Nous partons (2 adultes, 2 enfants 6 et 7 ans) sur l'île du Nord de la NZ mais pour 9 jours seulement.
2 jours seront consacrés à Auckland, il ne nous reste plus que 7 jours pour visiter l'île.
Que me conseillez-vous ? Quels sont les sites à ne pas manquer (avec 2 enfants)?
Je ne tiens pas à faire l'île à fond bien sûr, plutôt à me consacrer à 2-3 endroits, à profiter du paysage, à voir des choses différentes.
J'avais en vue : Rotorua, Coromandel ou le Northland.
Ben... les trois options sont de bonnes idées ! Mais les trois en une semaine ça risque d'être un peu la course... et par leur proximité géographique Coromandel et Rotorua sont plus facilement cumulables que le Northland avec une autre.
J'essaie de faire un petit résumé, et pour illustrer j'ajoute le lien vers les pages correspondantes de notre blog si tu souhaites jeter un oeil pour vous faire une idée :Le Northland : plus sauvage et moins fréquenté que le reste de l'île du Nord, beaucoup de balades en forêt (Kaori Coast...) ou le long de la côte du côté du Cap Reinga tout au Nord. Des plages superbes à dénicher, sur la presqu'île de Karikari par exemple. Un coin qui peut être sympa pour des enfants ce sont les dunes géantes de Te Paki (un peu avant le Cap Reinga) où on peut faire de la luge ou d'autres formes de glisse dans les pentes de sable
Karikari Peninsula - blog des Lapinous - Northland
La péninsule de Coromandel : des paysages et des plages magnifiques, des balades en forêt, pour nous ça a été un vrai coup de coeur. Les découvertes sympa pour des enfants ça peut être Hot Water Beach, des sources d'eau brûlante à même la plage où il suffit de creuser un trou pour prendre un bain chaud, ou encore jouer aux mineurs dans les galeries aménagées de Karangahake Gorge (vers Waihi, un peu au sud de la presqu'île), des anciennes mines d'or.
Paradise Cove - blog des Lapinous - Coromandel
Rotorua : bon c'est un coin très touristique... avec des attractions montées de toutes pièces pour attirer les familles : luge d'été, le Zorb (balle gonflable dans laquelle on dévale une pente)... mais surtout truffé de bizarreries géothermiques qui valent le coup. Geysers, mares de boue qui bouillonnent, lacs de toutes les couleurs... il y a plusieurs parcs qui offrent à travers des parcours aménagés un aperçu des étrangetés du coin. On a bien aimé Wai-O-Tapu, sur la route qui part vers Taupo. Il y a aussi quelques coins sympa à découvrir par soi-même à travers des balades, notamment des sources chaudes.
Wai-O-Tapu - blog des Lapinous - Rotorua
Voila pour un petit aperçu des trois zones auxquelles tu songeais... pour résumer je dirais que même si le Northland est magnifique, Coromandel et la région de Rotorua ont un petit côté plus "extraordinaire" pour des enfants (pour des adultes aussi d'ailleurs), et puis sont facilement conciliables géographiquement. Sur une semaine c'est tout à fait envisageable à mon avis.
Salut Vini,
Le message des lapinous est super intéressant (leur site internet est super également), mais ils ne se sont pas trop mouillés 😉. Alors moi je me mouille et je dis que tu devrais privilégier le Northland.
En premier lieu 7 jours est une bonne durée pour en faire le tour. Il ne faut pas traîner en route, mais ça permet d'aller explorer les principaux endroits de cette région. Il y a également beaucoup d'activités qui vont plaire aux enfants : observation des dauphins, toboggan sur des dunes de sable géantes, beaucoup de petites marches intéressantes, possibilité de visiter des fermes (mes enfants avaient pu donner le biberon à un agneau), des plages pour se baigner, etc. Par comparaison la région des volcans (que j'adore) nécessite d'effectuer des marches plus longues (6-7 heures pour le Tongariro crossing) pour en profiter pleinement.
