Jason L.'s
Indoor Activities for Kids, Tauranga
- 14The Rock HouseMount MaunganuiWhen I was a kid I loved indoor rock-climbing. The natural competitiveness between me and my brothers, that awesome thrill when you make it to the top, and the humour of the harness giving Dad a wedgie. The Rock House is an awesome idea to keep the kids busy on a wintery day while also keeping them fit and burning off some of that excess energy!
- 28Classic Flyers Aviation Museum Cafe & Conference VenueMount MaunganuiPlanes always hold a sense of fascination for kids, particularly classic planes. The Classic Flyers aviation museum is a great place to keep the kids occupied and also ensure they are indadvertedly learning something about history too! Let them run around the museum, hop inside the planes, go for a ride on the classic fire engine and then when they’re tired-out pop into the cafe for lunch. Classic Flyers also do kids birthday parties if you’re looking for that special venue for your little one’s party.
- 37Chipmunks TaurangaTaurangaUnfortunately taking the kids to the playground in winter is not so fun, but never fear there’s Chipmunks Playland. They have a huge playground filled with loads of exciting action, ball blaster canons, a giant inflatable slide, a great cafe… and they have free entry for parents. Also, look into their school holiday programmes as Chipmunks offer extra services during the school breaks.
- 410Fernland SpaBethlehemThere’s nothing more exhilarating than jumping into hot pools when it’s chilly or raining. Fernland is a bit of a hidden treasure in the Tauranga area, where most people opt for the Mount Hot Pools (which can be crazy on the weekends) Fernland is a more secluded, back-to-nature option. They also have a great BBQ and picnic area if the weather happens to be fine… if not, then stay in the pool the whole time!
- 53Paintball ExtremeTe MaungaKids driving you crazy? Take them out and shoot them… with paintballs. Paintball Extreme is Tauranga’s only indoor paintball and laser tag arena. This is a great thing to do with the whole family, or team up with another family and battle each other in a paintball war! If paintballs are a bit too much for you, you can also try the laser tag version of the game. Super fun on a rainy day!
Jason L.'s
Best Accommodation, Rotorua
- 11Hamurana LodgeNgongotahaSo, as you’ve probably guessed by now I’m going a bit off the beaten track for this list, and Hamurana Lodge is no exception. A 15 minute drive from the city centre into the Rotorua Hills overlooking Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island, this amazing getaway can’t be beat for views. Also the restaurant is amazing, and many people make the trip just for that. You can dine on the manor’s balcony or in the gardens, adding to the experience. Hamurana Lodge has all the facilities you’d expect from boutique accommodation, with that little bit of extra special charm.
- 22Black House on the point - Lake OkarekaLake OkarekaThis place is really something special. Black House on the Point is a privately owned property on the shore of Lake Okareka, one of Rotorua’s most beautiful lakes. Originally an old fishing lodge, it has been lovingly renovated by the current owners, and is now available for rent by the night. Don’t just take my word for it… it’s also won a few awards, and is considered one of the best holiday homes in New Zealand!
- 31Robertson House LimitedRotorua CentralPersonally, when I travel I always look to avoid typical hotels or motels and would rather stay in a place that has some character and charm. Robertson House is that kind of place, oozing with character and jam-packed with history, the home has even been listed with the Historic Places Trust. The house is almost 110 years old and is a prime example of a wooden Victorian villa. The house has been authentically restored to it’s former glory and its doors are now open as a classic Kiwi "Bed and Breakfast". This is the kind of place you feel blessed to have been able to set foot in, let alone sleep in.
- 41Black Swan Lakeside Boutique HotelKawaha PointSome places label themselves "boutique" undeservedly… Black Swan Hotel is NOT one of those places. Nestled amongst beautiful gardens on Kawaha Point, Lake Rotorua, Black Swan is close enough to the city centre for convenience but tucked away enough for you to feel like you have escaped the worries of everyday life. This place is perfection from inside out; mixing classic and modern elements the interior feels warm and intriguing, and outside the surprises don’t stop, with a beautiful established garden, private jetty, small beach, pool, sauna and even a "secret grotto". This place really is the thoroughbred of Rotorua hotels.
