Beginning in Auckland, the Thermal Explorer Highway takes you through the lush pastureland of the Waikato region. An optional stopover at the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves is an experience you won't want to miss, then on to the geothermal city of Rotorua.
After Lake Taupo you have the option of detouring to Tongariro National Park, then it's over the hills to the wine country of Napier and Hastings.
Arrive Auckland
Take the southern Motorway from Auckland and continue on down State Highway 1 towards Hamilton.
Choose from two options for your route to Rotorua. The first takes you on a detour to visit Waitomo and its famous glowworm caves, while the second takes you on a direct route to Rotorua.
Auckland - Waitomo (200 kms - 3 hrs 10 mins)
Drive through the Waikato region and admire the rural landscapes around you. On your way you'll pass through the small, but culturally important town of Ngaruawahia. The Waikato's oldest settlement and the meeting place of the Waikato Maoridom and the location of Turangawaewae Marae where the Maori King, Teheitia Paki, resides. Lying under the shadow of the sacred burial ground of Taupiri Mountain Ngaruawahia is also linked to many important Maori political movements and leaders.
About 1 ½ hours south of Auckland is Hamilton. With a population of approximately 159,000, Hamilton is New Zealand's largest inland city, connected to the ocean by the mighty Waikato river. If you have time to stop, check out its themed gardens and the local zoo which has the largest free flight aviary in the Southern Hemisphere - an excellent chance to fi nd out about New Zealand's distinctive native birds. The southern end of Hamilton's main street offers a good choice of restaurants, cafes and bars.
From Hamilton take a detour off the Thermal Explorer Highway on to State Highway 3 to the small village of Waitomo, stopping on the way at Otorohanga, home to the Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park where you'll see New Zealand's largest live Kiwi collection.
The village of Waitomo is a popular tourist spot where you can take a guided tour to discover the magic of the glow-worm caves. Massive subterranean caverns are adorned with stalactites and stalagmites and as you glide silently through the darkness on a water-borne barge, glow-worms overhead create the effect of an eerie underground sky.
But if that is not exciting enough for you, vast caving channels provide the thrill of black water rafting, caving and abseiling.
Above ground activities include 4WD biking, horse riding, a kiwi culture show, Angora rabbit show, wildlife park and drive-yourself jet boats. Extensive bush surrounds the district, providing scenic attractions that include the natural Limestone Bridge, Marokopa Falls and many bush walks.
Overnight stop suggestion:
- Otorohanga Holiday Park
Waitomo - Rotorua (166 kms - 2 hrs 45 mins)
There are two options for travelling between Waitomo and Rotorua. We recommend you follow State Highway 3 South to the farming town of Te Kuiti then Highway 30 through rural
countryside to the Mangakino Hydro Station, alongside the Waikato River to the Atiamuri Hydro Station, then on to Rotorua arriving from the South.
Located in the heart of an active thermal area and surrounded by natural beauty, including 16 lakes teaming with trout, Rotorua is internationally famous for its geysers, steaming lakes, boiling mud pools and silica terraces.
The heartland of Maoridom, Rotorua is a major centre of Maori culture and the home of the Arawa people who have lived, worked and played there for more than six centuries, For more than 160 years they have been guiding visitors through their geothermal backyard, and their welcoming tradition is passed down from generation to generation - enjoy the warm spirit of this living culture.
Complementing Rotorua's cultural heritage, are the endless thrill, leisure and sporting options that make Rotorua an adventure playground.
Overnight stop suggestions:
- Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
- Cosy Cottage Holiday Park
Auckland - Rotorua, direct (235 kms - 3 hrs 35 mins)
An alternative route is to travel direct from Auckland to Rotorua.
Following the Thermal Explorer Highway south from Hamilton, pass through the historic town of Cambridge with its tree lined streets. A major centre for New Zealand's equine industry, the
district boasts many of the country's most important thoroughbred stud farms.
Cambridge offers you a variety of things to do: choose from browsing the numerous antique shops, art galleries or craft stores to walking the heritage trail where you can view a potpourri of architectural styles and impressive buildings, some dating back to the turn of the 20th century. And if you're looking for thrills, try jet boating, jet skiing, trout fishing or kayaking on the mighty Waikato River.
Continue on through the picturesque Waikato countryside highlighted by the Waikato River with its Hydro Power stations.
Stop at the interesting little craft town of Tirau enroute to Rotorua. Tirau's striking Information Centre made of corrugated iron, features a large Dog's head. The interior mural depicting local scenes was painted by Tirau artist Fred Luckman and is a much admired feature of the building. In April 2005 a stunning new stained glass window was officially unveiled.
Next door to the Information Centre stands the Big Sheep Gallery, also made of corrugated iron and topped by a Sheep's head. Here you can find New Zealand's largest selection of handcrafted woollen items.
The Tirau community has claimed corrugated-iron art as its own and many examples on local buildings throughout the town add colour and interest, helping to make Tirau unique.
Travelling towards Rotorua, you will encounter the unusual terrain of the Mamaku district. Mini volcanic cones dot the landscape, some showing their solidifi ed lava core. The last part of your journey to Rotorua takes you past the gondola and luge rides of Mt Ngongataha.
Overnight stop suggestion:
- Cambridge Motor Park
Rotorua - Taupo (82 kms - 1 hr 20 mins)
After a short drive from Rotorua along State Highway 5 you will arrive at Taupo, situated on the shores of New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo. The lake was formed as a result of a massive
volcanic eruption in AD186, and is roughly the size of Singapore. Enroute you will have passed through rolling pasture land and some of New Zealand's large pine forests, the latter currently
being removed to make way for pasture land. Do not be surprised to see steam arising from the side of the roadway as this area still has plenty of thermal activity. As you approach Taupo you will pass the Wairakei Geothermal area where there is an excellent Visitor Information Centre.