Une raison subsidiaire pour privilégier le Northland est également liée à un éventuel 2ème voyage (plus long) dans quelques années. Il sera beaucoup plus facile d'inclure Coromandel et Rotorua dans votre itinéraire, plutôt que le Northland (c'est toujours un peu le casse-tête de visiter le Northland car il ne s'intègre pas bien dans un trajet Auckland - Christchurch par exemple).
Bref, maintenant que je t'ai vendu mon choix, je te propose un itinéraire qui passe en revue des sites intéressants du Northland. Et tant qu'à faire je vais essayer de le faire tenir en 7 jours :
Jour 1 : Auckland - Piha - Parakai (110 km, 2 heures de route)
Quitter Auckland au plus vite et s'enfoncer rapidement dans la nature néo-zélandaise (Waitakere regional park). Nombreuses possibilités de balades et possibilité de fouler la plage de Piha (celle du film "la leçon de piano"). Pour finir la journée en beauté pourquoi ne pas aller à la piscine de Parakai.
Jour 2 : Parakai - Matakohe - Omapere (240 km, 3 heures 40)
Prendre la direction de Matakohe et visiter le musée du kauri (c'est super intéressant de connaître l'histoire de ces arbres gigantesques avant d'aller les découvrir dans la forêt). La seconde partie de la journée peut être consacrée à de petites balades dans les forêts de kauris : Tane Mahuta, Te Matua Ngahere, Trounson Kauri Park
Au bord du Hokianga Harbour les villes de Omapere/Opononi proposent un magnifique cadre pour passer la nuit.
Jour 3 : Omapere - Ahipara - Houhora (150 km, 2 heures 30)
En remontant vers Ahipara, il faudra prendre un petit ferry à Rawene (avec la voiture). Ahipara permet d'accéder facilement à l'immmmense Ninety Mile Beach (ça vaut le coup d'oeil). Possibilité de passer la nuit à Houhora qui est l'un des derniers endroits habités avant le cap Reinga (il y a un petit musée, Wagener, mais c'est d'un intérêt limité... c'est plus un petit amusement).
Jour 4 : Houhora - Cap Reinga - Maitai Bay (220 km, 3 heures)
En route pour l'extrémité de la NZ et le magnifique cap Reinga (possibilité de marcher jusqu'à la plage de Te Werahi ou alors de rouler jusqu'à celle de Tapotupotu). En revenant ne pas manquer d'aller sur les dunes de sable géantes de Te Paki (et essayer le sand tobogganing !). Pour passer la nuit je recommande la Maitai Bay (sur la péninsule de Karikari), une plage idéale pour la baignade (lorsque j'y suis allé il y avait des dauphins à 20 mètres de la plage !).
Jour 5 : Maitai Bay - Paihia (120 km, 2 heures 15)
Si vous gardez un bon souvenir des kauris, il est possible d'en observer d'autres (un peu plus jeunes) dans la Puketi Forest (petites balades comme dans la forêt de Waipoua). A Kerikeri possibilité de visiter le village maori de Rewa's (village reconstitué). Le site où a été signé le traité de Waitangi est également très intéressant (malheureusement l'entrée est un peu chère). A proximité de Waitangi une jolie balade permet de découvrir la mangrove (des passerelles sont aménagées)
Jour 6 : Paihia
Beacoup d'activités sont possibles dans la Baie des Iles : tour en bateau (dauphins), visite de Russel, visite d'une ferme (c'est là que mes enfants avaient pu donner le biberon à des agneaux), etc.
Jour 7 : Paihia - Whangarei - Auckland (230 km, 3 heures 15)
Le retour sur Auckland avec la possibilité de visiter Whangarei (la marche de Whangarei Falls est assez sympa avec la possibilité de la prolonger jusqu'au AH Reed Memorial Park (dernier endroit pour observer quelques kauris). A Warkworth il y a le sheep world (mais je n'y suis pas allé). Et avant de plonger dans l'immensité d'Auckland il y a plusieurs parcs régionaux pour s'immerger encore une fois dans la nature néo-zélandaise (par exemple celui de Okura).
