After picking up our latest campervan (a bit bigger and with an ensuite!) we started our 4 week overland journey down to the south island. Here are the highlights of the north island:

Bay of Islands: Took a great boat trip out to the islands and visited the famous hole in the rock.

It was also a good oppotunity to check out some of the local widelife (seals, dolphins, albatross, shoals of salmon etc). Kris got to dive the famous Rainbow Warrior (sunk by the French government in 1985) and I got fobbed off onto a cultural experience at the Waitangi treaty center where NZ become part of the commonwealth.

Rotorua: The famous sulphur city - phew does it stink of rotten eggs... mostly because of it's thermal activity, where one of the oldest Maori tribes still live and use the geothermal pools to wash and cook their food in.

We were treated to a tradtional Maori performance of song and dance to welcome us.

We took the more civilised option at the Polynesian Spa where we soaked in 40c thermal outdoor hotpools by the beauitiful lake...

Lake Taupo:

Wellington:

We took the quaint cable car (or funicular railway) up to the university for one of the best views of the city and harbour, and then a pleasant stoll back down via the Botanical gardens. Next stop the south island via the Lynx Interislander ferry, which will cost approx 220 dollars to take the van and ourselves over.