Our Streamlined Life. Kitted out in a thermal wet suit and jazzy pair of white gum boots, the team at Waitomo Adventures will take you abseiling into a dark abyss and scrambling over rocks in search of the tiny twinkling glowworms that call these caves home. But the Covid-19 pandemic has put the brakes on road trips north. Our North of the North Island road trip will take you right there, stopping at some of the most remote places in New Zealand. Go for a road trip on the East Cape route... READ MORE 19/04/2020. This segment explores two quirky landmarks. Parking is free. The local family-owned and operated Kohutapu Lodge is all about showcasing their Maori tribal heritage, which includes taking guests to see the oldest Maori rock carvings in the country, teaching the haka and cooking up an amazing hangi dinner, a traditional feast cooked in an underground over. One summer Mike and I set out on 15 day road trip from Edmonton to Vancouver Island and back. The writer drives around the "Devil's Bend" at Old Upper Thomson Road which was previously the street circuit for the Malaysian Grand Prix and Singapore Grand Prix between 1961 and 1973. The South Island has a bigger landmass than the north and takes a bit more time to experience. 198402868E. TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre. A magical wonderland millions of years in the making; Te Waipounamu/South Island was 60% covered in glaciers in the last ice age. No. Across the other end of the Central Catchment area from Rifle Range Road is Old Upper Thomson Road. This island has a lagoon in the middle with sea access only by kayak. After I was there for a few days my friend Claire of Claire’s Itchy Feet came over to Cozumel from Playa del Carman and we did a one day road trip in Cozumel. Log In. For more stories on exploring Singapore, go to the SG Go Where page. The lunch stop is Bollywood Veggies, one of a handful of farm-themed eateries in the Kranji area. After hanging out in a major tourist destination like Rotorua, you’ll probably feel ready to experience a more authentic slice of New Zealand culture, so it’s the perfect time to venture off the beaten track to the the shores of Lake Aniwhenua. Los Angeles has been my home for the past 15 years. This will give you a chance to paddle out to Whenuakura Island, or locally known as “Donut Island”. Wellington packs a lot of character into its downtown district, with heaps of cool restaurants, bars and cafes along Cuba Street and Courtenay Place. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG. Vancouver Island road trip guide by region. Feel free to follow BucketListly Blog's boards and get the latest pin directly from there as well. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG. The car parked at the "UFOs" or "giant spinning tops", storage tanks to hold Newater in Tampines. 4. Some 390ha of land will be redeveloped under a masterplan to create a high-tech agri-food cluster. Compare all campervans. The writer manoeuvres around one of the bends at the "99 turns" at South Buona Vista. Discovering Kangaroo Island on a Solo Road Trip. SPH Digital News / Copyright © 2020 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn. Places like Milford Sound, Queenstown and Wanaka are vital stops on any New Zealand backpacking itinerary! This campervan road trip … All Rights Reserved. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG. If you are planning for a road trip at Jeju Island, I hope this blog can help to plan on your self driving Jeju itinerary. Stray is a flexible adventure travel company, getting your further off the beaten track in New Zealand, Asia and Australia. Whatever you do, don’t be surprised if you find yourself falling in love with this Kiwi paradise – it’s the kind of place you’ll want to tell everyone you meet about after you’ve been here! Aside from the iconic Zorb and incredible white water rafting on offer, those keen for a high flying adventure should definitely check out the Rotorua Canopy Tours, a thrilling zipline adventure through native bush that is equal parts fun and educational. Blog; Roadlovers; 4 days in Madeira: road trip through the island by car; 4 days in Madeira: road trip through the island by car. The impressive Huka Falls are well worth a visit too and accessible enough to fit in with your other Taupo activities. It was where the Malaysian Grand Prix and Singapore Grand Prix were held. A road trip around the small island of Cozumel, Mexico will allow any visitor to see the real Cozumel outside of the Cozumel cruise ports. We flew into Vancouver and picked our hire car up at the airport. This is the end of the line for the Island Highway and the largest community in northern Vancouver Island. The lone casuarina tree (left) at Upper Seletar Reservoir. If you’re hiring a car in Vancouver, you can bring your rental car on the ferry, or alternatively, hire a car in Victoria, where this road trip begins.. Victoria The first stop is Rifle Range Road, which peels off from Dunearn Road. And if you’ve already fallen in love with New Zealand and want to see even more, you can always catch a ferry from Wellington across the Cook Strait and carry on with an ultimate South Island roadie! There’s a reason people rave about this 19km hike. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG. Diners can get a view of the Seletar Airport runway and parked planes, including private jets. The "UFOs" or "giant spinning tops" are storage tanks to hold Newater, which is water recycled from waste and treated to drinking quality. Adventurer, this article is for you! The first, a coffee break at the Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe, which is hidden in the Seletar Aerospace Park. We found the drive incredibly easy, including the motorways and the ferries. Relax knowing that you’ve completely maximised your time and experienced the very best destinations the North Island has to offer. There are fewer people down here so the road network is not quite as extensive as up north. Another one of the best road trips in Scotland is the Argyll Coastal Route. Not Now. Madeira Island has lovely cities, towns and beaches to explore. But the Covid-19 pandemic has put the brakes on road trips north. Check out the nightlife, restaurants, and entertainment. A 3km stretch of Old Upper Thomson Road is now a one-way street to accommodate a park connector. 36 people follow this. Following this New Zealand North Island road trip itinerary will be the adventure of a lifetime, but a real New Zealand road trip isn’t complete without including New Zealand’s South Island, which is possibly even more impressive! or. While Singapore's roads may not be as long and as varied as Malaysia's, there are still ample routes to keep both keen and casual travellers in gear, and little known out-of-the-way places to entertain explorers. Save for Later. The writer (third from left) at Belly View Cafe and Restaurant at Changi Coastal Walk. There is a lot to see and do around Rotorua, so it’s completely understandable if you decide you need more than just one day here! For most visitors to New Zealand, the journey starts in Auckland. It describes the epic battle in Pasir Panjang during World War II, where Lieutenant Adnan Saidi and the Malay Regiment fought the Japanese invaders from Feb 13 to 14, 1942. The three stops in this segment are at the fringes of the Central Catchment area, with attractions that will appeal to nature and history buffs. A taste of the north island. Hahei, a tiny beach town on the Coromandel Peninsula, is nothing short of paradise and it’s the perfect home base for your first couple nights. This road trip combines both mountains and coastline for a priceless experience. As these glaciers retreated from the snow-capped Alps, they left behind gigantic fjords, stunning valleys and breathtaking bright blue lakes. If you somehow find yourself needing a little break from the sun and surf, check out Bridal Veil Falls, an epic 55m waterfall hidden down a short bush track that’s only a 20 minute drive outside town. Note that it is a long drive in, so plan to spend two nights at Blue Duck so you have a full free day to explore this magical destination. Rotorua is also the best place to treat yourself to a little pamper session at one of the city’s natural geothermal spas or for movie buffs to access the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, the real set used in those little Lord of the Rings films. I arrived in the afternoon at Taipei Songshan Airport which is located downtown. Posted by Spaceships Crew . The route also covers the Lim Chu Kang and Kranji areas which are set to be transformed into Singapore's food bowl, as the country ramps up its drive to produce more food locally as a buffer against global supply shocks. The lunchtime crowd at Bollywood Veggies in Neo Tiew Road. Home » Blog » New Zealand » Must-dos on any North Island road trip I have been living in New Zealand for almost five years, the vast majority of which has been spent down on the iconic South Island, mostly because I have been living in Wanaka but also because I … The long and wide road is favoured by street racers for illegal car and motorbike races. You will, therefore, find what I’ve categorised as regions to be different from those seen on other maps online. Itinerary: This Jeju Island road trip itinerary will take you one week. It leads to Sarimbun Beach, where the first wave of Japanese soldiers landed