Voilà, je me suis fait un peu plaisir en replongeant dans plein de souvenirs, peut-être que ça pourra également te servir ! Quel que soit votre choix final de lieux à explorer, je pense que vous aurez beaucoup de plaisir.
Bonnes découvertes
Pascal
un grand merci à Lapinou et Fantail pour vos réponses.
Lapinou, j'avais déjà jeté un coup d'œil sur ton site, très sympa d'ailleurs.
Vous m'avez tout les 2 fait une réponse qui va bien m'aider maintenant à faire mes choix.
Je me laisse une bonne semaine pour étudier tout ce que vous m'avez écris et finaliser mon projet.
Fantail, malheureusement je ne pense pas qu'il y aura un second voyage dans les 10-15 prochaines années (à moins de gagner au loto).
C'est un voyage auquel je rêve depuis près de 20 ans! Il ne sera pas aussi long qu'il le faudrait mais je m'en contenterai (je suis déjà super ravie).
Tout d'abord, merci de nous faire partager vos expériences, c'est vraiment inestimable.;. Je vous sollicite une fois de plus pour vous demander la chose…
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Our daughter has gone to Sydney, and we’d love to spend the end-of-year holidays with her.
The plan is to leave from Paris or Brussels and break up the trip with a 3- or 4-day layover to "split" the journey in two.
Then head back to Sydney, explore the East Coast in a van, celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in Sydney, and finally return to France with another layover.
My questions:
Which city should we choose for the layover (we’ve already visited Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and would like to see a different city)? Both on the way there and back?
Which agency should we rent a van from?
What sites should we visit on the East Coast?
If you’ve done this kind of trip before and have any tips or advice, I’d love to hear them.
Hi everyone! I’m planning a long trip of two and a half months and could use some input to fine-tune my itinerary. I already have a good idea of the dates and how the climate will vary depending on where we are in Australia. Feel free to share your thoughts!
**Zone 1: DARWIN – August 17 to 22 (6 days)**
Activities & visits: Crocosaurus Cove, Kakadu Park scenic flight, 3-day excursion to Kakadu, Litchfield, and Katherine National Parks
Flight to Alice Springs on the 23rd
**Zone 2: ALICE SPRINGS – ULURU – August 23 to 30 (8 days)**
Car rental
Activities & visits: Alice Springs (1 day), West MacDonnell Ranges (1 day), Watarrka National Park, Uluru (3 days)
Flight to Cairns on the 31st
**Zone 3: CAIRNS – August 31 to September 9 (10 days)**
Car rental from the 31st to the 6th
Activities & visits: Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest, Mount Quincan, Herberton Historic Village, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef
Bus to Townsville on the 10th
**Zone 4: TOWNSVILLE – NOOSA – September 10 to 26 (17 days)**
Activities & visits: Magnetic Island
Bus to Airlie Beach on the 13th
Activities & visits: Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef
Car rental from the 17th to the 20th
Activities & visits: Eungella National Park
Overnight bus from Mackay to Hervey Bay (20th to 21st)
Activities & visits: K’gari (Fraser Island)
Bus to Noosa on the 25th
Activities & visits: Noosa National Park
Bus to Brisbane on the 27th
**Zone 5: BRISBANE – September 27 to October 1 (5 days)**
Car rental from the 29th to the 1st
Activities & visits: Brisbane, Glass House Mountains, Springbrook National Park, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Bus to Coffs Harbour on the 2nd
**Zone 6: COFFS HARBOUR – October 2 to 4**
Car rental from the 3rd to the 4th
Activities & visits: Dorrigo National Park
Overnight bus to Sydney (4th to 5th)
**Zone 7: SYDNEY – October 5 to 9 (5 days)**
Car rental from the 7th to the 9th
Activities & visits: Sydney, Blue Mountains, Jenolan Caves
Overnight bus to Melbourne (9th to 10th)
**Zone 8: MELBOURNE – October 10 to 16 (7 days)**
Car rental from the 13th to the 16th
Activities & visits: Melbourne, Phillip Island, Great Ocean Road
Flight to Hobart on the 17th
**Zone 9: TASMANIA – October 17 to 23 (6 days)**
Car rental from the 17th to the 23rd
Activities & visits: Hobart, Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet National Park, Natureworld
Flight to Perth on the 23rd
**Zone 10: PERTH – October 24 to 27 (4 days)**
Activities & visits: Rottnest Island, Wave Rock, Perth
Flight to Paris on the 28th
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the scattered info out there and I'm struggling to organize my solo trip to French Polynesia. I'm all about snorkeling—no hiking for me—so it's all about the water, water, water... I'd love to meet whales (what's the best season?), stay with locals or in budget guesthouses (I'm pretty low-key, no worries about comfort), and most importantly, be as close to the coral reefs as possible (all day long...).
