New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 8: Mount Victoria and driving back north to Bulls and Skotel Alpine Resort, Tongariro National Park

On day 8 of our travels in New Zealand, we did a visit to Mount Victoria Wellington before driving north back towards Skotel Alpine Resort via Bulls…

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 8 – Mount Victoria Wellington

This morning, we started our drive up to Mount Victoria Wellington (good to include the city because there’s also a Mount Victoria in Auckland and elsewhere) via Alexandra Road. Important to use Alexandra Road, else you’d be navigating through roads with cars of the neighbourhood right next to where you drive. As it was a windy, the route up was rather clear…

Clear route up to Mount Victoria Wellington New Zealand

Arriving at Mount Victoria Wellington New Zealand

The winds still continued as after we parked so it was a quick couple of photos up at Mount Victoria Wellington…

Blown Away - Information atop Mount Victoria Wellington New Zealand — Blown Away – Information atop Mount Victoria Wellington New Zealand

Up at Mount Victoria Wellington New Zealand

Circling around Mount Victoria Wellington

Views of Wellington from Mount Victoria New Zealand

Cloudy day at Mount Victoria Wellington New Zealand

Another view of Wellington Harbour from Mount Victoria Wellington New Zealand

The wind started to pick up and after reading the “Blown Away” information at the top of Mount Victoria Wellington, we were actually quite conscious of being blown away literally. As we ascended the stairs to the viewing point, there were several huge gusts of wind that caused us to lose our footing for a little. Then, we remembered the Wahine, the poster and the power of the winds in Wellington. Hence, we didn’t go further up the viewing point.

Driving from Wellington to Skotel Alpine Resort via Bulls

Enroute, we stopped by Z to get some petrol before stumbling upon some beautiful rolling hills at Paremata (browns bay beach reserve)…

2bearbear at Rolling hills at Paremata (Browns Bay Beach Reserve)

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 8 – Bulls New Zealand

One of many charging bull statues in Bulls New Zealand

At Bulls, we started with a meal at Heavenly Pasta. Though it was not the best pasta we’ve had (the best got to be the Tagliatelle at Jamie’s)

Bulls was where we stopped by for a quick bite and we were surprised to find so much character in this quaint little town…

Heavenly Pasta Bulls Mushroom Tagliatelle, Tomato and Artichoke Fettuccine and Flat White Review

This time at Heavenly Pasta, we had the Mushroom Tagliatelle ($13.5) and Tomator and Artichoke Fettuccine ($15) with additional bacon ($3). We definitely enjoyed the creamy and cheesy tagliatelle more. Also had a flat white ($5.5) during this visit. Thereafter, we scoured around town and saw Scullys!

Scullys Store in Bulls New Zealand - The Only Scullys Store in the World — Scullys Store in Bulls New Zealand – The Only Scullys Store in the World

As we shopped around Wellington, we noticed this brand called Scullys Home and Beauty and we were surprise to find a shop in Bulls. What’s more surprising is that this particular Scullys is the ONLY shop that they have in the world. Hence, we took the opportunity to do some shopping and bought about $100 worth of products including bubble bath, shower gel and hand cream.

Scullys Bubble Bath, Cream and Shower Gel from Bulls NZ

Unfortunately though that a scent that we found very refreshing – the laced pear flavour, was sold out for the soy candle. Hence, we could only settle for the shower gel. Still great nonetheless. We did another visit to Mobil and pumped $50. The attendant also gave us the Mobil card which was good for an immediate $1.5 discount (or 6 cents per litre)

Beautiful views enroute from Wellington to Tongariro National Park

Car we rented during New Zealand Travels North Island

Rocky beach views enroute to Tongariro National Park

Another rocky beach view enroute to Tongariro National Park

Driving towards Skotel Alpine Resort Tongariro National Park

Makatote Viaduct Tongariro National Park New Zealand

Enroute, we caught some amazing views, including the Makatote Viaduct – characterised by a red truss bridge crossing. Here, you know that you’re close to Tongariro National Park. Shortly after, we arrived at Skotel Alpine Resort, another major highlight of our trip this time…

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 8 – Skotel Alpine Resort Tongariro National Park

We arrived at Skotel Alpine Resort (base of Mount Ruapehu) in the evening and were able to park right up front to the resort. As we booked pretty early, we were able to snag a room with private toilet for $100 per night.

