{"id":8770,"date":"2025-03-29T18:05:59","date_gmt":"2025-03-29T10:05:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/?p=8770"},"modified":"2025-07-05T11:49:02","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T03:49:02","slug":"new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/29\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-4\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand Self-Drive 2024 Day 4"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rotorua Rafting<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

At around 7.30 a.m., we reported to Rotorua Rafting for our White Water rafting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The course took us through some rough waters and 3 drops in the process. The last drop was 7 meters high, which is the highest drop commercially approved. It was a hell of an experience.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Miso Noodle<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

After the rafting, we had lunch at Miso Noodle in Rotorua.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Miso Noodle<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We tried their Fish & Chips, Shrimp Fried Rice, and Fried Dumplings.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blue Spring<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Our next destination was the Blue Spring at Te Wahou. But it was close.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blue Spring<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We could only view it from afar.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Giant Kiwi<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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Giant Kiwi<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The giant Kiwi at Ororohanga was next.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Giant Pukeko<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This Giant Pukeko can be found at a small lake near Otorohanga Railway Station<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Giant Pukeko<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We managed to spot one near the side of the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Giant Pukeko<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Close-up of the bird.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Spellbound Glowworm and Cave tours<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The second highlight of the day was the Spellbound Glowworm and Cave tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After a short briefing and a short ride in their shuttle bus. We arrived at the start point of the tour. A short walk was also required to reach the entrance of the cave.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Spellbound Glowworm and Cave tours<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The view of the surrounding area.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Spellbound Glowworm and Cave tours<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We were led into the cave once we were equipped properly for the walk.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Spellbound Glowworm and Cave tours<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This is how the glowworms look inside the cave. They look even better in total darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Spellbound Glowworm and Cave tours<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This is one of the best shots we could manage. They look like stars in the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Spellbound Glowworm and Cave tours<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

A closer look inside the cave. We had a wonderful time here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We ended the day with a delicious home-cooked meal. That’s the fun when staying in Airbnb while in New Zealand and Australia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At around 7.30 a.m., we reported to Rotorua Rafting for our White Water rafting. The course took us through some rough waters and 3 drops in the process. The last drop was 7 meters high, which is the highest drop commercially approved. It was a hell of an experience. After the rafting, we had lunch … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9061,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[946],"tags":[111,46,971,265,32,977,45,970,973,974,975,969,42,976,978,972,968],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_8530-1-scaled.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8700,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/29\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-3\/","url_meta":{"origin":8770,"position":0},"title":"New Zealand Self-Drive 2024 Day 3","date":"March 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The 2 girls prepared a hearty and delicious breakfast. We cleaned up the place and checked out of the Airbnb after breakfast. Aratiatia Dam 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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Zealand"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/freeneasytravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/20241021_182400-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":8770,"position":1},"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":8838,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/29\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-6\/","url_meta":{"origin":8770,"position":2},"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":9018,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/30\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-11\/","url_meta":{"origin":8770,"position":3},"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":8580,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/23\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-1-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":8770,"position":4},"title":"New Zealand Self-Drive 2024 Day 1 & 2","date":"March 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Lupins of Lake Tekapo Welcome to my New Zealand Self-Drive 2024! Since I started traveling, New Zealand has always been on my bucket list. This year is the perfect time to explore the awe-inspiring landscapes of New Zealand on my terms. Imagine navigating winding coastal roads, stopping at hidden beaches,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Zealand"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/freeneasytravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/20241020_193116-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8808,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/29\/new-zealand-self-drive-2024-day-5\/","url_meta":{"origin":8770,"position":5},"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":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8770"}],"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=8770"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8770\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10333,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8770\/revisions\/10333"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9061"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}