I'm retired, so I've got plenty of time...
If you can help, it would mean the world to me.
Thanks everyone! !
Hi,
I'm planning a trip to this region in November. My initial plan was Adelaide-Darwin by van, but I'm worried about those critters. I'm now considering staying in hotels instead, but for the Red Centre, camping is more practical... if we overlook those pests.
What do you think? Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m reaching out because I’m finally living my dream later this year, and I could really use your advice!
On December 26th, I’m flying to Tahiti, then Moorea, and finally Bora-Bora.
Since I’ll be staying in Bora-Bora for several days, I’d love to take a day trip to another island: either Maupiti or Tahaa-Raiatea (my top picks...).
My issue is that the schedules for getting to Tahaa and then to Raiatea don’t quite work for me. Here are the two options I’ve looked into:
**Option 1: Day trip to Tahaa-Raiatea**
- Morning departure at 7:00 AM to Tahaa from Vaitape (I’ll be staying on a motu, so I need to check if there’s a shuttle connecting the motu to Vaitape early enough).
- Arrival at 8:15 AM in Poutoru, Tahaa. Tour of the island, visit to a vanilla plantation.
- Hire a "private" boat to Raiatea around 12:00–1:00 PM.
- Tour of Raiatea.
- Departure at 4:00 PM from Uturoa (Raiatea) back to Bora-Bora.
**Option 2: Day trip to Maupiti**
- Morning departure from Bora-Bora at 8:30 AM.
- Arrival in Maupiti at 10:05 AM. Visit the island and the motus.
- Return in the evening at 4:00 PM.
My questions:
- Will I have enough time to explore Tahaa-Raiatea from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM?
- Car rental? Bike rental? For all three islands...
- Time lost during rentals?
- Distance between rental shops and the ports where I arrive?
- For Tahaa and Raiatea, should I hire a guide? Would that be better organized, meaning no car rental needed, to save time or explore the island on my own?
- Finally, what do you think of these three islands and their points of interest? Which would you choose between Maupiti and Tahaa-Raiatea?
If you can shed some light on this, I’d be so grateful!!!!!!!
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and advice!
Hello! We’re heading to the Marquesas in July-August and I’d love to know if it’s possible, for a fee, to do a leg of the journey on the Aranui—like from Hiva Oa to Fatu Hiva, or Nuku Hiva to Ua Pou, or even Ua Pou to Ua Huka? Sure, there are shuttles twice a week with Codim connecting these islands, but the schedules won’t be known until two months in advance, and I need to book flights and hotels much earlier than that. So, what’s the best way to handle this?
Looking forward to your replies—thanks in advance!
Elisabeth Marcel
babeth.marcel@yahoo.fr
Hi there,
I’d like to go to French Polynesia.
I found round-trip flights for 650 € with Air Caraïbes.
That seems really cheap—anyone here who can tell me about this airline if you’ve flown with them before?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi everyone. I’ve got a round-trip ticket to Perth for 4 weeks. Is it better to stay on the west coast the whole time?
Or should I grab a round-trip to the east coast?
Or even head over to NZ as well?