TV and ensuite bathroom in Standard Queen Room Skotel Alpine Resort

Standard Queen Room Skotel Alpine Resort Review

One of the first thing we noticed when we visited the bar and restaurant area were the beautiful views that Skotel Alpine Resort offers…

Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review - Restaurant and Bar Amazing Views — Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review – Restaurant and Bar Amazing Views

Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review - Restaurant and Bar Dining Area (Couple Seats with a view) — Skotel Alpine Resort Facilities Review – Restaurant and Bar Dining Area (Couple Seats with a view)

After settling in, the skies started to clear up and we went for a walk at the Tawhai Falls nearby…

Entrance of Tawhai Falls Walk New Zealand

We were also in time to catch some kids who hopped over barriers just to jump into the Tawhai Falls. Crazy. Things you do when you’re young…

Kids taking the plunge at Tawhai Falls (aka Gollums Pool) NZ

Just before taking the plunge at Tawhai Falls (aka Gollums Pool) New Zealand

2bearbear at Tawhai Falls (aka Gollums Pool) Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

We reached back to the hotel and had some nachos ($21) along with dark beer on tap (Monteith’s Black – $11). This time, we met a sweet Danish couple who were playing some card games. Had some conversations about our countries, educational systems and so forth. Great conversations over some really fantastic beef nachos with ingredients such as beef, sour cream, guacamole, kidney beans and cheese. The beer had a dark wheat and woody fragrance as well. Yum!

Skotel Alpine Resort Bar / Pub with draft beers

Skotel Alpine Resort Bar / Pub Nachos ($21) and Dark Draft Beer (Monteith's Black - $11) — Skotel Alpine Resort Bar / Pub Nachos ($21) and Dark Draft Beer (Monteith’s Black – $11)

At about 7pm, the weather cleared and we were able to enjoy sunset as well as a beautifully formed FULL rainbow right from our hotel!

The end of the rainbow as seen from Skotel Alpine Resort

2bearbear and wine at the boot of the car from Skotel Alpine Resort NZ

2bearbear witnessing rainbow off Skotel Alpine Resort

Thankful for the rainbow of God and His covenant

Sunset as seen from Skotel Alpine Resort before returning back

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Thank the Lord for the beautiful views of nature that we saw this day. The full rainbow reminded us of His goodness and faithfulness as well. In the evening, we had chips and chocs while watching HGTV – though it was not HD. Still, we were excited to check out what Mount Ruapehu and the Skotel Alpine Resort offers on Day 8 of our travels in New Zealand!

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New Zealand North Island Travel Itinerary

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 1: Flying SQ Business Class and Visiting the New SilverKris Lounge!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 2: Arriving in Auckland and Hanging out in Hamilton

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 3: Visiting Hobbiton, Lake Rotorua and Eat Streat in Rotorua

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4: Mud Spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua, Huka Falls, Dixie Browns and Millenium Manuel Hotel Taupo

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 5: Mini Golf, Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise, Cornerstone Taphouse and Steaks at Edgewater Restaurant Taupo!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 6: Mission Estate Winery, Te Awanga Estate, Remutaka Crossing and Hey Day Beer Co Wellington

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 7: Breakfast at Wellington Sea Market, Fork and Brewer Craft Beer, Wellington Museum, Rogue and Vagabond, Shelly Bay Wellywood Sign

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 8: Mount Victoria and driving back north to Bulls and Skotel Alpine Resort, Tongariro National Park

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 9: From Skotel Alpine Resort to Tama Lake, Mount Ngauruhoe with views of Mount Ruapehu

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 10: Stopping at Taumarunui enroute to Huhu Chalet and Waitomo Ruakuri Caves!