It’s well known that we have two motor-loving guys in our household. Something that’s been a surprising discovery in our travels, is how much AJ loves quad biking. She’s the quietest family member and more likely to be cuddling a cute animal than revving an engine, but something about quad biking appeals to her. Aside from our Fiji quad biking adventure, we haven’t found anywhere else where BJ can ride a quad bike. Luckily, New Zealanders love their adventure outdoor pursuits and seem to be inclusive in their approach to tourism. While on the South Island we had such a successful bike tour at Franz Josef, it left AJ keen to do it again when we arrived on the North Island. Taupo Quad Adventures wasn’t far from where we were staying and the owner was happy to accommodate our needs.
While Hubby and AJ rode the quad bikes, BJ and I were chauffeured by the owner of Taupo Quad Adventures in a buggy. Peter, the owner, actually convinced me to give quad biking a go, but after a short distance I knew I was never going to feel at one with a quad bike and I abandoned it to join BJ in the buggy. I didn’t feel I had any control over the bike and that kind of freaked me out. Good to know one’s limits I figure.
The scenery and conditions were quite different in Taupo to those we’d had in Franz Josef so although it was the same activity, Hubby and AJ felt they had a new challenge.
It’s always disappointing on holidays to wake up to a drizzly overcast day but this is an all weather activity. On the day we visited, it was also a messy muddy one. So much so, AJ got bogged at one point, needing Hubby to rescue her. In the process of the rescue, AJ managed to splatter Hubby with a Pro Hart (artist) style muddy design. BJ loved being in the buggy on the native bush tracks and felt part of the tour riding alongside Hubby and AJ. He was simply doing it in a different way. He’s also such a people person, he enjoyed Peter’s company.
Take wet weather gear with you or be prepared to hire the gear at NZ$5 a piece. Quad biking isn’t a cheap activity, no doubt due to the insurances necessary to operate the business, so if you have wet weather gear this will save you quite a bit of money.
I suggest phoning or emailing in advance if you need to use the buggy as this isn’t part of the usual tour.
As always, it’s worth asking a tour operator if they can accommodate you in a different way. Not everyone will be able to, but if you don’t ask you won’t know.
You can read more about Taupo Quad Adventures on their website.
During our week in Taupo we found plenty of activities within easy reach, including –
Craters of the Moon – a wheelchair accessible geothermal walk.
Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland
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