Visit Auckland: Wild Bean Cafe

We had a long day ahead of us in New Zealand, so we decided to walk to Wild Bean Cafe, which was close to our hotel, for some quick eats.

Wild Bean Cafe is located inside the BP gas station convenience stores throughout New Zealand.  They have lots of food options, including grab-and-go, heat-and-eat, and even Krispy Kreme!

Cookies & Cream Donut

Sprinkle Donut

Chocolate Donut

Bacon & Egg Pie

Mince & Cheese Pie

The kids chose sweet eats, and I tried some savory pies. New Zealand is known for their savory pies, especially Mince & Cheese!  Wild Bean Cafe had several varieties of pies to choose from.

Wild Bean Cafe was a convenient stop to fuel up before our long day in New Zealand!

Wild Bean Cafe
420 Fenton St
Froude St
Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand

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Visit Rotorua: BurgerFuel

We saw the BurgerFuel chain all throughout New Zealand, so we knew we just had to give it a try.  We picked up food at a location in Rotorua.

Kumara Fries

Kids Fries

Kids  Cheeseburger

Kids Natural Nuggets

Bastard

Bacon Backfryer

I tried the Backfryer - crispy fried chicken topped with brie, bacon, and a sweet plum sauce.  It was totally worth the mess and multiple napkins!  I loved the sweetness of the plum sauce combined with the salty bacon.  It was a really great sandwich!

The Bastard consisted of cheddar, bacon, avocado, mango, beets, and you could add a fried egg for an additional cost! 

We ordered Kumara Fries, since Kumara seemed to be everywhere in NZ.  I'm not a fan of sweet potatoes, but with the famous BurgerFuel Aioli, I ate almost the entire serving!

Kids Meals come with a drink and fries.  There are only two options - cheeseburger and natural nuggets.

If you're craving a great burger or chicken sandwich, look no further than BurgerFuel!

BurgerFuel
5 Tarawera Rd, Redwood Centre

Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
+64 7-348 4860

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Visit Rotorua: Regal Palms Resort

At the last minute, we decided to overnight in Rotorua, so we could visit as many attractions as we could in the area.

I received a recommendation that the Regal Palms Resort is great for families, and I couldn't agree more!

We were warmly welcomed at check-in with cookies and milk!

We stayed in a Superior Two Bedroom Suite, which included a large living room, full kitchen, dining table, and even a patio!

The water closet was tiny, but functional. The bathroom, however, was huge, with a spa pool as well as a shower. 

There was air conditioning only in the living room, however, but thankfully it did not get very hot in the suite.

The Regal Palms Resort also has a pool, a mini playground, and even a miniature golf area!

The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, DVD rentals, and even bikes for use!

Regal Palms Resort is great for families!

Regal Palms Resort
350 Fenton St, Glenholme
Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
+64 7-350 3232

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Visit New Zealand: Murray Linton Rose Garden

While getting my daily evening walk around our hotel in Rotorua, I stumbled upon the Murray Linton Rose Garden.

Having opened nearly 50 years ago, the Murray Linton Rose Garden has over 1500 plants.

There were so many different shades of blooms in vibrant colors.

 Adjacent to the Rose Garden is the Murray Linton Rose Garden Playspace.

Although it was nearly 8pm, the sun still hadn't completely set yet, so I told my husband to bring the kids over to the playground, where they eked out just enough time to play on the structures. 

 It was a short, but sweet visit to the Murray Rose Linton Garden.

Murray Rose Linton Garden
Fenton Park, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand

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Visit Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is one of the most amazing places on earth that I have ever visited, and if you are in the Rotorua area, I highly recommend this attraction as a must-visit.

A result of thousands and thousands of years of volcanic activity, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland's geothermal system extends over 18-square kilometers.  

There are three main features of Wai-O-Tapu - the Lady Knox Geyser, which is presented at 10:15am daily, the Geothermal Park, and the Mud Pool.

Our family visited the Geothermal Park, which can be done in three different walks:  Walk 1 = 45 minutes; Walk 1 & 2 = 60 minutes; Walks 1, 2 & 3 = 90 minutes. Our family did all 3 walks in just under 90 minutes, including time to take photos.

We saw numerous craters throughout Wai-O-Tapu, which were caused by acidic steam coming from underground, causing the ground to collapse. 

Different colors that blanket the craters are caused by oxidized minerals (purples - manganese oxide; red / brown - iron oxide; yellow - sulphur).

Mahanga Rua

Te Rua Uenuku (Rainbow Crater)

We also encountered the Ipu, which was a mud pool consisting of unrefined crude oil.

Ipu

One of my favorite features of Wai-O-Tapu was the Champagne Pool, the largest hot spring in New Zealand. It gets its name from bubbles caused by carbon dioxide, which creates a Champagne-like effect.

Champagne Pool

The colors that were created by nature were absolutely stunning, as was evident in the Artist's Palette.  This ever-evolving area will change colors depending on sunlight, water level and wind direction.  It's comprised of water that has overflown from the Champagne Pool, which brings with it minerals from far below the surface.  As the waters cool and evaporate, colorful minerals are revealed.

Even more unbelievable was the bright green Roto Karikitea.

Like the Artist's Palette, this crater is filled with excess water from the Champagne Pool.  The vibrant color is a result of a deposit of minerals being suspended in the water and refracting sunlight. 

It is totally worth it to do all three walks, because at the third walk, you will be treated to one of the most spectacular views ever.

The stunning greens of Lake Ngakoro against the blue sky created a picture-perfect photo op.

Lake Ngakoro

Lake Ngakoro Waterfall

Other notable features that were truly impressive were:

Alum Clifs

Papa Wera (eruption crater)

Te Puna Tio (Oyster Pool)

Rua Whanariki

Rua Owhanga

Te Rua Whaitiri

The different types of terrain, formations, and colors created by natural occurrences from below and above ground were simply incredible to see.

If you are hungry, like we were before and after the walk through Wai-O-Tapu, there is a convenient Cafe on site, where we ate grab-and-go sandwiches, as well as a Toastie.

After the trek, we indulged in Tip Top ice cream!

Wai-O-Tapu is definitely one of the most surreal places on Earth.

Wai-O-Tapu
201 Waiotapu Loop Rd

Rotorua 3073, New Zealand
+64 7-366 6333

Mahalo to the sponsor for the discounted tickets.

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