Amazing North Island trip
New Zealand | Sep 13 - Sep 20, 2024

M
Melissa K.
Australia | Reviewed on Sep 21, 2024

Our experience with Michelle arranging our Nth Island NZ trip was good from the beginning. It was easy to coordinate with her and we valued her insider knowledge as to what would be good for our family to see. Payment and finalising the itinerary was very easy using the kim kim site.

Our trip was fantastic. The accommodation chosen by Michelle was great. In Auckland - the swiss bell suites were close to everything, clean and perfect for our needs. The Weta workshop was great for kids, thankyou for this suggestion Michelle! Pick up and use of the rental car was easily done. In rotorua, we stayed in a lovely apartment part of a B&B which was also lovely with great hosts, in a nice quiet area. We would highly recommend the canopy tour, Te Puia experience and of course a visit to Hobbiton.

In Taupo, we stayed just outside in 2 mile and had an amazing family apartment which overlooked the lake, the only downside was that we were only there one night!

Everything in our holiday ran smoothly and Michelle had organised timing perfectly for our booked events.

Thankyou so much.

Hotel Reviews
Rotorua Views
Rotorua

Lovely hosts, quiet location, perfect for a family.

Authenticity & Character
Location
the location was picturesque, quiet and not far from anything that we wanted to do
Staff
Anne was excellent and gave us great advice on our time in Rotorua
Cleanliness & Comfort
Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park Auckland
Auckland

Clean, perfect location, great for family.

Authenticity & Character
Location
so close to everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Anchorage Resort
Taupo

What a lovely lakeview apartment. Perfect location, lovely warm pool, great for families

Authenticity & Character
Location
beautiful view across the lake
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Novotel Auckland Airport
Auckland

makes transfer to the airport so incredibly easy. We had adjoining room for the kids.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Weta Unleashed Auckland
Weta Unleashed Auckland
Auckland

This was a great suggestion from michelle, our boys (aged 10 and 12) loved this workshop.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
easy to walk to from our apartment.
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
New Zealand

Great for a family, we loved going to Hobbiton. Tour guide was great, experience was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Te Puia  - Te Ra guided experience with Haka and lunch (Once Upon a Trip exclusive)
Te Puia - Te Ra guided experience with Haka and lunch (Once Upon a Trip exclusive)
Rotorua

We did the guided tour with Maori experience (definitely recommend adding this) along with the Hangi lunch. This was a perfect cultural tour for our family.

Quality of Experience
Food
our family really enjoyed the hangi lunch.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
very close to our accommodation in rotorua
Zipline Canopy Tour
Zipline Canopy Tour
Rotorua

Great experience, the guides were amazing, the whole family enjoyed this experience. Photos included in price, not an added extra which was such a nice change.

Quality of Experience
Fantastic experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mitch and Steph were our guides - they were friendly, knowledgeable and reassuring. It was an amazing experience.
Transport
Not far from our accommodation in Rotorua
Luge Rides (incl. Gondola)
Luge Rides (incl. Gondola)
Rotorua

As a family, again we all enjoyed this experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
staff there were not a highlight in general.
Transport
not far from our accommodation
Wai-O-Tapu
Wai-O-Tapu
New Zealand

This really was a great experience. You are able to get up close to the geothermal areas, more so than Te Puia. We would recommend this, it wasn't too far from rotorua and we had time to do all of the walks.

Quality of Experience
we went first thing in the morning, barely anyone there so almost to ourselves.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
only 20mins out of rotorua so easy to get to.
Jetboat Huka Falls
Jetboat Huka Falls
Taupō

If you haven't been jet boating before, it is a great experience. was good to see huka falls from the river.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
guides were good.
Transport
Explore the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Explore the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
New Zealand

We just saw the glow worm caves. It was a lovely experience and we had a great guide. might have been good to see another cave also whilst there as they do some good packages.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Michelle Srzich
Michelle
Michelle Srzich
Local specialist in Auckland, New Zealand | Replied on Sep 26, 2024

Hi Melissa
Thanks for your feedback, I had such fun creating a family-friendly trip for you and I am glad you loved your time in New Zealand. We look forward to welcoming you back for the South Island next time!
Michelle