Thanks for your tips.
We’re crossing New Zealand next April and we’re wondering which to choose between exploring Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.
The first is more well-known, famous, and popular, a UNESCO natural heritage site, while the second can be just as spectacular—bigger, harder to access, and less touristy.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I’ve blocked out 3 weeks at the end of March/beginning of April, arriving in Sydney and departing from Adelaide while following the coast.
Kangaroo Island is a bit of a question mark for me. If I go, I can dedicate 2.5 days to it. Is it worth the time and the cost? I’ve read plenty of travel journals highlighting the landscapes and wildlife, but I’m sure I’ll see plenty of that along my route anyway. I’m not factoring in the financial side (which isn’t negligible for KI), but I’d rather not be disappointed. What are the real added values of KI, especially since the island has been affected by fires? I’ve also come across people online calling it a tourist trap. For example, I ruled out Phillip Island because it felt too organized and structured. Sorry if I’m opening Pandora’s box here!
Hi! I just spent a month in New Caledonia (backpacking/tent) and I know some of you were looking for info on accommodations and itineraries, so feel free to reach out if you want me to share my little experience. Just to say—New Caledonia is AMAZING!!!
Hi there,
I just got back from two weeks in Fiji, and I noticed the forum discussions here are a bit outdated (the most recent ones are from 2017).
So feel free to ask if you'd like an update!
Hi,
I’m heading to Viti Levu, the main island, for a few days’ vacation.
I usually rent a two-wheeler to keep some independence.
On several forums, people advised against it—first because it’s not really the local culture, and also because of the road conditions and local driving habits.
But I’m a bit wary of English-language forums where the typical vacation is just airport-resort-airport with a taxi in between.
Can you confirm if it’s really that risky compared to, say, Southeast Asia? What are the alternatives? Buses, taxis?
Thanks!
I’m planning and budgeting a trip to Australia for August 2026, lasting 40 days.
Here’s the current itinerary:
Arrival at Port Macquarie Airport in New South Wales and return from Cairns Airport in Queensland.
- South West Rock
- Cap Ridge Park
- Springbrook Park
- Stradbroke Island
- Maleny
- Noosa
- Rainbow Beach
- K’Gari
- Gladstone
- Heron Island
- Airlie Beach
- Townsville
- Magnetic Island
- Cairns
- Cape Tribulation
My main issue is transport to cover all of this.
The first leg is already tricky—I haven’t found a way to rent a car in Port Macquarie and drop it off in South West Rock.
And if we keep the vehicle until Cleveland (8 days) before taking the ferry to Stradbroke Island, it’s already around 1000 €.
- Are there any systems where we could buy a vehicle in Port Macquarie and be sure it’s bought back at the end of the trip in Cairns?
- Do you know of any Australian online car rental sites?
As for trains, they’re not really an option for our stay in New South Wales.
In Queensland, I found the Queensland Rail Travel website with a Brisbane–Cairns line, but trains don’t run every day.
- Do you know of any other train companies in Queensland that connect coastal cities from Brisbane to Cairns?
For flights, I checked Queensland with Qantas, and most routes require a stopover in Brisbane, which wastes a lot of time, and the prices are still high.
Do you know of any low-cost airlines for domestic flights in Australia?
2025 is shaping up to be amazing, as I’m lucky enough to be planning a 6-week trip to Polynesia.
I wanted to buy the *Guide du Routard* (my favorite), but I discovered there isn’t one for this destination. And the *Lonely Planet* is from 2022, which I feel is already a bit outdated.
So I’m looking for other resources: in your opinion, what’s the best paper guide, and most importantly, what online resources have you used to prepare a trip to Polynesia?
My wife, our 3-year-old son, and I are planning a trip along Australia’s East Coast, leaving in early October and returning in mid-November. The plan is to do a 4-week road trip in a campervan, then settle down for about ten days.
The question I’m asking myself is: which way should we go? From Sydney to Cairns or the other way around? Despite all the documentation I’ve read, I’m still struggling to decide the best direction based on the climate at that time and swimming conditions.
