Excursions From Napier
Gisborne
The first city in the world to see the sunrise, Gisborne is located on the curving coast of Poverty Bay, and lies at the centre of a fertile farming and horticultural district. The area is the North Island's main wine-making and grape-growing region, and a centre for action activities such as horse trekking, hunting and surfing. Whitewater rafting is available on the Motu and Mohaka Rivers.
RotoruaRotorua is a unique area of geothermal activity and one of New Zealand's leading tourist destinations. Scenic lakes, Maori culture, thermal springs and a wide range of outdoor activities make it a year-round favourite with visitors. The city is located on the North island's thermal belt at the edge of Lake Rotorua, with magnificent examples of bubbling mud pools, spouting geysers and steaming fumaroles. It is famous for its outstanding trout fishing.
TaupoThis attractive resort town takes its name from its site on the shores of New Zealand's largest lake, and is the hub of the North Island's central volcanic plateau.
Lake Taupo covers 64,750 hectares and is world-famous for its rainbow and brown trout fishing, and a popular base for watersports. Taupo accesses the rugged
Tongariro National Park incorporating the three volcanic peaks of Mount Ngauruhoe, Mount Tongariro and
Mount Ruapehu.
Te Urerewa National ParkA forested wilderness of 212,672 hectares, the park has a rich Maori history and is the largest untouched stretch of native forest in the North Island. It offers a variety of walks and hikes, including one of New Zealand's great walks around beautiful Lake Waikaremoana.