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Links & Resources

A selection of the sites and businesses we support. All the information you need to plan your next visit to New Zealand.

North Island hikes

Walking Legends offers guided walking holidays in New Zealand including the North Island Great Walks; the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk and the Tongariro Northern Circuit Great Walk.  For comfortable, lodge-based options check out our Waikaremoana Discovery Tour, Tongariro Hiking Tour, Coromandel Explorer guided walk and Great Barrier Island Escape holiday packages, as well as custom made walking and hiking holidays tailored to any group.

If you are planning to visit or hike in New Zealand’s North Island, you may also find these resources helpful when you begin your planning:

Rotorua

  • Princes Gate Hotel
    • Rotorua’s only 4.5 star historic hotel in the heart of the city. For lovers of architecture and pioneering history, this is the only place to stay when you visit Rotorua.
  • Sport of Kings Motel
    • Comfortable motel on a quiet road near Rotorua city centre, with shared spa.
  • Pullman Hotel, Rotorua
    • A luxurious, 5-star option in the central city close to Rotorua’s dining precinct, EAT St.
  • Solitaire Lodge
    • 5 star luxury lodge located on private peninsula at Lake Tarawera, with stunning views, 25 minutes from Rotorua CBD.
  • Treetops Estate
    • 5 star luxury lodge located in its own private wilderness estate, with walking, fishing and hunting on your doorstep.
  • Emerald Spa
    • New motel with luxury studios and suites boasting private spas, near city centre.
  • Fenton Court Motel
    • Four star motel near Rotorua city centre, with private spas.
  • Regal Palms Motel
    • 5 star motor lodge about 15 mins walk from Rotorua city centre, with private spas and swimming pool.
  • Treks Backpackers
    • New Rotorua backpacker accommodation, in city centre.
  • Funky Green Voyager
    • Cosy backpacker accommodation in quiet street near centre.
  • Rotorua YHA
    • Rotorua backpacker accommodation.
  • Find accommodation in Rotorua visit HotelsCombined
  • East West Homestay & Holiday Apartments
    • Very comfortable bed & breakfast accommodation, self-catering apartments & cottages in a quiet street, 5 mins walk to Rotorua city centre. Heated swimming pool and spa.
  • Jack and Di’s
    • Luxury, lake view bed and breakfast style accommodation. Great location close to Lake Rotorua and city centre.

Great Barrier Island

  • Shoal Bay Estate
    • A gorgeous homestead located in Shoal Bay, Tryphena where you’ll be hosted by Val & Francis, two long-time island locals, with fresh, seasonal produce grown right on the island.
  • Great Barrier Lodge
    • A charming, well-situated lodge in central Great Barrier Island. Enjoy the on-site restaurant and bar with stunning views over the tranquil bays.
  • The Currach Irish Pub
    • A lively, social establishment with a welcoming, hospitable energy. Enjoy local hospitality at it’s best with amazing food and live music.
  • Pigeons Lodge
    • A comfortable, clean and tidy lodge in a great location with gorgeous views and outdoor seating areas.
  • Sunset Waterfront Lodge
    • A wonderful, laid-back lodge within walking distance of the beach with excellent hosts.

Matamata

  • The House With No Nails
    • Enjoy a stunningly unique accommodation experience with hosts Jen & Dewi. Learn how this hand-forged Welsh timber barn home came to life under the skilled hands of a passionate craftsman. Set at the foot of the mighty Kaimai Ranges, this is one place you’ll keep coming back to.
  • Broadway Motel
    • Just perfect for a convenient stay right in the heart of central Matamata. Within walking distance of Matamata i-Site for visitors to Hobbiton. Your hosts Tony & Diann will make your stay truly memorable.

Coromandel

  • Hush Boutique Accommodation
    • Tranquil bush cabins set amongst sprawling grounds available for accommodation and intimate, elopement weddings.
  • Grafton Cottages
    • Comfortable chalets set in the hills above Thames township. Your hosts Alby & Rachel have created your home away from home.
  • Coastal Motor Lodge
    • Arguably the BEST location in Thames for your stay! Enjoy glorious views out across the Hauraki Gulf.