Up north, the weather will be warmer, and the water too, unlike the south. However, in the north, there are swimming restrictions, especially because of jellyfish, whereas in the south, there seems to be less danger (apart from sharks, maybe). Are there many protected beaches in the north where we can swim safely?
Also, I should consider that in the south, the Great Barrier Reef no longer protects the beaches, so I imagine there are fewer calm spots for swimming?
I’d love any tips or advice you can share, and thanks in advance!
Hi there,
for a 6-month trip to Australia and NZ starting in NOVEMBER, I’d like to visit PNG and the Solomon Islands. Has anyone already explored these two countries?
How can you travel solo there—transport, accommodation, banking, safety—and what’s the best way to get there from AUS?
Thanks for any tips! Are there any French-language sites about these destinations?
Cheers,
jps
Hi there,
I’m leaving on March 4th for Australia from Réunion Island, landing in Perth, then a road trip down to Melbourne before flying out to Vietnam on April 15th.
I’d like to visit Perth and the surrounding area, then head southwest to Margaret River, Albany, Esperance, and back to Perth to catch a flight to Adelaide. From there, I’ll make my way to Melbourne.
1/ What do you think of this itinerary?
2/ For flights, are there any domestic airlines worth prioritizing for good prices?
3/ I’m planning to rent a car after exploring Perth and the area—I’m traveling solo. Any rental companies you’d recommend, as well as nice hotels, B&Bs, or hostels?
4/ Any tips, good deals, or info are welcome—don’t hesitate to share!
Thanks in advance.
I’m planning a solo trip from April 16th to June 2nd!
I have to work for 3 weeks in Papeete when I arrive in French Polynesia, so I can only explore on the weekends (3-day weekends). For my first weekend, I’ll visit Tahiti; my second weekend will be dedicated to Moorea, and the last weekend to Huahine.
After my work period, I’ll continue with my vacation and keep exploring:
Maupiti - 4 nights
Raiatea - 3 nights (including a day trip to Tahaa)
Bora Bora - 3 nights
Rangiroa - 4 nights (could do 3)
Tikehau - 2 nights (could do 3)
Fakarava - 3 nights
For activities, I’m mostly interested in discovering the islands, hiking, and observing wildlife.
I’m not a diver, but I plan to do a beginner’s dive once I’m there. I love snorkeling, though, and I’m wondering if I’m spending too much time in the Tuamotus, which are famous for diving from what I’ve seen.
For travel between the islands, I’ve already looked into the Bora Tuamotu Max pass, which seems like the best option, but I’d love advice on replacing it with one or more ferries.
What do you think? I’m struggling to finalize my itinerary.
We’ll be in Adelaide from February 24th to March 4th and we’d like to spend 3 days and 2 nights on Kangaroo Island.
Any recommendations?
We always travel with simple accommodations
Hi everyone, we're heading to Australia next month. We have 7 days to go from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road. Should we visit Kangaroo Island or not? We can't decide! Thanks for your advice.
We really want to see kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat.
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to NZ at the end of January.
It’s peak season—do you think it’s necessary to book activities in advance (like a cruise to Milford Sound), or is it not essential?
Thanks
We’ll be in New Zealand starting March 15th. We’re considering renting a car from Christchurch to Auckland. We’ve read that a lot of ferries have been canceled—is that true? Would it be better to rent one car in the South Island and another in the North Island? Thanks, and happy New Year!
Hi,
When I hear our French friends talk about them, they’re the most beautiful islands in the world.
For those of you who’ve traveled extensively, is that really the case?
Are the prices for accommodation, even basic ones, justified? Isn’t a room in a family-run guesthouse at 150/200 € a bit much?
Are there other islands in Polynesia (non-French) that are just as "paradise-like" but more affordable?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Karikari Peninsula - blog des Lapinous - Northland
Paradise Cove - blog des Lapinous - Coromandel
Wai-O-Tapu - blog des Lapinous - Rotorua