- 51Ok, maybe you’re a bit worn out by all the "luxury" options, here’s one that’s a bit more down-to-earth. At around the $40 mark The Fat Pigeon is an absolute steal. You won’t have the five-star restaurants of the boutique hotels, but you are guaranteed an authentic back-to-nature experience the way it’s meant to be. The best thing about The Fat Pigeon is that they’re eco-friendly, using solar and wind energy, recycling practices, sustainable grey water, composting and bio-degradable cleaning agents. The hosts really go all out here, you can use the house’s kayaks and bikes, also they have a small boat and offer trips to a hot water beach on Lake Tarawera and a secluded hot pool only accessible by boat. Yup, this place is pretty awesome.
Jason L.'s
Best Eggs Benedict, Rotorua
- 113Fat Dog Cafe & BarRotorua CentralWell Fat Dog always takes the first spot when it comes to cafe dining in Rotorua. Their eggs benedict is creamy, the bread is crispy and flavourful and like any Fat Dog dish, the serving is very generous. Also, I love a good hashbrown, so I’m always delighted to get one with my eggs benedict here. You can choose it to be served with bacon, salmon or veggies.
- 21Triple 1 FiveRotorua CentralBeautiful Eggs Benedict, the hollandaise sauce is near perfect! Also the ciabatta bread is great too, so good I keep meaning to ask where they source their bread. I’ll remember next time! Triple 1 Five’s Eggs Benedict comes pretty close to Fat Dog’s, and at a few dollars cheaper, you wouldn’t be put wrong to opt for this as your first breakkie choice.
- 36Picnic Cafe RotoruaRotorua CentralMan, I’m a sucker for crispy bacon with my Eggs Benedict, and Picnic did not disappoint! Cooked to perfection… as were the eggs. I also liked the added touch of tomato and pesto. The presentation was also amazing, more than you’d expect at breakfast time!
- 44Abracadabra Cafe & BarRotorua CentralAbracadabra is another place that sucks me in by putting hashbrowns with their Eggs Benedict. Also, they use ciabatta bread, unlike many places that use cheap English muffins. Their bread is beautifully crispy and char-grilled. Also, completely unrelated to the eggs, I love the atmosphere and decor here.
- 52The Office CafeLynmoreThe Office pride themselves on using quality, locally sourced, fresh ingredients, and it shows in their Eggs Benedict. Like the other places you can choose from bacon, salmon or spinach. I got mine with bacon and spinach -call me greedy! or maybe I just wanted something green on my plate to make me feel better. I was also happy that the spinach was fresh, and not boiled. A great Eggs Bennie!
Jason L.'s
Shopping for Winter Clothes in Whakatane
- 11Fashion WorksWhakataneA burst of colour and style, Fashion Works has a great selection of labels, designed and made in New Zealand and Australia. Fashion Works specialise in dressier, special occasion pieces that are more of a long-term investment than just your average throw-away fashion. Pop in and check out their range of winter jackets and dresses now.
- 21The Handcrafts StudioWhakataneThere’s absolutely nothing better than a hand knitted jumper for winter. Maybe your Grandma’s a bit too busy? or you want to support local, handmade product? Well then you need to pop into The Handcrafts Studio now. Like all good things, it’s a bit off the beaten track 20 minutes drive from Whakatane in the little seaside town of Matata. Handcrafts Studio have a great range of merino and alpaca garments, shawls, scarves and hats.
- 31Salt Air Surf ShopWhakataneAs is often the way in seaside towns, the best place to shop for clothes is often the local surf shop, and Whakatane’s Salt Air Surf Shop is definitely that. Don’t fear, they have a heap of winter clothes too. The store is huge and stocks a great selection of mens and womens streetwear. Whether you want some great new Roxy jeans or a Billabong hoodie, you can find it all here.