on Feb 8, 1942, marking the start of the World War II battle for Singapore. ST assistant news editor Toh Yong Chuan embarks on a 200km road trip around Singapore to seek out interesting driving routes and unusual places. Duration: Fast-paced=7 days, relaxed=10 days+. Next. Gain an understanding of traditional Scottish culture as you cruise through many different lochs. Create New Account. Diners can check out the flight paths of planes landing and taking off from the Changi Airport, and soak in views of the sun setting over the horizon. Things you should know about the Great Walks of New Zealand. It’s impossible to be bored in Rotorua! All rights reserved. Book a campervan. As New Zealand's largest city, it's a great place to explore for at least a few days. The route skirts the perimeter of the Central Catchment area before heading east to Punggol and Changi. Nick's Rock and Roll Bar. The writer driving along the Bahtera track which leads to the Sarimbun Beach landing site. The Great Singapore Drive: Take a 200km road trip without leaving the country. After the club, the road cuts into the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, one of few public roads inside the reserve. From Blue Duck, it’s only a short drive to reach the heart of the Tongariro National Park and starting point of the epic Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. A West Coast of New Zealand road trip takes in some of the best locations in the country, not just the South Island. You can connect these itineraries with the “connecting itineraries” in the next section of this blog to make an epic North and South Island road trip in New Zealand! Community See All. You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month. You’ll probably be screaming a little during the free fall plunge from the plane, but remember to take in the spectacular views of the nearby mountains of Tongariro National Park once the parachute opens and you’re gently sailing back to earth. Here is the ultimate South Island New Zealand itinerary by Kiwi travel blogger, Delilah Hart. The real highlight here is hearing how your hosts aim to promote this decidedly non-touristy region to visitors in the hopes that it will give the entire community a boost, especially for the sake of the local school kids. Most renowned for its black sand beaches and legendary left-hand surf break, if you’ve ever wanted to learn to surf, this is the place to do it! (Note to those short on time: Taupo is one of the best places to turn around and head back to Auckland if you only have one week to play on the North Island – the return drive from Taupo to Auckland is approximately 3.5 hours.). Waterfalls started to spill over cliffs, stony braided rivers started to form and lush temperate rainforest started to grow. You will have more time to take longer hikes and reach farther places, exploring more parts of the island! For Day 1 a judicious tip from the Jucy guy encouraged me to head inland on the scenic route for the long drive south to Wanaka, the destination for the first night. For entertainment, you have the option to go horseback riding over rolling green hills, check out farm life with a 4WD buggy ride around the farm, kayak on the winding Whanganui River or assist with pest and predator eradication. After Tuas, the next stop is the "40 lamp posts", or Lim Chu Kang Road, which is Singapore's "spare runway". ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG. The writer drives past the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands. Bridge to Padre Island, Texas. With kayak day tours, perfect hiking tracks and beaches all around. Pop into Pedal and Paddle rental shop and rent a double kayak for 2 hours for $60 NZD. A Taste of the North Island: 7-10 Days . Aside from the beach, Raglan is also one of the best places to find an amazing cup of coffee – try a Raglan Roast for your local java hit. The drive ends at Mount Faber. The drive continues through major Shenton Way landmarks like the Marina Bay Financial Centre, Lau Pa Sat and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Building, and Keppel Road landmarks like the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. If you came to New Zealand in search of a real adrenaline rush, your next stop at Taupo is where you will find the ultimate thrill: a skydive over the Great Lake Taupo! The journey ends at Mount Faber, which is near Seah Im carpark where it all started. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG. Contact Road trip 2018 en Islande on Messenger. The national hero died as a result of the fight. