{"id":8700,"date":"2025-03-29T17:57:39","date_gmt":"2025-03-29T09:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/?p=8700"},"modified":"2025-07-05T11:42:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T03:42:21","slug":"new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/29\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-3\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand Self-Drive 2024 Day 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The 2 girls prepared a hearty and delicious breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We cleaned up the place and checked out of the Airbnb after breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Aratiatia Dam<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Our first destination for the day was to witness the release of water from the Aratiatia Dam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The release of water created a rush of water downstream.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Huka Honey Hive<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Our next destination was the Huka Honey Hive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We tested and bought some honey from this shop.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Among the numerous geothermal walkways available, we decided to visit the Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The place was man-made, but worth the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Bakehouse Cafe<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We read that The Bakehouse Cafe is a popular local lunch place, so we came to try it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We ordered pies, fried chicken, and fries.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Arataki Honey<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

After lunch, we paid a visit to Arataki Honey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Checking out the venue for our White-water rafting tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tutea Falls<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The exciting and famous 7-meter drop Tutea Falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Next, we popped into this French Farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How can we miss out on the Giant Kiwi fruit?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arriving at our 2nd Airbnb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A nice and comfortable place.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Maunganui Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

After putting down our luggage, we came to Maunganui Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Mount Maunganui<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

There was still sun and time, so we scaled Mount Maunganui.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trying to decide the path we should take. There is an easy climb and a steep climb.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Mount Maunganui<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We took the steep path.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Mount Maunganui<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Wild goats could be found on the hillside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Up we go.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Mount Maunganui<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

A Star Compass greeted us at the summit.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Mount Maunganui<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Along with the magnificent view of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our home-cooked dinner for the night.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 2 girls prepared a hearty and delicious breakfast. We cleaned up the place and checked out of the Airbnb after breakfast. Our first destination for the day was to witness the release of water from the Aratiatia Dam. The release of water created a rush of water downstream. Our next destination was the Huka … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9060,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[946],"tags":[111,46,967,963,265,32,964,947,42,965,966],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/20241021_182400-scaled.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8808,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/29\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-5\/","url_meta":{"origin":8700,"position":0},"title":"New Zealand Self-Drive 2024 Day 5","date":"March 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"What better way to start the day than with a hearty breakfast? Waihi Goldmine Lookout Our first destination for the day was the Waihi Goldmine Lookout. Waihi Goldmine Lookout You will see this giant truck at the entrance of the mine. Waihi Goldmine Lookout From the top, we got a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Zealand"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/freeneasytravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/20241023_113724-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8838,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/29\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-6\/","url_meta":{"origin":8700,"position":1},"title":"New Zealand Self-Drive 2024 Day 6","date":"March 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Today, we will be taking the flight to Christchurch. The flight took about an hour plus. Christchurch Airport Hello Christchurch. Heading our way to collect our luggage. Ezi Car rental For this leg of the journey, we took Ezi Car rental again. Carl's Jr Our first meal in Christchurch was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Zealand"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/freeneasytravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/20241024_093419-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8940,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/30\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-9\/","url_meta":{"origin":8700,"position":2},"title":"New Zealand Self-Drive 2024 Day 9","date":"March 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In the morning, we had breakfast facing the snow-covered lake. Nice.......... Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Our destination for the day was Mount Cook. We stopped at Mt Cook Alpine Salmon for a break and the famous raw salmon. We bought the 500g version, which cost us 50 NZD. And we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Zealand"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/freeneasytravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/20241027_125655-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8896,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/29\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-8\/","url_meta":{"origin":8700,"position":3},"title":"New Zealand Self-Drive 2024 Day 8","date":"March 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Everyone chipped in to prepare breakfast. Breakfast is ready!!! Yummy!!! Arrowtown War Memorial Park As we moved off, we passed by the Arrowtown War Memorial Park. Feed the Goats at Arrowbelle Our first destination was to feed the Goats at Arrowbelle, but the rain was so heavy that the goat\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Zealand"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/freeneasytravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/20241026_142001-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9018,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/30\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-11\/","url_meta":{"origin":8700,"position":4},"title":"New Zealand Self-Drive 2024 Day 11","date":"March 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Riverside Market In the morning, we visited the Riverside Market. The indoor area is full of food stalls. Shopping is outside. The tram still operates here. After the Riverside market, we came to this Farmer's Market. Look at all the fruits and vegetables. Christchurch Botanic Gardens Our next destination was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Zealand"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/freeneasytravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/20241029_131840-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8974,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/30\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-10\/","url_meta":{"origin":8700,"position":5},"title":"New Zealand Self-Drive 2024 Day 10","date":"March 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The snow has fully melted, and we will be heading to Christchurch today. Making sure we had a full tank before setting off on our journey. Along the way, we saw several police cars enforcing speed limits. They are normally stationed at the end of a bend. It is usually\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Zealand"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/freeneasytravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/20241028_165731-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8700"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8700"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10329,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8700\/revisions\/10329"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}