LOYALTOXENA.COM (formerly LOTOLUX.COM) - XENA AND LUCY INFORMATION - XENA LAND

Mount Eden

If are affraid of hights such as the Sky Tower then you can drive upto Mount Eden. Mount Eden is a volcanic cone with a grassy crater. As the highest natural point in Auckland City, you get 360 degrees views of Auckland and therefore it is a favorite tourist outlook. Go see some super views taken from Mount Eden down to Auckland

Rotorua

On the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island you find the town Rotorua. It is appro 60km south of Tauranga, +/- 100km south-east of Hamilton and 85km north-east of Taupo (holiday place of Lucy Lawless).

At Rotorua there are a number of geysers, notably the 20-m Pohutu geyser at Whakarewarewa, and hot mud pools located in the city. Even some motels do have a private hot spring pool. I advise you the Gibson motel where every room has it own private hot spring. Take a visite at the Maori Village of Whakarewarewa. The guide will tell you all about the Maori tradition which is still active today. People have there own community there and they live as before. Be prepared of the smell as the geysers and the mud pools bring up hot water and steam from down deep below earth.

Experience the Maori dance and songs and have a marvelous time.

Look at the pictures we took for you.

AUCKLAND

AND

OUTSIDE LOCATIONS

Some info about Auckland itself.

The largest urban area is Greater Auckland (Auckland metropolitan area) situated in the Norther Island. Auckland also has the largest polynesian population of any city in the world.

It is made up of : - Auckland City (the Hauraki Gulf islands are not included) - North Shore City

- The urban parts of Waitakare (Waitakere ranges are beautiful and you will find more info about that further on this website) - Manukau cities - Papakura District - Some urban parts of Rodney and Franklin Districts

The name in Maori is Tamaki Makau Rau. Auckland is also named Akarana.

Auckland is situated between the Hauraki Gulf / Pacific Ocean to the east, to the south East we have the Hunua Ranges (Hunua Falls, Xena's episode Altered States), to the south- west we have Manukau Harbour and Waitakere Ranges and smaller ones to the west and north west.

It is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies

Locations in Auckland to visit

The Auckland zoo : Just outside Auckland and you can find it easely when you are driving down the Highway. The exit is clearly indicated.

You are in for some hours of walk and you will see some nice animals, birds, reptiles, etc which another zoo cannot offer.

Go to see the pictures we took.

Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter

On your way to Mission Bay, on Tamaki Drive you find this amazing Antarctic Encounter. Kelly Tarlton’s is just 10 minutes’ drive or six kilometres (3.7 miles) from downtown Auckland. From there you also can overlook the beautiful Waitamata Harbour.

Kelly Tarlton's is a wonderland of snow, ice and amazing underwater sights created by the renowned New Zealand marine archeologist Kelly Tarlton You can explore in a snowcat the world of King Pinguins. This is unbelievable and must see this. No where else they have achieved this.

You can admire a Stingray of 2m long. There are sharks, stonefish, Piranhas, etc..... You will be amazed.

Go see the pictures of this event.

Huka Waterfalls

The Huka Falls are a set of waterfalls on the Waikato River that drains Lake Taupo. A few 100 metres upstream from the Huka Falls, the Waikato River narrows from approx 100 metres across into a hard rock granite canyon which is only 15m across. At the top of the falls is a set of small waterfalls dropping over about 8-10 metres. The most impressive Hukafalls Jet which brings you within a few meters of the bottom of the final stage.

See our pictures of the Huka Waterfalls

Auckland Sky Tower

The Sky tower is an observatio and radio tower located on the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets at Central business area of Auckland. It is 328 meters tall and is the 13th tallest member of the World Federation of Great Towers. The 328 m high Sky Tower has an important touristic and telecommunication roll since August 1997. It is the highest building of the half South globe region. The Tower is yearly visited by approx 1 mil.people. The 4 observatory platforms cover a view of 80km.And the Vertigo climb and Sky Jump do give you the ultimate adrenaline kick. At night the Tower glows like a torch and is more attractive the during the day. At X-mas the Tower is turned into a UFO with a lot of coloured lights.

There is a Sky deck which gives a beautiful view and the Orbit is a restaurant that turns around and within 60 minutes it make a full circle of 360 degrees giving you a complete overview of the city.

National Maritime Museum

This Museum is New Zealand's premier maritime museum. It is located at the waterfront of Auckland, close to the Viaduct Harbour. You find ships and models. There are also some nice exhibition pieces informing you about the New Zealands maritime history from the first polynesion explorers to modern day triumphs at the America's Cup. It is a nice museum and it is a part of your visit at Auckland. Do not miss it! We have some pictures of the ships we saw there.

Waitakere Dam

You have here the Waitakere Waterdam and the Waitakere Tramline.

Follow the Scenic Drive and leave Bethells Road/Beach on your right side, go directions Piha/Karakare. Keep on the Scenic drive. The parking is on the Scenic drive.

Waitakere Dam Walk 30 minutes for 1.4km. Going down is the easiest thing. Be prepared to get back!!!! A great adventure for the whole family. From the parking you have a road going down to the Dam and you will be treated with spectacular views. You can extend this walk by continuing along the scenic Waitakere Tramline Walk. It is very good indicated so you won't miss it.

The Waitakere Tramline is a 2 foot gauge train ride from the end of Christian Road/Swanson to the Waitakere Dam.

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Bethells Beach Cottage site and Xena-Lucy-Land site created on 22/5/2007.