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG. SINGAPORE - For some in Singapore, road trips to Malaysia are regular affairs. When completed in 2040, it will be the world's largest fully automated terminal. Narragansett is home to the lovely Narragansett Town Beach and Point Judith Lighthouse, and if you hop on the Block Island Ferry you are only a short trip away from Block Island, where you can enjoy the sights of the Mohegan Bluffs or party it up at Capt. But fear not — we’ve done all the trip planning for you and put together the best 2 week South Island itinerary you’ll find! You can spend a good chuck of your next travel day exploring the underground wonders of Waitomo’s massive cave network. Starting in Vancouver. I hope this Taiwan road trip itinerary helps you while planning your trip to Taiwan. There are several car rental companies as well as car types to choose from and it always depends on what you wish to do, how comfy you like it to be and how much you are actually able to spend. I spent a week in Cozumel scuba diving, exploring and relaxing. You’ve got a couple of free activity options to fill your afternoon too: browse through the exhibits at Te Papa National Museum, climb to the top of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and its harbour or take a more relaxing walk along the waterfront and Oriental Parade. The eatery serves affordable local zi char dishes such as fried rice and prawn-paste chicken. The writer driving along the "40 lamp posts" at Lim Chu Kang Road. After dinner, the route takes drivers to Sheares Bridge for a view of the Marina Bay skyline, Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, Bay East Garden and the Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay. About See All. A video’s worth a thousand words – here’s a sneak peek of what to expect when you road trip around the North Island with Stray! Your next port of call is Rotorua, the North Island’s top geothermal hot spot and hub for all manner of adventure activities. © 2016 Stray Ltd - New Zealand Adventure Travel. What to include in your New Zealand North Island Itinerary? If you’ve been dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime New Zealand adventure that gives you a taste of the very best the North Island has to offer, look no further! So The Straits Times took the road less travelled - a 200km drive around Singapore. But a log-in is still required for our PDFs. New Zealand is a name synonymous with adventure, mountains and the great outdoors. The road is flanked by the Lim Chu Kang cemeteries and Tengah Airbase. But its main attraction for visitors is as a jumping off point for all sorts of exciting wilderness adventures. The 110kmh speed limit on most stretches of Malaysia's North-South Highway, and scenic roads like the Terengganu coastal highway, also allow keen drivers and bikers to stretch the performance of their vehicles, within legal limits, while exploring new places. In this guide, the trip we took - in a Mini Convertible - is divided into four parts, which can be completed separately or in a day. Insider tip: There is no carpark near the "UFOs", so look out for a runoff area opposite the Tian Teck Keng temple to park and take photos. 13. Share gift link below with your friends and family. Start: Auckland. While other sources may do so differently, for the purpose of this road trip guide I have personally divided Vancouver Island into regions based on road access. Page Transparency See More. The highlight of the drive is the construction site of Tuas Mega Port. If skydiving is a bit too extreme, there are plenty of earthbound options in Taupo, including mountain biking, hiking, sailing on the lake and even bungy jumping. Love From, Scotland x. Start your free day off by watching the sun rise on Hahei Beach, before heading to the famous Cathedral Cove by way of boat tour, sea kayak or on foot. I suggest reading the South Island itinerary post first then delving into this one for all the New Zealand North Island road trip details. For history buffs, there is a historical marker in Kent Ridge Park off South Buona Vista Road worth stopping for. It’s time to move on from the east coast to the west, travelling to New Zealand’s surf mecca Raglan, a laid back town awash with long haired surfer dudes and hippy chicks. When I first visited Kangaroo Island 10 years ago, I was not aware of how much this island had to offer and decided to go on a day tour. Insider tip: Slow down at this stretch. Your North Island road trip won’t be complete without a stop in the ‘coolest little capital’ in the world, Wellington, at the southern tip of the island. Dreaming of a New Zealand road trip? Post was not sent - check your email addresses! ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG, Bollywood Veggies in Neo Tiew Road. One of my favorite areas in Jeju was Aewol.