Tongariro National Park

  • Old Courthouse B&B
    • Historic courthouse beautifully refurbished into a lovely B&B in Raetihi, near Tongariro National Park.
  • Tongariro Crossing Lodge
    • Boutique lodge in National Park, with fantastic hosts.
  • The Park Hotel, Ruapehu
    • A comfortable, cosy and well-located hikers and skiers lodge in National Park Village, Ruapehu.
  • Night Sky Cottage, Horopito
    • Luxury eco-retreat at the foot of Mt. Ruapehu

Useful Travel Services

New Zealand

  • Air New Zealand
    • International and national flight service. Trialling the use of bio-fuel to reduce carbon emissions! 
  • Qantas
    • International flight service.
  • Intercity Coachline
    • National coach service.
  • Tranzscenic Rail
    • National railway service. Auckland to Tongariro.
  • Interisland Ferry
    • Ferry service connecting the North and South Islands.
  • Bluebridge Ferry
    • Ferry service connecting the North and South Islands.
  • Go Rentals
    • Quality, well presented and maintained rental cars at very competitive prices in New Zealand. Free delivery to Auckland hotels.
  • Ace Rental Cars 
    • New Zealand car hire company with competitive rates which include unlimited kilometers insurance and roadside assistance.
  • Tui Campers NZ
    • Campervan rental company specialising in catering for international tourists.
  • New Zealand Tours
    • Offering small group guided tours, coach tours, self drive tours, private tours and sightseeing day tours throughout New Zealand.
  • Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter
    • Members committed to improving their environmental sustainability.
  • Organic Explorer
    • Green travel guide to sustainable NZ: eco-tourism, cafes and accommodation.
  • NZ Tourism Online
    • Comprehensive directory of NZ tourism operators, activities and accommodation.
  • Airfare to NZ
    • Find discount airfare to NZ with Canuckabroad.
  • Omega Rental Cars
    • Nationwide car rental in New Zealand – great rates, modern fleet, roadside assistance
  • Auckland Airport Car Hire
    • A global leader providing affordable car rentals all across New Zealand with high presence in Rotorua.
  • Go Kiwi Shuttles
    • Daily shuttle service between Auckland City and Thames, Coromandel Peninsula. Fast, affordable, reliable services.
  • Coromandel Adventures
    • Sightseeing and transport across the Coromandel Peninsula. Talk to Willie and Sarni today.
  • Summit Shuttles
    • For all your Tongariro Alpine Crossing transport needs.

World-wide

New Zealand Adventure Activities

Rotorua

  • Waimangu Volcanic Valley 
    • An exceptional walk through native forest and an active volcanic valley created by Mt Tarawera’s eruption in 1886.
  • Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park
    • A really special place featuring interesting volcanic formations including silica terraces and an unforgettable geothermal cave, situated on the shores of Lake Ohakuri.
  • River Rats Rafting
    • Great rafting adventures on the famous Kaituna rapids and other rivers in the region.
  • River Jet
    • The only place in NZ where you can jet boat to a thermal reserve and experience 2 of NZ’s best icons – jet boating and geothermal activity.
  • Rotorua Canopy Tours
    • Zipline through a tract of native bush
  • New Zealand Mountain Biking
    • Guided mountain biking trips on the worlds best tracks
  • Kaitiaki Adventures
    • Climb Mt. Tarawera or go rafting down the Kaituna River

Te Urewera National Park

  • Te Urewera Rainforest Route
    • A collection of tourism operators offering a range of guided wilderness experiences in the largest National Park in the North Island.
  • Ahurei Adventures
    • Hunting and fishing trips, marae stays and bush cabin accommodation, deep in Tuhoe country, hosted by local Maori.
  • Te Urewera Treks
    • Unique 1- to 3-day treks with local Maori guides in the Whirinaki Forest Park, Te Urewera National Park, and on private Maori land.

