.

National Buses & Tours

Magic Travellers Network (09 358 5600) One of the best ways of getting around New Zealand , these tours cover all major attractions in New Zealand ( and minor ones on request)
whether you want to do it all in two weeks or twelve months. Extremely flexible itineraries, like-minded passengers, and a guaranteed seat within 24 hours. Couldn't be easier or more fun.

Similarly Kiwi Experience (09 366 9830) operate a network of buses for the independent, fun-loving traveller.

If you want to use a national scheduled coachline to get around, there's also:

• Newmans( Travel Centre, Gascoigne St 07 378 9032)
• Intercity (Travel Centre, Gascoigne St - 07 378 9032)
• Guthreys (Taupo Visitor Centre, Tongariro St - 07 376 0027).

Getting to Tongariro National Park

• Tongariro Expeditions for year round door to door service to Tongariro National Park, including the Tongariro Crossing . Optional extras include guiding services, equipment hire and lunch ( PH 0800 828 763) www.tongariroexpeditions.com
• Alpine HotBus for daily transport to Tongariro National Park and the Tongariro Crossing from Taupo and Turangi    www.alpinehotbus.co.nz  ( PH 0508 468 287)
• Alpine Scenic Tours also provide transport to and from Tongariro National Park ( PH 07 378 7412)

Rental Vehicles
There are plenty of cheap rental options in New Zealand and you could cut yourself a deal with the rental company for long-term hire. Conveniently located offices throughout New Zealand.

• Avis Rent-A-Car Ltd Cnr Spa Rd & Ruapehu St (07 378 6305)
• Rent-a-Dent 7 Nukuhau St (07 378 2740)
• Budget Rental Cnr Titiraupunga & Tuwharetoa Sts (0800 652 227)
• Ace Rentals (0800 502277)

One of the great things about New Zealand is the thousands of remote places you can park up and camp in. If you fancy doing your own thing for a while, think about renting a campervan or motorhome.

• Maui (09 255 0620)
• Britz (0800 831900)

Roadside Assistance

Most rental places will cover you for breakdown and provide a freephone number in the event of vehicular meltdown. If you're travelling in your own car, you'll need to make your own arrangements. Most of the roadside rescue companies will let you join on an as-needs-basis. Just make sure you have a credit card handy.

AA Breakdown Services 0800 224 357
State Roadside Rescue 0800 101 11

Airlines
Air New Zealand Call Free (0800 737 000)

Taupo Buses & Tours
For getting around Taupo and local tours:

• Paradise Tours also has tours to Orakei Korako (07 378 9955) or (0279049440)
• Lake Taupo's Hotbus - Return transport to Lake Taupo's most natural visited attractions. Tours depart on the hour, every hour, from I site Visitor Centre 10.00am - 3.00pm. (0508 468 287
• Taupo Double Decker Bus Tours of Taupo ( 07 377 0774)

Taxis

• Taupo Taxis Gascoigne St (07 378 5100)
• Go Cabs ( 07 378 5886)
• Top Cab Company 11 Tuwharetoa St (07 378 9250)

Travel Agents
National and international bookings:

• Flight Centre 19 Horomatangi St (07 377 3554)
• Travel For Less Taupo/Turangi (07 378 9028)
• House of Travel 37 Horomatangi St (07 377 2700)