5 kms north of town are the mighty Huka Falls. Every second, 250,000 litres of water spill over Huka Falls making for a spectacular sight and magnifi cent photo opportunities. New Zealand is only the second country in the world to harness natural steam for power generation and at nearby Aratiatia Rapids you can view a controlled water release from the hydroelectric dam, at approximately 10am, noon, 2pm and 4 pm daily.
From Taupo you can head off down the Thermal Explorer Highway to the extension called the Volcanic Loop, where you can view impressive Mount Ruapehu, explore many of the walks
in the area or take a trip on the mighty Tongariro River. The Tongariro National Park is rich in cultural identity. Its dramatic scenery and unique land forms combine to make the Tongariro
Alpine Crossing a world-renowned trek, rated as the best one day trek in New Zealand and listed by many in the top 10 day treks in the world. Many who complete the 17 kilometre journey
will tell you it's a challenge and an adventure, the climbs can be steep and the weather unpredictable.
Overnight stop suggestions:
- Taupo Great Lake Holiday Park
- Taupo All Seasons Holiday Park
Taupo - Napier (143 kms - 2hrs)
A pleasant drive from Taupo will take you into the heart of the Hawke's Bay area, well known for its fruit growing and wine industry, the latter producing around 60% of New Zealand's wine product.
Napier's now famous Art Deco reputation was a result of the massive earthquake of February 1931 and the subsequent rebuilding of the city in the Art Deco style so popular in the 1930's. Registering 7.9 on the Richter scale, the earthquake levelled almost all of the buildings in Napier and raised the sea bed by 2.5 metres.
Overnight stop suggestions:
- Bay View Snapper Holiday Park
- Arataki Holiday Park, Havelock North
Napier - Wellington (319 kms - 4hrs 50 mins)
Alternatively, you can travel to Wellington direct from Taupo, or travel via Turangi to Taumarunui to link with the Forgotten World Highway.
Taupo - Wellington (370 kms - 5 hrs)
Taupo - Turangi - Taumarunui (112 kms - 2 hrs)
THINGS TO SEE & DO
The Waikato Region
- Waitomo Glow-worm caves - awesome limestone caves lit by millions of glow-worms
- Billy Black's Kiwi Culture show at Woodlyn Park, Waitomo.A selection of underground caving adventures, from 45 minutes to the Lost World Epic of 7 hours duration
- The 59 hectare Hamilton gardens
- 11 km walkway along the banks of the Waikato River from the heart of Hamilton City
- Otorohanga Kiwi House and Bird Park
- Cambridge, world famous for thoroughbred horse breeding
- Big Sheep Wool Gallery in Tirau
- If you play golf, enjoy the experience of the picturesque country course at Okoroire near Tirau. Play all day for NZ$13 and enjoy a pub lunch at the historic Okoroire Hotel overlooking the course
Rotorua
- Geyser displays, in particular Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Pohutu erupts 8% of the day, shooting boiling water 31 metres into the air.
- Lady Knox Geyser at Wai-O-Tapu, 27 kms south of the city
- The Blue and Green Lakes, named for their refl ective colours, both surrounded by dense native bush and towering tree ferns
- The 30 minute bush walk to Okere Falls, 16 kms north of the city
- Tamaki Maori Village - Hangi and Concert
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley
- River Rats: White water rafting (all grades)
- Rainbow Springs and Kiwi Encounter
- Te Puia -The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute
- Agrodome and the world famous one-hour Sheep Show Note: Pre-booking of tours and attractions in Taupo is advised
Taupo
- Lake Taupo for swimming, sailing and fishing
- Try the Huka Jet, 30 minute thrill ride to the very base of the Falls. Operates daily from 9am to 5pm. Allow 1 hour
- Craters of the moon, a free, geothermal area just north of town
- Be sure to stop at the marina in town to witness the sheer volume of crystal-clear water fl owing from the lake
- River Jet Thermal Safari: An adventure that will introduce a slice of New Zealand scenery that only a select few have ever seen - abundant bird life, pine forest, steaming volcanic river banks and trout feeding area, plus a freedom walk through Orakei Korako thermal area. Departs 10.30am daily. Allow 2 ½ - 3 hours
- Taupo Scenic Cruises and Fishing: Visit the historic Maori rock carvings and other points of interest
- Helistar Helicopters: Choose from 10 minute flights over the Huka Falls or a 90 minute Mountain Magic flight to the dramatic, arid, living volcanoes of the Tongariro World Heritage Park
Note: Pre-booking of tours and attractions in Taupo is advised
Volcanic Loop
- Join one of the many guided walks in the World Heritage Tongariro National Park
- Experience the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, rated as the best one day trek in New Zealand
- Visit the Waiouru Army Museum
- Enjoy winter or spring skiing on the North Islands most popular ski resorts - Whakapapa and Turoa
Napier
- Follow one of the area's wine trails to visit some of the many wineries in the district. Taste their product right at the cellar door. New Zealand wineries often have wonderful restaurants where you can match your chosen wine to good food. Whatever your wine preferences, you are bound to find an ultra premium example in Hawke's Bay
- Join one of the Art Deco walking tours from the Napier Visitor Centre
- Visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand or Marineland of New Zealand
- Take in the commanding views from Te Mata Peak, 11 kms south of Hastings
- Between November and March visit the gannet sanctuary at Cape Kidnappers, one of only two mainland colonies of this magnificent bird in the world
- Visit the statue of ‘Pania of the Reef,' presented to the City of Napier in 1954. An old Maori legend tells how Pania, lured by the siren voices of the ‘sea people,' swam out to meet them. When she endeavoured to return to her lover, she was transformed into the reef which now lies beyond the Napier Breakwater