Make the most of your NRL 9s weekend
Billed as the “Greatest Weekend”, the NRL Nines returns to Auckland on January 31st and February 1st, a carnival two days with back to back on-field action and entertainment.
The Dick Smith sponsored knock-out tournament will have the world’s greatest Rugby League talent on show from all sixteen NRL clubs, with nearly 300 players competing for NZ$2.6 million in prize money.
And while not quite sold-out organisers expect close to 47,000 fans each day, the total capacity of Eden Park stadium.
The action of 31 games over two days will be enthralling, but if you are planning to extend your visit, we have some exciting ideas for you, all within easy striking distance of Auckland.
To make the most of a couple of extra days away the best and most affordable option is to find a cheap car rental, such as those from New Zealand Discount Car Rentals.
Based at Auckland International Airport, with a large range of vehicles and prices starting at $14.95 per day for a short rental period, you won’t find better value.
While Auckland is a playground with lots to do and see, try heading out of town to experience what New Zealand has to offer.
Here are a few ideas:
Waitomo Caves
High on the list of places to visit for Kiwis and visitors alike, these glowworm caves are world famous and unique because the glowworms in the caves only live in New Zealand.
Looking like a galaxy, thousands of these tiny critters light up the walls and ceilings with their unmistakable pin-pricks of light.
If you prefer, you can see this wondrous sight sedately by taking an underground boat trip or meandering on foot. Take a stroll through the Aranui Cave to see spectacular stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones, or the Ruakuri Cave, New Zealand’s largest underground walking tour that with clever design has full wheelchair and pushchair access.
But if you want a little more excitement feast your eyes on the adventurous tours run by the Legendary Black Water Rafting Company. With their expert guides you can abseil, weave, jump, climb and float through the subterranean wonderland.
Whatever your flavour of excitement the Waitomo Caves is a must-see and easy day-trip at 195 kilometres or a 2.5 hour drive south of Auckland.
Rotorua
A volcanic and geothermal treat, and a place of fun, adventure, extreme sports and relaxation, Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s main tourist destinations with a huge array of activities on offer.
Its land is alive with the hissing and bubbling of geothermal activity at places like Whakarewarewa, a living Maori Village, Wai-O-tapu famous for the Champagne Lake and being New Zealand’s most colourful volcanic area, and the aptly named Hell’s Gate where steam, boiling pools and erupting waters keep your attention.
The heat of Rotorua’s geothermal waters means it has lots of spas, such as the Polynesian Spa, voted as one of the top 10 in the world.
Around Rotorua there are chances to explore, walks to enjoy and lakes for boating, water-skiing, paddling or swimming.
With tourists flocking to the area year round the adventure tourism industry has also grown. For families, some of the highlights include the Luge that zooms downhill through the native forest, one of New Zealand’s oldest farm experiences at the Agrodome and mountain biking through the Red Wood Forest.
And there’s heaps more including river rafting, jet boating, Zorbing and New Zealand’s only native forest zip line tour through the tree tops.
There’s too much to talk about so if you want a full run down on what’s on offer you can find out more here.
Fishing trips and charters
If catching a fish is high on your agenda why not try your hand at fly fishing or lake fishing in the centre of the North Island.
Near Rotorua are eleven fishable lakes with plenty of fly fishing streams and rivers as well. There are also 4WD, cruise and helicopter fishing options too.
Or you can travel a little further south to the Tongariro River, New Zealand’s premier fly fishing water and the most fished river in the country with a world-wide reputation for the size, number and vigour of the trout and the challenge they present to anglers.
Deep sea fishing is also popular and you can head out from Auckland Harbour or go further afield east to Tairua and try the clearer and less busy waters off the coast of the Coromandel peninsula.
Golf and more golf
New Zealand has one of the highest number of golf courses per head of population in the world so finding a course is not too difficult. There are some world class courses across the country and many of all standards in and around Auckland.
Beaches galore
In a summer that’s setting records the beach may be the place for you to relax and cool off, and there are some stunners in and around Auckland.
Mission Bay, is a short drive east of Downtown and a place full of activity from people roller-blading to playing volley-ball or soccer, having fun on the sand or enjoying the bars and restaurants.
Piha, just 40 minutes away on the West Coast, is a majestic, black sand surfer’s paradise with dramatic scenery once featured in the famous Kiwi movie The Piano.
An hour and 20 minutes north of Auckland, near the trendy market town of Matakana, is Tawharanui, a stunning sandy strand with enough surf for boogie boarding and as a national park there’s not a building in sight!
And if you just want to stay around Auckland for a few days there’s lots of temptations including the lively nightlife, bars and restaurants galore, adventure pursuits and because the City is sandwiched between the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean it’s a water lover’s dream.
So whatever you are planning for your extended stay around the NRL Nines, a cheap car rental will give you the flexibility to go where you want and when you want, at a good price.