North Island

  • Moutuhora Island Sanctuary Tours
    • Award winning eco tours on New Zealand’s pest-free off shore oasis.
  • Whale & Dolphin Watch
    • Unique marine adventures in the coastal waters off Whakatane, including dolphin swimming and Whale Island eco-cultural guided walks.
  • Kanuka Wilderness Hunting
    • A hunting and fishing paradise, Palmerston North.
  • Active Earth NZ 
    • Adventure hiking safaris in the North Island.
  • Walk Gisborne
    • Three day unguided private farm, bush and coastal walk, with spectacular views, character accommodation, gourmet meals, bag transport, massages and NZ wine.
  • Fly Fishing Guide Tongariro
    • Local fishing legend Ken Drummond offers full and half-day guided fishing trips in Tongariro back-country, for all ages and experience levels.
  • Dolphin Seafaris
    • Whale and dolphin watching excursions off the sparkling Bay of Plenty city of Tauranga.
  • Bay Explorer
    • Whale watching and dolphin cruises from Tauranga city.
  • Hobbiton Movie Set Tours
    • World-famous movie set tours of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy filming location – the Shire.
  • Good Heavens
    • Star-gazing tours on Great Barrier Island, a world-renowned Dark Sky Reserve near Auckland.
  • Riverbug – Whitewater and scenic River Bug adventures
  • Dive Tatapouri – interact with stingrays in the wild in Gisborne, New Zealand.

New Zealand

  • Southern Wilderness
    • guided hikes on the Heaphy Track and other walks in the spectacular Nelson Lakes region of the South Island.
  • Kaikoura Wilderness Walks
    • operates 2 and 3 day guided walks through the privately owned Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve high in the Seaward Kaikoura Range.
  • Unlimited New Zealand
    • offer a one day guided trip to Arthur’s Pass National Park from Christchurch, which includes a half day guided walk and return journey on the TranzAlpine scenic train.
  • Pure Trails NZ
    • Active walking holidays exploring some of our favourite places in the South Island.
  • NZ Walking Company
    • Offer a range of walking holidays throughout New Zealand.
  • Backpack New Zealand
    • Comprehensive directory of activities and services available in New Zealand.
  • Backpacker Board New Zealand
    • The independent travel guide for New Zealand. Fully interactive online guide for backpacking and budget travel in NZ.
  • Backcountry NZ
    • I enjoy hiking the back country trails of NZ. Come and see spectacular views of the Milford, Routeburn, Kepler and Stewart island tracks.
  • Tourism Online
    • Comprehensive directory of tourism operators and activities in New Zealand.
  • Adventure New Zealand
    • Information, tours and itinerary planning for adventure travel to New Zealand.

New Zealand Information

  • Greenpeace
    • New Zealand and world-wide environmental campaigners. Check the site for their latest news and events, and to find out how you can help to save the world!
  • Kiwi Recovery Programme
    • A site loaded with interesting information about our threatened national bird, with a little info on the programme running at Waikaremoana.
  • 100% Pure New Zealand
    • The official New Zealand tourism site. Contains a wealth of information on travelling and tourism in New Zealand.
  • Department of Conservation
    • For more information on the Waikaremoana area and New Zealand’s other national parks and conservation areas.
  • Craig Potton Publishing
    • Independent New Zealand publisher and distributor of fabulous NZ books and photos, with particular focus on walks and the outdoors.
  • Gisborne Information Centre
    • Information on Gisborne and the East Cape area.
  • Rotorua Information Centre
    • Information on the Rotorua area.
  • Organic Explorer
    • Complete guide to New Zealand’s eco-tours, organic food and eco-accommodation.
  • Gym in a Suitcase
    • Christchurch based website providing information on health and fitness facilities for travellers.
  • Tramper NZ
    • New Zealand’s most extensive site devoted solely to our favourite activity, “tramping”, known as hiking or trekking in other parts of the world.
  • Peak Bagging
    • Forum and route descriptions of New Zealand’s peaks.
  • One Weather
    • Check out the weather in New Zealand today!
  • Qualmark
    • New Zealand tourism’s office
  • New Zealand Pocket Guide
    • The best, most comprehensive travel guide to New Zealand.
  • Met Service – New Zealand Weather Service
    • Check the weather conditions in New Zealand, up to the minute weather reports and charts.

Further Information

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