Day 3 of our 1 month Family Road Trip in New Zealand.
Aboard a car rental, 4 adults and a 3 yo toddler we waved goodbye to Auckland on a 228 km drive to Rotorua along State Highway 27. A drive that is roughly 3 hours and 15 minutes long (without breaks).
We chose an automatic car by the way with cruise control. The Hyundai Tucson was spacious enough for a family of 5 with a rear compartment equipped to accommodate all of our luggage and food baskets.
Yohann volunteered to drive and I willingly obliged. I was feeling anxious driving through the busy and confusing one-way streets within the city zone of Auckland.
I was the navigator of the day, comfortably settled at the front passenger seat with my thermos of hot coffee that I have prepared before leaving the hotel.
Driving on the Left
It was a huge adjustment for us to drive on the left side of the road.
Firstly, we had to get in the habit of utilizing our left hand instead of the right one to control the gear.
Every time we wanted to use the turn signals, we always ended up turning on the wiper by mistake. This happened frequently throughout the trip. :)
Imagine as well the initial stress of driving through a roundabout and observing road priorities.
Check out New Zealand Driving Road Code and Give-Way Rules prior to your trip.
Unfortunately, none of my companions were interested to visit the Lord of the Rings Filming Locations more popularly known as the Hobbiton Movie Set Tours and I didn't want to do it alone. I have always wanted to sit in the Green Dragon Pub and drink with the hobbits.
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They tried to cheer me up by making a short stop in Matamata where the Visitor Information Center is. Well at least I got to see a Smeagol Statue.
We continued our drive with a lunch picnic in mind at Rotorua Lakefront, Bay of Plenty Region.
Food On the Road
We were sticking to a meal budget per day and for this we made plans to choose hotel apartments with a kitchen, so we could prepare homemade meals. Hence, supermarket shopping was part of our itinerary.
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While on the road, we went on picnics because eating out in New Zealand is expensive. Picnic lunches at rest stops provided us a chance for bathroom breaks and a good stretch.
As special treats, we reserved dining out occasions whenever we were in major cities to try recommended local restaurants.
Check out our family video driving from Auckland to Rotorua with a stopover in Matamata and an afternoon visit to Lake Rotorua, Sulphur Point Wildlife Sanctuary and Rotorua Museum & Garden.
Travel Resources for your trip to New Zealand
Recommended by TravelFeed
Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights to New Zealand.
Accomodation: Explore the best places to stay in New Zealand on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.
Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.
Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.
Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!
Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.
Travel Planner: Need a hand planning? Our free travel planner chatbot is your personal guide to New Zealand. Chat now.
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