ohakune is well known for hosting events such as the Mardi Gras and other music festivals during the winter season which often sees the town at maximum capacity with thousands of revelers enjoying the carnival atmosphere.
Also within the Ruapehu region is the town of Waiouru, located on State Highway 1. Home to the New Zealand Army base, visitors have the chance to learn about the nation’s military history and view the extensive collection of medals at the Waiouru Army Museum.

A range of accommodation options are available throughout the Ruapehu region, from shared lodges to private luxury chalets and a variety of bars and restaurants will ensure that visitors to the region enjoy their time off the mountain.

Orakei Korako or the Hidden Valley as it is otherwise known, consists of three large silica terraces and encompasses boiling springs, mud pools and geysers. It is one of the most unpredictable and active thermal areas in the region and is only accessible by boat, crossing the Waikato River.

Regarded as the events capital of New Zealand, the Lake Taupo region hosts annual events such as the International Ironman, the country’s largest one day event attracting competitors from thirty eight nations, while the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge sees ten thousand riders take part in completing the 160km ride around the lake.

For those after an adrenalin rush, Taupo is definitely the place to visit, from jet boating through the rapids of the mighty Waikato River, being totally submerged in water on New Zealand’s highest water touch bungy, to skydiving from 15,000 feet over the lake. If that all seems a little much, there are plenty of more relaxing activities to partake in. A Chartered Cruise is one of the best ways to really get an understanding of just how vast the lake really is and there are several operators who offer this. With secluded, white pumice sand bays, 360 degree views and the reflective waters mirroring the majestic mountains, a cruise on the lake makes for a romantic setting or a fun day out on the water with friends and family. Whether kayaking to the famed Maori rock carvings or playing a round at the world class Wairakei International Golf Course, there really is something for everyone.

Renowned for its numerous volcanic and forest treks such as the Kawakawa Bay track in Kinloch and the W2K track stretching from Kinloch to Whakaipo Bay, the area is very popular for walkers, runners and mountain bikers.
Lake Taupo and the surrounding streams and rivers like the Tongariro are world famous for trout fishing with both Brown and Rainbow trout in abundance. A number of fly fishing guides operate in the area and will have you reeling in a prized catch, whether an experienced angler or a beginner, there is something to suit people of all abilities and at the end of the day you can enjoy the spoils without having to get your hands dirty as many of the local restaurants will cook it for you.

As popular with backpackers as it is the luxury traveler, Taupo boasts a bustling nightlife, accommodation options to suit all budgets, a diverse range of restaurants and cafes and some of the most stunning scenery in the world.

Click here to view the embedded video.

With a 2km swim along the lake front where athletes will be able to swim exactly half of the New Zealand Ironman swim course. Then through a transition in front of the Taupo Yacht Club on to the bike and out on to the local roads to Reporoa and back. After the 90 km bike ride you will then dismount your bike and run along the stunning shores of Lake Taupo out to Rainbow Point on a two lap course.

When: 11 Dec 2010

Website: http://www.halfironmantaupo.co.nz/