- 43Rosita'sWhakataneIf surfwear isn’t your thing and you like something a bit more high-fashion but are struggling to find it in Whakatane, well fear no more Rosita’s is here. Bringing a much needed injection of glamour onto The Strand, Rosita’s offers a range of sophisticated pieces for women young and old. Whether you want something different for the office or an evening dress for a special occasion, Rosita’s will have it. They stock Daughter’s Jeans, Alibi, Foil, Preen,Seduce, Petrena and But Different.
- 51OK, so you might not think of this place as a destination for "fashion", but as we head into the wet, chilly weather it’s often necessary to invest in something a bit more practical. For the sporty, more adventurous type Hunting & Fishing offers a great range of thermal wear, polar fleece, woollens and outer wear. The great thing about Hunting & Fishing is that every piece is top quality and is built to withstand all the elements.
Jason L.'s
Where to Shop for Mother's Day
- 11Bliss ChocolatesRotorua CentralI walked past the other day and Bliss had a plethora of gift-baskets and boxes ready for Mother’s Day. They may say that the way to a man’s heart of through his stomach, but we all know that the ladies like a bit of sneaky chocolate too! Spoil your Mum with some gourmet, handmade chocolates and you’ll be in her good-books for ages!
- 21Portico GalleryRotorua CentralJust like the name suggests, Portico Gallery is part-gallery, part-giftshop. They offer a great selection of NZ-made ceramics, homeware, prints and artwork. Also, originally a custom-framer with over 20 years experience you could take in your own piece of art for Mum and have it framed. Portico is the perfect place to find that special gift and avoid the generic, imported giftware that flood the market today.
- 31Spa at QERotorua CentralEvery Mum loves to be pampered! and what better place to do it than one of Rotorua’s oldest day spas. Grab your Mum a voucher and let her choose from their huge range of services. Spa at QE offer treatments such as mineral hot pools, mud baths and massages, or they also have a beauty salon on site for facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures. Make your Mum feel like a queen for a day!
- 41Mike Steiner Interior DesignRotorua CentralMike Steiner is a Rotorua institution and has been the go-to-man of interior decorating for years, but recently the store has had a major overhaul, re-branding simply to "Steiners" and sprucing up their store –both the physical one and online– so pop in or online and checkout what they have to offer. Steiners really is the best place to buy unique, luxury homewares in Rotorua.
Jason L.'s
Cheap Eats Rotorua
- 15Our Backyard PubRotorua CentralA classic, quality Kiwi pub, and with a name like this no surprises there… well, except for the amazing food! The best tip I can offer for this place is take advantage of the $12 lunch menu and score yourself a sweet spot on the secluded, leafy outdoor deck. Even if you miss the lunch specials they offer light meals throughout the day starting at only $8 through to full evening meals from $15-$25. I’ve eaten here many times and I always go back to my two favourites, the Pork Belly or the good, old classic Fish & Chips.
- 28Zippy CentralRotorua CentralZippy personifies the chilled-out, relaxed vibe of Rotorua. With it’s eclectic retro decor and super-friendly staff you’ll feel right at home… and of course, the food is great! The menu ranges from classic cafe food such as potato wedges and nachos, through to more substantial dishes like pasta and gourmet burgers. Every time I eat at Zippy I’m always surprised by three things: amazing staff, great coffee and HUGE, delicious meals– every time me and my friend wish we’d order one meal between the two of us. Great value for money.
- 33Chimney Indian RestaurantRotorua CentralWith everything under $15 Chimney’s is great value for money. All the servings are super-generous and packed full of herbs and spices. I ordered the Mango Chicken Curry and my friend the Nillgiris Lamb. We were both blown away by the amazing flavours. I’ve since ordered takeaway a few times and was equally impressed. Chimney is certainly a Rotorua gem!